1992 E'rude 8 hp. link and synch .... deciphering the manual

[Tim Frank]

Brief background (apologies for the length ):
Got this engine, used ~ 10 years ago to replace the same motor in Johnson model which was stolen. That Johnson was always a bear to start after a few days of not running. Once it started, it would start with one or two pulls as long as it was used daily. Once started it ran fine.
I replaced it with an E'rude because it was in inventory; I had heard (anecdotally) that despite being essentially identical, E'rudes always started better than Johnson. That does not seem to make any sense since the parts are the same but this E'rude was assembled in Belgium ... no idea where the Johnson was put together.
The E'rude turned out to be the same tough starter ,... especially in the fall (Canada).

This year I had some bad fuel and ended up replacing all the fuel lines and R&Ring the carb with a full kit. There is a small "foot" on a small tube in the float bowl that has a crack...is unavailable on any part source that I have found, but does not seem to be a problem at this point.

Happy end result is that this puppy now is a one-pull motor even after 10 days of not running. Looking forward to seeing how it does around the freezing mark.
I had always ascribed the hard-starting to how lean these motors are designed and setup to run. Obviously way off on that.
It just needed the carb cleaned.

That is all the back story.

The link and synch instructions are giving me fits. Guess I am old school ... my other small O/B is a 1975 6 hp. that I also have the OEM manual but do not refer to it often and have not seen a L&S section for it at all

1)Step one in my manual for the 8 HP is an exercise to define TDC using "OMC Tool XXXX". I do not have one of those. lol
I could rig up a dial indicator and get pretty much the result that I need, but :
Is it really needed? Can I have shifted the timing somehow just taking off and replacing the carb?

2) The remaining instructions are fine, but unless i am misreading/misunderstanding, the idle speed is adjusted by turning a fitting on the end of the handle. That does not seem to have much of an effect with this motor except that if adjusted too much the stop button does not work.
Any explanation on why that is?

Current status of this motor after the carb cleaning and rebuild is that it starts perfectly, and runs really well above half speed. It struggles a bit as it accelerates.
Idle is fine but stalls on occasion at slow speed in gear.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[racerone]

They are the exact same motor.----Different color paint !!----If motor is " hard " to start then the wrong starting procedure is usually the issue !

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I have that motor....purchased it brand new. Always started perfect and in all these years only had to replace the one ignition coil.(Coil serves both cylinders)

Carb is easy, gone through it a few times. Plastic parts are fragile. Sounds to me your slightly lean, still dirty or your not waiting for it to warm up.

Does it have the thermostat and have you examined it.

Timing should never be touched.

 

[Tim Frank]

Thanks RR1, It starts beautifully now, but it was not the starting procedure it was a carb problem.

For the L&S do I really need to redo the timing if all I messed with was the carb?

 

[saltchuckmatt]

That crack could be your issue and if the fine idle adjustment knob on the tiller is not working than the tiller throttle adjustment on the back of the motor is not set correctly.

 

[racerone]

These motors have 2 coils but it is assembled as 1 item and 1 part #.----Evinrude or Johnson they both start easy with the correct procedure !!

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Another thing....might have been your Johnson issue, choke lever system is fragile and doesn't always want to stay engaged. I sometimes hold it with me finger when pulling the rope. Finest fishing trolling motor ever made!

 

[cyclops222]

Something to remember about slow speeds and sparkplugs. Becoming LESS hot enough to avoid hard starting. Now your getting into a bad corner. Slow speed runs cooler. Slow idle speed. LEAN setting of idle mixture. Thermostat running too cool during slow speeds......... You are going to start using the choke on a restart of a warmed up motor. Stalling the motor by a quick movement of the throttle lever.......... There is NOTHING that can keep the sparkplug CLEAN Enough at low speeds.
A 1 mile run at WOT WILL clean the sparkplugs. If they are still able to fire. Always have a spare set of gapped sparkplugs. Put them in to prove if the plugs are dieing. Also carry in the tacklebox plugs and a sparkplug wrench. Life is much better. If the plugs DO NOT help ? Put them back into their boxes.
I keep both items in the boat tackle box.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I carry no extra spark plugs.....idle for fish for a week straight when their in. Plastic threads in choke gimbal nut strip easy.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

assuming this is the newer top mounted starter model being 1992. if yes, there are basically 5 ways to screw up the idle... badly. idle speed screw, slow speed mixture needle , throttle adjust at end of handle, cam follower set screw, and high speed throttle cam set screw. none involve anything with a timing light! manual for some reason wants you to set it to 3.5 turns out from seated, then get the idle speed in forward gear with the idle speed screw . i dont do that. i always get the air/fuel mix set 1st , then do the idle speed in forward gear. it sounds like your slow speed screw is too far lean (in) .

 

[Tim Frank]

I am almost there, but the two set screws that I need to adjust seem to be an oddball size. Neither 2.5 mm. nor 3/32" will fit.
The manual does reference an "OMC service tool".
Would OMC have gone off the page on this?
My options are to dremel a slot .... try needle-nose pliers ... or try to buy the OMC tool.
It is possible that the previous owner used the wrong tool and messed up the socket.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

I am almost there, but the two set screws that I need to adjust seem to be an oddball size. Neither 2.5 mm. nor 3/32" will fit.
The manual does reference an "OMC service tool".
Would OMC have gone off the page on this?
My options are to dremel a slot .... try needle-nose pliers ... or try to buy the OMC tool.
It is possible that the previous owner used the wrong tool and messed up the socket.

nope no need. a torx t30 or whatever torx you can jam in there will work fine. some seem to be hex head though but forgot which ones. its always a good idea in my opinion to buy an el-cheapo hex/torx amazon assortment set for like $12. one of those will fit

 

[Tim Frank]

nope no need. a torx t30 or whatever torx you can jam in there will work fine. some seem to be hex head though but forgot which ones. its always a good idea in my opinion to buy an el-cheapo hex/torx amazon assortment set for like $12. one of those will fit

Thanks. A T30 is too big.
But I actually bought a set from Amazon which arrived Friday. I will have a go today.

 

[Tim Frank]

assuming this is the newer top mounted starter model being 1992. if yes, there are basically 5 ways to screw up the idle... badly. idle speed screw, slow speed mixture needle , throttle adjust at end of handle, cam follower set screw, and high speed throttle cam set screw. none involve anything with a timing light! manual for some reason wants you to set it to 3.5 turns out from seated, then get the idle speed in forward gear with the idle speed screw . i dont do that. i always get the air/fuel mix set 1st , then do the idle speed in forward gear. it sounds like your slow speed screw is too far lean (in) .

This does not seem to be working properly. The manual does not seem to be very helpful in troubleshooting it. The handle mechanism appears fairly coimplicated to open up and play with.
The adjustment point on the cable (under the hood) appears to be all the way out ... i.e. unscrewed as far as it will go.
Intuitively I am always suspicious when an adjustment like this is at its max.

Thoughts?

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I'll give you some pictures of mine in a few right after I finish my steam bath.

Throttle handle is easy to take apart just don't loose any parts.

 

[tphoyt]

If only someone would send you some Maine lobster to go with your steam bath it would complete your day.

 

[jimmbo]

They are the exact same motor.----Different color paint !!----If motor is " hard " to start then the wrong starting procedure is usually the issue !

Come on, everybody knows the Good Ones are sent to, depending on the which dealer you speak to, the Evinrude or the Johnson Paint room, and the rest go to the Evinrude or Johnson room

 

[saltchuckmatt]

If only someone would send you some Maine lobster to go with your steam bath it would complete your day.

Yes, that would top the day!

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Ok ...hope this helps you.

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

Ok ...hope this helps you.

ohh thats a 1st year model . pretty neat. they did a bunch of changes to that motor for 1993 or around there so i think the throttle, ignition, choke link and some other stuff is slightly different than his but great video. worth pointing out that the plastic idle circuit cover on these did have an update recommended, and lots are so worn from someone honking down on the slow speed needle enlarging the hole they wont run right unless the needle is almost completely screwed in!