Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

[jasper60103]

I've been trying to sell my rig because I want a small tiller boat that's easy to store and trailer. My motor is not working and I'm willing to take a hit, but I had a couple folks basically say this particular motor isn't worth fixing.

Is there something bad about the design of this motor (model# 85593),
or does it have a bad track record?

No one seems to want to buy it. Seems $600 for this motor w/16 ft.
fiberglass boat and trailer is a good deal to me. I will even take $500
or trade down.

I'm having second thoughts now, and may just keep it
and have it fixed.

Appreciate your opinions.

jasper

 

[iwombat]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

Nothing inherently wrong with it at all. '74 and '78 were model changes and so only the '74-'77 models interchange parts. What's wrong with the motor?

 

[fdmsiv]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

First off, whats wrong with the motor? If it looks like a shark took a bite out of the lower unit or something that's one thing, if the motor is sound but just doesn't run that's a completely different animal.

You would be surprise what a little bit of elbow grease, some fresh gas, and a couple hours to kill will do for an engine.

Last weekend I got my '74 85 hp up in running after it had sat for 2+ years. Took about 1 hour of work and a couple hours of head scratchin, but I got it going.

If you are not mechanically inclined, sell the boat without the motor and part out the motor. If the parts are good you can get good $$$ for the parts. As iwombat stated above, there are quite a few johnsons those parts will fit.

One last thing, a couple cans of Rustoleum primer and paint (maybe $20) will have that puppy looking like a new motor.

good luck

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

Well, I don't really know whats wrong with it.
It starts fine and runs good on the hose/muffs.
But when I take it to the lake, it sounds completely different.
It idles and runs rough, lacks power and won't even plane.

I've been told usually when a motor won't run right under load,
it could be a bad cylinder. I really didn't want to go down the fix-it path
because I desire a smaller tiller boat.
I guess it would be worth while to have a mech diagnose the problem,
or maybe someone can walk me thru doing a compression test?
I am somewhat handy, own some tools and have garage.

thanks,
jasper

 

[iwombat]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

My guess is it's just due for a carb cleaning. But compression test is the right thing to do first off the bat.

Do you have access to a compression tester? You can rent one pretty cheap if not.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

I don't have a compression tester. I'll see if Autozone has one
under their free loaner program, else I check
if renting one is cheaper than buying.
Hopefully I can get it done this weekend.

thanks,
jasper

 

[iwombat]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

Basically

1) remove ALL the plugs.
2) check the compression gauge end to make sure it's not longer than the spark plug threads. And ground out the plug wires (nail in the boot placed against the block works).
3) screw the gauge into a plug hole.
4) jump the starter solenoid from the power lead, or turn the ignition until the gauge stabilizes.
5) Write down the number on the gauge.

repeat for each hole.

Cylinder #s looking from the back are.

2 1
4 3

Don't worry too much about the actual numbers, just how far apart the readings are from cylinder to cylinder.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

wombat,
I checked with Autozone and I can borrow a
brand new compression tester for free, yeh!
I'll pick it up on the way home from work.

Your procedure sounds pretty straight forward.
Just to clarify.
Do I need the muff's on?

thanks,
jasper

 

[iwombat]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

no, you don't need the muffs. You'll be cranking the engine over about 5 rotations per hole.


The next test is a spark-check. As long as you're at autozone you might want to pick up a spark tester - you can get one for about $10.

Looks like this:

Spark should jump a 7/16" gap with a crisp blue spark. Test the spark while you're checking each hole. You'll want to turn the ignition on and jump the solenoid at the motor to see it, or get a helper.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

OK, great.
I won't make a mess on the garage floor that way.

edit: I'll pickup a spark tester too. Hopefully it's fairly intuitive to use?
I'll report back when I'm done, hopefully tonight.

thanks,
jasper

 

[iwombat]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

You came in during my edit to add spark check info. See above.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

OK, I hit my first road block.

I removed all the plugs. Btw, they all were a little wet so that can't be a good sign. Also, I noticed oil around the plug sockets too.

Anyway, I tried to move forward with the compression test, but the compression guage adapter is too big for the spark plug socket. It only went in a couple turns. So, my question is, anyone know off hand what size adapter I need?
I think the autozone guy said the adapter was a 12mm, but I'm not certain.
If thats the case then maybe I need a 10mm?
So I'm dead in the water for now.

Also, can you tell me where to jumper the solenoid? See pic. I think its a 2 man job anyway. I may have to get my son to help.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i180/jasper_60103/SDC11946.jpg

thanks,
jasper

 

[ezeke]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

All plugs need to be removed to do a proper spark test on your motor, so you might as well just crank it normally. Ground the rest of the plugs to the block if you are going to test just one at a time.

If you did decide to jumper, see the thumbnail below.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

OK, I see. Thanks for the pic.
I think I will just turn the ignition key and have my son help me these tests.

Update. I called Autozone about the compression tool adapter size. They say 14mm and 18mm adapters come with the kit. In any case, neither fit my spark plug socket.

I will have to find out the size of that spark plug socket.
In the mean time, I'll do the spark test.

thanks,

jasper

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

OK, I'm back.

Update. I verified all wires have spark. Thanks to my son for watching as I turned the ignition.

I'll buy a micrometer tomorrow to measure my spark plug diameter to determine the adapter size needed for the compression tester guage. Unless someone can look it up for me? I don't have a shop manual.

thanks,
jasper

 

[ezeke]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

I think it's a 14mm thread with either 3/8" or =/< 1/2" "short" reach.

Maybe they are giving you a long and short 18mm. I would take a spark plug in and show them what you need.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

I bought a compression guage at autozone, $27 ,
comes with all the adapters, neat tool to have.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

OK, let me recap.
I have a compression tester that I borrowed from Autozone, but none of the adapters fit into my Evinrude.

Me and my spark plug will take a ride tomorrow to figure this out.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

How did you check spark, with a spark tester or ??

All your plugs should be a little wet with gas&oil and oil seepage isn't unheard of from around the plugs.

Neither of these would alarm me much.


Awaiting the compression test . . .

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Anything wrong with a 1975 85hp Evinrude?

yep, I did the spark test with a spark tester.

Ok, as for the compression, I was using the
wrong adapter.
I did the test, but the guage never really stabilizes.
The needle oscillates quite a bit. Here are my results...

2-45 1-45
4-40 3-45

Again, these are not real solid readings.
I kinda average out where the needle wobbles.

Does this makes sense at all?

thanks,

jasper