4HP Evinrude shift advice

[fish56]

I'm going to look at a 4HP twin cylinder Evinrude tomorrow. Looks to be about a 1988 motor. Person selling it says that it was fine until this last summer, when after starting it, it would not go into forward gear. I haven't been able to get any other details about it as yet. One of those deals where you ask them a question and their answer has nothing to do with what you asked.
Anyway, I'm going to check if the shiftrod became detached inside the cowl. If it's still attached, I'll see if it moves up and down with the shift handle and feel the prop for movement when I pull the pullcord (yes, sparkplug wires removed beforehand).
Is there anything else I can check?
Is there any history of problems with these motors concerning this?


Thanks,
Bill

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 4HP Evinrude shift advice

could also bring a compression gauge with you. Could it possibly be the dog?

 

[fish56]

Re: 4HP Evinrude shift advice

HT,
Could bring the compression gauge to be safe. They do say it still runs well, but just has the shifting problem. I did a google image search to get a better idea of the year of the motor. It's a dark blue color with different color tape trim on it. Looks like maybe it's more like a 1994 or so model.
The shift dog is a definate possibility. Would it be likely to completely wear out or maybe it should go in reverse, even if it won't go forward? I'll have to try to troubleshoot it. The only time I've ever even had a lower end apart and saw all the components, including the dog, was on a 1957 Evinrude 35HP Lark. It had the split bottom.

Thanks,
Bill

 

[fish56]

Re: 4HP Evinrude shift advice

Didn't get to see the outboard. Turns out the owner is a teenager who had to travel downstate for their high school football championship(they won by the way). Did get to talk to him on the phone for a few minutes. He said that the last time he ran the motor, it started right up, he let it warm up awhile, and when he put it into gear, it didn't move. Seems this motor only has a neutral and forward shift selection, no reverse.
I'll get to see it this next Saturday. He's looking for $100 for it. Doesn't come with a gastank or gasline, so I've got to figure that into my expense.
Hopefully the shift problem is minor and inexpensive.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 4HP Evinrude shift advice

seeing it did not move, sure sounds like the drive (shear) pin broke. very simple to check and fix.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 4HP Evinrude shift advice

I'll bet Tashasdaddy got it right. Those forward-only small motors just don't hardly break a lower unit, and we have lots of stumps around here to break 'em on. What I don't get is how he sheared it and doesn't know it. I wonder if he could have sheared it while taking it off the boat and throwing it in the back of a pickup or something. Probably a good buy if you're looking for a 4horse. Then again----TEENAGERS aren't really good about taking care of stuff, sometimes.
JBJ

 

[fish56]

Re: 4HP Evinrude shift advice

Thanks for the advice! I'll be checking the motor out this Saturday and let you know what I find.