Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

[Evilrude]

I've had my 78 evinrude 115 out three times since carbs were redone . First time it started and ran fairly well. Second time put her in full throttle mode and it just runs sluggish and slowly gets better and picks up speed until it's running like normal ? Third time same thing as second time took like 5 minutes to get up and going then it seems to run fine ? I'm just about ready to make a reef out of it.

 

[racerone]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

What is the compression on this motor ? -Do you have spark on all 4 cylinders that jumps a gap of 3/8" or more.----Is the timer base under the flywheel advancing as throttle is opened.-------Were the high speed jets in the bottom of the carburetor bowls removed for cleaning ?-------Does the primer bulb go hard when you operate it ...--Answers to each question will get you results.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

Might also try pumping the primer bulb constantly and see if it runs properly.

 

[boobie]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

Do a cylinder drop test on it when it's running to make sure it's running on all the cylinders.

 

[hall832]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

Do you have contamination in your fuel tank?

 

[Evilrude]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

Well I've it's pretty much over for this motor and my relationship. Took it out Friday and it did the same thing but at least finally got going. Sunday tried to take it out and it would idle fine then trying to open her up it would chug like crazy and barely move did that for a little while hoping it would come out of it but it wouldn't got it back to the launch and there was black oil coming out of every port of the lower end . I figure it's unburnt oil but idk it starts up and runs fine in the driveway. Yes my compression is real good on all cyl. And the gas tank is clean as whistle . Pretty much gonna sell it and see if anyone wants to tinker with it .

 

[ronward]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

Well I've it's pretty much over for this motor and my relationship. Took it out Friday and it did the same thing but at least finally got going. Sunday tried to take it out and it would idle fine then trying to open her up it would chug like crazy and barely move did that for a little while hoping it would come out of it but it wouldn't got it back to the launch and there was black oil coming out of every port of the lower end . I figure it's unburnt oil but idk it starts up and runs fine in the driveway. Yes my compression is real good on all cyl. And the gas tank is clean as whistle . Pretty much gonna sell it and see if anyone wants to tinker with it .

I think if you post more info, history, what you've done, etc you will probably get some real good feedback. If you still wanna get rid of it, where do you live? If I live close enough to you I would be happy to haul that "anchor" away so you don't have to be bothered with it. I wouldn't even charge you. Pull the carbs off and go through them again. Chances are something was missed. If they weren't cleaned well enough the first time you will probably be more meticulous the second time and most likely clear whatever is clogged. If you have good compression and good spark, the only other thing it needs to run is good fuel delivery. What I've started doing when I clean mine is when I think I have them clean enough, I go through it again. Seems like a waste of time if you know you cleaned it good, but it takes a lot more time to re-install them and have to take them off to do it over again. That's an extra day working on it when you could be on the water.

 

[Evilrude]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

I agree thanks . It probably is the carbs I'm gonna take them off and go through them and check all my fuel lines and tank. I still think I'm going to sell it cause I have a good deal on a 26 year newer Johnson 115 but I'll post my discoveries .

 

[ronward]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

where do you live? if i don't buy it maybe I can help get it running.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

It's probably not the carbs. Its probably a few cylinders not firing because of poor spark or, not so probably, bad spark plugs and as the engine warmed up the problem went away, which points at humidity and wiring or cracked coils.
My suspicion is in the electronics. Either the wiring catching some ground along the way or more likely bad coils or no power coming from coils because of a wiring problem. The other suspect is the stator.
One thing is clear. Bad black gunk coming out of the exhaust means that fuel came through. It also means that it did not burn the way it was supposed to, so your chief suspect is proper spark to all the holes.
Check the plugs and find out why some of them did not give a good strong spark.

 

[ronward]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

It's probably not the carbs. Its probably a few cylinders not firing because of poor spark or, not so probably, bad spark plugs and as the engine warmed up the problem went away, which points at humidity and wiring or cracked coils.
My suspicion is in the electronics. Either the wiring catching some ground along the way or more likely bad coils or no power coming from coils because of a wiring problem. The other suspect is the stator.
One thing is clear. Bad black gunk coming out of the exhaust means that fuel came through. It also means that it did not burn the way it was supposed to, so your chief suspect is proper spark to all the holes.
Check the plugs and find out why some of them did not give a good strong spark.

That makes sense. I was thinking he said he had good spark. Must have been thinking of a different thread.

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

Change the spark plugs, wipe some WD-40 on the wires, try it again, and call me back.

 

[Evilrude]

Re: Motor starts out running sluggish then slowly improves

That makes sense that it could be the spark or coils . When I repaired the coil wire I found like 3 splices in the wire I will go through them again . I am getting spark on all four cylinders I don't know if it is good spark . And my compression was good last I checked. But I'll go over it all soon and let everyone know what I find. I live in fairhope al. On mobile bay . I'm actually getting my 2004 115 johnson saltwater edition friday so I'm going to be getting the 78 ready for craigslist. I'll keep ya,ll posted thanks