1989 40 HP Evinrude having issues

[Olekristine]

My baby was having issues dying at idle or coming down off plane to idle. After which it would be very difficult to start again. The whole motor also shaked pretty badly. After replacing the fuel filter, spark plugs and fuel line with no better results i decided to rebuild the carbs.

I am very new to outboard motor repair so please be patient with me.

I soaked the carbs in Chem dip and blew out ever hole i could see with carb cleaner and compressed air. Replaced most items that came with my carb kit (some were for other models) but was hesitant to remove the low speed needle valve assembly as it looked like it had to be exactly correct. Of course i realized this after already turning the head a few times. I know i didn't get it back exactly right. Does anyone know the correct turn from all the way in? The floats are level so i don't think that is my issue.

The motor idles better with less shake but i feel like it is idling to high. If i leave it in idle or low RPM it makes a almost hick up sound and die. It will start back up and run a little while and do the same thing. Almost like its not getting enough or to much fuel. The motor runs great wide open or at mid range but struggles at low to idle speeds. Could the issue be with the lackluster adjustment i made to the low speed needle valve or something else i may have done wrong rebuilding the carb? Would adjusting the idle maybe help? Im lost on this as it is my first boat.

Another question is have has to do with the fuel pump. I have the Clymers manual (which isn't very good) and it makes it sound like my motor is supposed to be equipped with a fuel pump. However no such pump exists. The boat came with a 6 gallon remote fuel tank which the book indicates that the motor should have a fuel pump. Am i missing something here? Motor model number is TE40ELCEC.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[racerone]

????-----Your motor has a fuel pump !----Just follow the hose that goes into the motor till you get to the pump.

 

[oldboat1]

It's a two stroke motor, so it needs a mix of gas and 2-stroke oil. If it's original, you should have an accu-mix oil tank in the fuel tank -- would add two stroke oil to the oil tank, and the oil and gas would be automatically mixed when you squeeze the hand pump to transfer fuel to the engine. Unless it's been converted to pre-mix, which means you mix oil and gas manually at a 50:1 ratio (the old fashioned way). One way or the other, you need to be sure you are getting an oil mix.

You may just need to adjust the idle mix screw on top of the carburetor (the one you didn't want to move). With your carb work, you will want to reset that needle. Turn it clockwise until it lightly seats -- don't force it. Then back it out 1 1/2 turns, and leave it there to start and run the engine. With the engine warmed up and at idle, rotate the needle 1/8 turn clockwise. The motor rpms may increase, and you will slow down the engine with the twist grip. Then adjust the needle again. At some point the engine will either stall or cough (called a lean sneeze). Back the needle out about 1/4 turn, and you should be close to the correct idle mix (air/fuel).

More to the story, but this should get you going. If running well, let it idle for a while. Don't be afraid to tweak the idle needle setting (always small adjustments).

btw, you need to be doing this either in the lake (preferred) or in a large barrel or container. Don't use muffs.

 

[Olekristine]

The oil is pre mixed by the VRO system. It was never converted to pre mix. When adjusting the needle do you adjust the top one or the bottom carb? Both have them.

 

[oldboat1]

yup. both carbs.

 

[Olekristine]

Thanks for the help! I'll give it a shot and let you know the results. Is it normal for the engine to shake back and forth or was that just from a rough idle before I cleaned the carbs?

 

[oldboat1]

little bit is normal at a low idle. See what you can do with the idle mix adjustment. Look for stickies on idle adjustment and "link and sync" procedure, maybe a couple of searches for threads. And could post a clip if the shaking seems abnormal. Should be able to shift into gear without stalling, and throttle up and down smoothly. In gear in the water, the motor should idle at around 650-700 rpms. if you have a tach in your boat.

 

[Olekristine]

Do I adjust the top carb (low speed) at idle and the bottom (high speed) at full throttle then? Not in gear of course. That might be difficult if the motor is shaking with somewhat limited access to the screw. OH and by the way my motor is not a twist grip. I have a 1989 tracker Pro17 with console.

 

[racerone]

??---Each carburetor feeds one cylinder.------The mixture adjustment is for low speed / idling.----The high speed jet is in the bottom of EACH carburetor bowl and is not adjustable.

 

[Olekristine]

But there are adjustment screws on both carbs. Im confused.

 

[Olekristine]

Nevermind. I get it. Had to read your reply 5 fives times but i got it

 

[Olekristine]

So just for the sake of clarity. I adjust both the low speed needle valves on each carbs equally? Or one at a time? The procedure is rather confusing to me as i am somewhat handy but not with boat motors.