Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

[Loriedj]

I have a 1975 Evinrude 15 hp outboard motor... I was having trouble starting my outboards sometimes at the end of the summer... but when It started it ran pretty good.... Havent used it for the last two months... I brought it home I was trying to start in my basement this weekend and couldn't get it to start at all.... I was pulling the start mechanism and pulling and pulling with no luck... Then all of a sudden I couldn't pull it...it was locked ...and the flywheel won't move either ..can anyone help me with this??? (Maybe spring coil but would the flywheel move in neutral ?) I am female but a little handy ..haha..if given proper direction .. I might could fix this on my own ... Unless you recommend a mechanic ..thank you so much for your time


laurie.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Try removing the spark splugs and seeing if you can turn the flywheel by hand.

 

[Loriedj]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Try removing the spark splugs and seeing if you can turn the flywheel by hand.

I remove spark plugs but ....No I still can't turn the wheel

 

[tazrig]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Sounds like the manual starting mechanism is jammed up into the flywheel. Follow the starter rope from the pull handle into the engine. On the left side of the motor you will see a small gear that lifts up and engages the flywheel. Is it stuck in the up position against the flywheel? If so push it down away from the flywheel. If it really jammed in there push down on the arm holding the small gear and rotate the flywheel clockwise with your other hand at the same time.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

I remove spark plugs but ....No I still can't turn the wheel

is the engine in neutral?

 

[Loriedj]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Sounds like the manual starting mechanism is jammed up into the flywheel. Follow the starter rope from the pull handle into the engine. On the left side of the motor you will see a small gear that lifts up and engages the flywheel. Is it stuck in the up position against the flywheel? If so push it down away from the flywheel. If it really jammed in there push down on the arm holding the small gear and rotate the flywheel clockwise with your other hand at the same time.

As I pulled the rope the little wheel engages with flywheel than stops (only about 3 inches of rope I can pull out). but does not move it .. It goes up and down but will not rotate wheel... Wheel does not rotate manually or with Pull start mechanism...??

 

[Loriedj]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

is the engine in neutral?

Thanks .. Yes it's in neutral .. I wish that was it!!!! Haha

 

[tazrig]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Are you talking about the starter wheel (about an inch in diameter) still not turning or the flywheel still not turning?

 

[Loriedj]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Are you talking about the starter wheel (about an inch in diameter) still not turning or the flywheel still not turning?

Flywheel not turning .. Locked... The big wheel on top....lol

 

[tazrig]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

So it was spinning freely and then it just froze up? And you took out the plugs and it still won't rotate in either direction? I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it sounds like you broke something internal to the powerhead of the engine or put a piston through the side of the cylinder wall. Either way it sounds like you or your boat yard are going to have to tear apart the whole powerhead and see if it can be salvaged. Wish I had better news for you.:blue:

 

[kbait]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Pull the lower unit off to verify where it's actually locked. Drive shaft and gears in gearcase are always turning when powerhead turns, so a jam-up in the gearcase could cause the lack of turning flywheel..

 

[Loriedj]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

oh great!!! just my luck....

.thanks for the advice...Laurie

 

[the machinist]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Go to my outboard articles OMC outboard related articles and on here I describe how this motor functions and more. On that motor there is an interlock on the manual starter spool (the one the rope is wrapped around) Number one it has to be in neutral, move the shifting lever back & forth & rotate the throttle twist grip a few times . Hopefully that may allow the interlock dog on top of the starter spool to free itself up. If not manually lift the dog up & try it.

Try to rotate the flywheel CCW a bit, if it does then the likely culprit is the interlock dog. If not then a possible seize in either the block or lower unit as suggested by previous posters.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

I remove spark plugs but ....No I still can't turn the wheel

Make sure when in neutral the prop spins freely in both directions. If it does then move on to the step below. If it doesnt remove the lower unit and attempt to spin the flywheel.


just for giggles take some clp break free or some liquid wrench spray the cylinder walls and top of the pistons with it fairly thoroughly let it sit for 48 hours then attempt to turn the flywheel by hand. if it rotates that is a step in the right direction. If not most likely the power head is toast.

 

[geoffwga1]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Try all the simple things first.I think it's unlikely that something was broken pulling on a recoil starter so I'm going with post #4 or #14.I suppose it's possible that something may have gone wrong in the gearcase but again doubtfull if only pull startng.
Geoffwga1

 

[twocyclemania]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Take Sig's advice. I've worked on a number of motors and find that after numerous pulls on the starter they get harder and harder to turn over. This is due to the fact that that the lubrication of the piston is diminishing. Was just working on my favorite 18 and it felt like she was about to seize as I was cranking her quite a bit. Sprayed some lubricant into the spark plug holes making sure to hit the top of the piston and she came back to life.

 

[Loriedj]

Re: Locked pull start plus flywheel not turning

Thanks everyone:joyous:..when I get home from work ..I will ATTEMPT to try everything suggested ...lol...I appreciated your suggestions ..very nice of all of you

I am learning!!!

Thank u Laurie