evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

jdkeith

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Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
3
hey guys,i have a buddy who is cleaning up a old boat yard that got foreclosed on and he found a 4hp evinrude he gave me for my jon boat,i took it home and cleaned it it up,cleaned carbs,new spark plugs,clean fuel lines an filter.but when it pull starts the string wont retract back in you got to take cover off and manually pull it back in and seems like it is in gear you can feel the tension but cant find how to take it back out,is that normal.
 

Sandor27

Seaman
Joined
Feb 28, 2011
Messages
69
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

I had a similar problem with a Johnson 6hp. Does yours have the recoil on the side of the engine like the 6hp? Since you can feel the tension, the spring is probably still connected. My starter spool was gummed up from sitting so long that the grease was like clay. I pulled the cord all the way out and doused the mechanism with WD-40 to loosen up the grease. I took the plugs out to make it easier to turn over and just exercised the starter rope. That freed it up. Good luck.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

Howdy, jdk.

Welcome to iboats. :)

Without your model number there is not much we can do to help. Different starters were used over the many years that engine was made.
 

raczekp1

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 30, 2010
Messages
1,327
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

hi.
i think this is becouse:
1.old grese and dast just glued spring-spray WD40 and clean recoil parts
2. this recoil starter is mounted to motor side by 2 bolts,one biger and smal one to water bypas cover.this smal one is to lift or lower recoil mechanism so recoil can touch flywhil-so relese tis smal bolt and lift a little up.
 

jdkeith

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Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
3
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

serial number is 4206s-e02943 couldn't find a model number,took of spark plug mounts last night to get to pistons they were seized up with rust,took them apart cleaned and re lubed them look brand new now but when you pull start still have tension like in gear and don't want to retract itself gonna wd-40 today thanks for your help more help is appreciated guy thank you
 

steelespike

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Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

As with any motor you should be working with a manual.I have no experience with the 4 but as near as I can tell it has an odd ball recoil starter.It appears it has teeth that ingage the flywheel
and push it along sort of like a kick starter.
It may have a pulley on the flywheel you can wrap a rope around for manual start.
Does the motor feel free with a good compression?
 

jdkeith

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Joined
Apr 11, 2011
Messages
3
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

it oes have goo compression, i have a idea for putting a old lawnmower starter on it, to eliminate the pull string.but i gotta find one just small enough to fit in the hole of where the pulley system is, does anyone know how to get the flywheel off,is the 5/8 nut on top reverse thread me and my father have tried multiple ways but cant seem to get it loose or hol flywheel tight enough to get good lock on it.:eek:
 

1946Zephyr

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
5,556
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

Spray the hell out of the recoil with WD-40 and it will loosen up. This is a common issue with them when they sit for long periods of time.
 

tx1961whaler

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2008
Messages
5,197
Re: evinrude lightwin 4 hp problem

it oes have goo compression, i have a idea for putting a old lawnmower starter on it, to eliminate the pull string.but i gotta find one just small enough to fit in the hole of where the pulley system is, does anyone know how to get the flywheel off,is the 5/8 nut on top reverse thread me and my father have tried multiple ways but cant seem to get it loose or hol flywheel tight enough to get good lock on it.:eek:
NO, it is not a reverse thread on the flywheel nut. Hold the flywheel with some kind of strap, or an old car belt with a pair of vice grips. The flywheel is pulled off with a harmonic balancer puller with 1/4 - 20 bolts through the holes on top of the flywheel.
 
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