1991 Evinrude 60hp VRO - Won't Idle

[Demonical]

Engine will fire and run 'decent', when revved out, but when throttle is dropped to minimum the damn thing just won't idle.
We were trying to troll with this engine (my boat is a 1991 Lund 16' fwiw), something that has never been an issue before.
I believe I have jets in the carbs that might be gummed up?
What would you suggest I look at to get this thing running properly at idle throttle position?
Should I try fuel additives, like 'Sea Foam' or is there a recommended carb cleaning solution?

 

[racerone]

You start with a compression test.----Post the actual numbers!-----Does hose for tell tale come off the side of the block or off the top of the block ?----Water pump impeller replaced every 5 years ?

 

[Demonical]

You start with a compression test.----Post the actual numbers!-----Does hose for tell tale come off the side of the block or off the top of the block ?----Water pump impeller replaced every 5 years ?

1. I've never done a compression test. Not sure how on this engine?
2. What is a 'tell tale'?
3. Water pump impeller changed once in lifetime of the engine (this year). But the engine has always has excellent water flow.

 

[Crosbyman]

check utubes lots of tutorials to get you going

you can try a can of seafoam...some like it some don't believe in it

if no success and comp#s are ok try a carb clean-up

 

[broken boat 19]

if you do a lot of trolling you may need to replace the spark plugs

 

[Demonical]

I pulled the plugs and inspected them, they are like new.

For the record, my boat has really low hours on it. We really only take it out once a year, usually just for 3-4 days fishing trip, and then we mainly just run down the lake 1/4 mile, anchor and still fish.
When I say I used to do a lot of trolling, that was years ago, when we used to live in Swan Hills, Alberta, and we'd run up to Lesser Slave Lake and fish there for Walleye.

So this last weekend we made a trip up to Lesser Slave, the Walleye weren't hitting real good still fishing, so decided to try trolling, and that's where the engine issues were.
It would stall, when at idle/trolling throttle setting.

 

[racerone]

Put a new impeller in every 5 years.----The "tell tale " is a term used for the water pump indicator ( pisser ) on your motor.----There was a service bulletin out in 1994 to move the tell tale hose fitting to the top of the block.----So I doubt yours has been done.

 

[Demonical]

^ Thank you sir! What is the advantage of locating that?

On my 1991 60hp, there is a rubber grommet, lower (left?) of the engine cover, where the water discharges. It's easily visible on my engine...

 

[racerone]

Yes we all know where that water comes out on the lower cowling.-----The simple point I am try to make is WHERE does other end of the wee hose attach to the engine ?----On the side of the exhaust manifold ?----On the top of the block near the lifting bracket ?----There were cooling issues with air trapped in the block.----Many motors suffered from #2 cylinder scoring.---Canadian Tire has a wonderful , easy to use compression tester.

 

[Demonical]

I started watching a Youtube vid tonight, and the guy on there says that he immediately disabled the VRO system on one of these 3 cyl 60hp Evinrude engines. And has run it on pre-mixed gas since new.
What does everybody think of that? I had not heard of that idea before seeing it mentioned on that vid...

 

[IDFISHER]

I started watching a Youtube vid tonight, and the guy on there says that he immediately disabled the VRO system on one of these 3 cyl 60hp Evinrude engines. And has run it on pre-mixed gas since new.
What does everybody think of that? I had not heard of that idea before seeing it mentioned on that vid...

I bought a '94 60 HP with the VRO already disabled and haven't had any issues running it that way. I think it's pretty common for people to disable the VRO and run premix out of fear of VRO failure. But from what i've read the VRO pumps are quite reliable and that fear is unfounded. My mechanic who is a Evinrude/Johnsons specialist recommended hooking mine back up.

 

[Demonical]

Looking at carb kits does OEM parts matter? What is the best source for these carb kits?

 

[Demonical]

^ fyi I looked up Evinrude parts lists through this link off iBoats site and ordered carb rebuild kits.

 

[racerone]

Carburetor kits will fix it.

 

[oldboat1]

I believe your carbs have the air mix adjustment needle up at the top. If so, you might try opening each needle about 1/8 turn and see if the engine will idle/troll better when warmed up. Continue if no improvement, but remember how far you adjust (counter clockwise is richer -- more gas).

Doesn't replace a carb cleaning and rebuild, but might be sufficient right now.

 

[flyingscott]

I bought a '94 60 HP with the VRO already disabled and haven't had any issues running it that way. I think it's pretty common for people to disable the VRO and run premix out of fear of VRO failure. But from what i've read the VRO pumps are quite reliable and that fear is unfounded. My mechanic who is a Evinrude/Johnsons specialist recommended hooking mine back up.

I would not hook up a VRO that has not been used in a long time. I personally would start new,

 

[Demonical]

I finally had time to pull the carbs off the old Evinrude.

If somebody can answer I would sure appreciate advice.

Question 1: I've had my carbs soaking in this solvent for a day. Is that long enough or give it another day?
Question 2: Do I need to remove these screws to clean out orifices?

Comment: what a ridiculous fuel supply on these engines! Stupid little plastic crap! I snapped 2 of the nipples off when attempting to disconnect the fuel lines.
So new parts are on order, so no timeline for final re-assembly.

 

[Demonical]

I bottomed out the idle adjustment needle (very gently), verified ~2-1/8 turns to correct position (all 3 carbs were the same).
At first I did not remove the Welsh plugs, but I decided I had to do that, to ensure I could check the low speed jet.
Removed Welsh plugs, shone a flashlight in all orifices and found congealed oil plugging the low speed orifice on all 3 carbs.
That was after soaking the carb overnight.
Without pulling that Welsh plug, the solvent didn't penetrate into that jet.

With the Welsh plug removed, I put the carb back into the solvent. After just 1 hour, the oil that was in there was completely gone.
Went ahead and went back over every orifice/jet with compressed air, and carb is spotlessly clean now.

Going to reassemble and get carbs reinstalled on the engine.

She should purr like a kitten once it's all put back together!

 

[Demonical]

I bottomed out the idle adjustment needle (very gently), verified ~2-1/8 turns to correct position (all 3 carbs were the same).
At first I did not remove the Welsh plugs, but I decided I had to do that, to ensure I could check the low speed jet.
Removed Welsh plugs, shone a flashlight in all orifices and found congealed oil plugging the low speed orifice on all 3 carbs.
That was after soaking the carb overnight.
Without pulling that Welsh plug, the solvent didn't penetrate into that jet.

With the Welsh plug removed, I put the carb back into the solvent. After just 1 hour, the oil that was in there was completely gone.
Went ahead and went back over every orifice/jet with compressed air, and carb is spotlessly clean now.

Going to reassemble and get carbs reinstalled on the engine.

She should purr like a kitten once it's all put back together!

So it's been 10 months since I tore my carbs down and cleaned them.
During disassembly of the fuel lines I broke the stupid plastic fuel manifold, and then it took 6 months to recieve that component.
In the dead of Canadian winter, when the boat was in hibernation of course.

Anyway, here's the videos I made of both the carb cleaning, and then finally getting the carbs re-installed and test firing the old 1991 Evinrude VRO 60hp.

 

[racerone]

The lever on the control box Is NOT the choke !----The electric primer is a valve, it is not a pump.-----Low cranking speed means there is no spark.-----Charge the batteries.------Revving the motor like that in neutral is not good for the engine !!!