Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

[buzzkillin]

140 HP v4 Evinrude (older model - 80's) 2 stroke.
17' Starcraft Bass Boat

Just bought the above boat and motor from a guy who used it pretty regularly in tournaments. Took it with him for a water test. I was with him from the time he dropped it into the water. Boat has a hotfoot setup. Engine started up on the 2nd try and the owner was the one starting it. Owner let it idle in neutral revving it a bit to warm it up for about 2 minutes then went out on the canal at about 8 kmh on the GPS, then he really hit it and it felt like I was going to fly out of the boat. I was very impressed, nothing seemed to bog down, stall or have any issues. Everything went well, so I purchased the boat and left it in the slip at the marina we met at. The next morning I went out and try to start it up but couldn't get any pressure inside the gas bubble. Being a noob a still tried for about 30 seconds to get the engine to start - to no avail. Then used the trolling motor and headed over to the marina gas bar and filled up.

Engine then started up with no real issues, but wasn't holding the idle very well. Revved it a bit in neutral to warm it up and then headed out. Left the canal with the engine trimmed all of the way in and as soon as I hit about 9 kmh the engine would cut out. By cut out I mean it was like it turned right off. Put it back in neutral, turned it on again, got up to about the same speed (on GPS) and engine cut out again. Tried a few more times and the same issue. I fished for a bit (an hour or so) tried again but same issue, so I headed back in - boat didn't stall, or cut out on the way back because I kept it at the constant speed of about 7KMH.

Does anyone know what the issues could be?

The boat and motor did go to a Marina prior to sale for a one over. they replaced a fuel line, other then that everything was in good working order. On the water test the the day before yesterday it did fine.

Any help is appreciated. BTW the previous owner and I are still in contact. I am confident that he has been truthful about everything and is willing next weekend to come back out and help out if needed.

I am new to boat ownership, so perhaps I am just missing something simple?

 

[Sander]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

After you filled up did you make the mix for the engine 50:1 oil:gas? Have you checked for fuel leaks, and the fuel line that was replaced?

 

[buzzkillin]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Everything is mixed automatically. No leaks. Ran great the day before. Wouldnt get to plane if that helps identify the problem. The day before it accelerated fine and smooth to plane. Fuel line was replaced.

Thanks.

 

[Sander]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

The problem occurred after it was serviced at the Marina? Sounds like a fuel problem.

 

[emoney]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Are you sure the fuel tank is venting properly? Sounds like it's starved for fuel, which could just be coincidental, but the fuel line is what was worked on, no?

 

[iwombat]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

If your bulb never got hard you have a float needle stuck open, or a bad bulb. Pull the hose off the motor and see if the bulb gets hard (it should).

Given the rest of the story - the engine cutting out once the fuel pump starts really pushing fuel. My money is on a stuck float needle valve (or just a badly adjusted float).

 

[jayyyy]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

If the motor ran good until you touched it, then probably operator error. Contact previous owner and review starting and running procedure, good luck.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Fuel line bulb installed backwards? Wouldn't be the first time that has happened. Just replacing a fuel line and bulb isn't a job that would be assigned to the best mechanic in the shop. The check valves might just be leaking enough gas through to just barely keep your engine running. If it ran good before and the fuel line was the only thing replaced or worked on
it seems like your problem has been isolated.

 

[buzzkillin]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Thank you for all of the replies. Just to clarify the fuel line was replaced before we did the water test so I know the problem I am having is not related to that.

I am in touch with the previous owner who has been very helpful to this point. I do believe it is a problem related to how I am operating it as when he had opearted it it was working fine. After getting in touch with him here is what he has suggested.

Start the engine - Run in neutral - give it 3 or 4 hard rev's with the hotfoot pedal - the motor should really scream (loud) as the noise starts to die down (not completely) put her into gear.

Perhaps I was not putting it into gear soon enough, I would let it almost die down to idle before throwing it in forward. Does this sound like it would be an issue. I am obviously very new so thanks again everyone for the help.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

That sounds like a bad work-around for some other problem. And, you shouldn't rev it up that high in neutral anyway. Sounds to me like you have a carb rebuild in your future paying close attention to the idle circuits.

 

[Nutron]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

I agree with the carb rebuild and also a badly adjusted float as well as a bad fuel bulb. Also I would not rev the motor up to high and then slam it into gear, unless you want to replace the gears. Also no matter how long the boat sits and idles it should go into gear and out smoothly, there should be no jamming at high rpm's into gear. Think of a car when you rev it up in neutral and then slam it into gear it is bad on the transmission and drive train, the same principles apply to an outboard, only not so forgiving. I would look up in a manuel on proper rpm's, but I would say after 2 or 3 minutes the motor should be warm enough to idle, I would say around 6 to 800 rpm's.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Do you know if this engine is a V4 looper or V4 crossflow? Can you post the model number off the engine's serial plate.

 

[buzzkillin]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Thanks again guys.

I will get the model number. I agree with most everyone. Fuel bulb seems fine. Verified last night it was installed properly.

How much ball park is a carb rebuild? $300-500?

 

[buzzkillin]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

Also took it out last night. Tried his method 5 times it worked once, but that may be because I was very hesitant to throw it into forward at a high rev. The time it did work though it took right off.

It did work one other time. I tried just driving around at 9kmh for about 10 minutes. Then i did a sweeping left turn, as I cam out of the turn i accelrated up to 40kmh no problem. Not sure if this is helpful at all.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

kits are about $25 per carb (give or take). It's not a hard job and a good first entry into DIY repairs. The folks here can guide you through the process, but before you go that route I'd suggest the purchase of an OEM service manual.

 

[buzzkillin]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

I def plan to do the carb's myself. But I will take it into my Marina and have them give it a once over too.

On a side note I called around to a few licensed boat mechanics and they all seem to thing it's carb related and its a "lull" spot. Basically it needs extra gas to get past that lull. One suggested that since my choke is the key that next time I have it out I should try pushing the key (choke) do see if that helps get me past the "lull" spot. Going to give it a try this weekend or sooner.

Thought I would post this for anyone who may be in the same position I am in right now. I always thought using the choke a second time would cause the motor to flood?

Also maybe a dumb question here but the automatic bilge pump looks to be stuck. The previous owner said to just pull it open and give it some WD40. How do I pull it open?

Thanks

 

[Monte1961]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

To answer the question on flooding the motor with choke, it wont unless you keep key pushed in till the engine stalls out! If you are having to do this in order to get the engine to (rpm), I will agree with eariler posts that carbs need to be overhauled. The intermediate circuits are more than likely plug up with trash of some sort. Not a hard job to do if you follow the detailed instructions in a repair manual of your make and model. A word of caution: Take yourself some pictures before, during and and after you make repairs. This will give you good references if you need them. Then you can upload your progress so others can see what to do and what not to do! Good luck. Without seeing bildge, I would have no idea what PO. is talking about!!!!!!

 

[iwombat]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

RE choke: You don't have one on an 80s model. You have a primer solenoid, it pumps a little gas directly into the intake manifold. It might help a little, but I'm not sure what that would prove.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

wombat is right on the primer solenoid rather than a choke. To start these engines push the key switch in for 5 seconds or so before you engage the starter. If it starts then stumbles push the key in again - - I assume that you have the throttle up but not in forward gear. Many of these engines have a personality and it takes a bit to understand em.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Help - New Owner (140HP V4)

"Lull Spot" is a poor excuse for a diagnosis. It is a bog plain and simple and the prior owner was fooling you into thinking his rev it and slam it approach was normal. It most certainly is not and is definitely not good for the engine or the lower unit. It needs professional help. Most likely a good carb cleaning, link & sync and thorough inspection will have it running and idling like it should.