Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

[BigBlaes]

Hi, this is my first post, so please be patient with me.

I have a 1998 25 HP Evinrude 3 Cylinder (2-Stroke?) 20 inch shaft (Model E25TKLECA), and I just ran it for the first time since I bought it. The gentleman that had it before me didn't run it much and I'm not sure of how long it's been sitting.

THE PROBLEM: It Idled fined, and ran great for the first 30 seconds, then I shut it off and sat for a moment, and ran it again.... This time when I tried to go full throttle the engine sputtered, I released the throttle (TILLER HANDLE) it started to run great again then when almost full throttle it's almost as if the motor kicked out of gear/bogged down to an idle.

I loaded the boat back up and took the Cowl hood off smoke came out of the engine compartment and the engine was hot. I also noticed that there was smoke coming out of the lower unit (AKA where the engine pivets on).

Not sure what's going on since I'm used to running my old '76 Evinrude 25 HP. Which I also struggled with over a year to get running right (THAT'S MY LUCK!).

Any help or opinions would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank you!!!

 

[Cofe]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

The motor has a temp sensor that will limit the motor to 2000 rpm in event of a overheat 'S.L.O.W. mode'. It is time to replace the water pump, and if it smoked very badly, it may have damaged the water pump housing. I would also recommend that you get a OMC manual for your motor. They can usually be found on ebay.

Welcome to iboats!

 

[hidef]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Welcome to iboats. The 25 and 35 triples are a sweet engines. First off you really will want the owners manual and the service manual for your outboard. These outboards have very little in common with the old twin 25s and 35s.

You can get them at www.marineengine.com

Was the water pump pumping? The first thing I always check when I start my outboard. If it was there is a thermostat is at the top of cylinder head it unscrews quit easily if it was stuck closed that could cause you grief. You can't miss it is a black plastic case next to the oil tank bracket. These outboards also have a flush port on them. The pee hole unscrews out of the leg use a spark plug wrench and then you can screw a garden hose into it. You can run the outboard with no damage to the water pump. Just remember to turn the water on first.

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

When I got home I put the motor into a 300 gallon tank that we have, and Ran the motor.

It started fine and idled fine, I throttled up the first time and it was running fine then bogged down, the SECOND time I throttled up, It was sputtering and wouldn't throttle up good, and the idle was irratic (Higher RPM than when I first started it).

I'm thinking that it definately need a new Impeller, but I think an issue with this motor is that the gentleman that had it before me let it sit for quick a while, IE, the carbs could be gummed up and the fuel system altogether gummed up. I also had the air vent open on the fuel cell (Wal-Mart fuel cell).

Could I be on the right track about it being gummed up?

Where exactly does the water come out of on this motor? I'm not really sure, there's an exhaust hole right under the cowl hood, but there wasn't any water coming out of it, just a tiny bit of smoke.

 

[hidef]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

On the left side of the leg there is a 3/4 inch port that is open and next to it on the right side there is a plastic cap with a hole in it screwed into the leg. That is the flush/port slash pee hole. These things pump all kinds of water normally I would say your water pump is gone. As soon as your motor got hot it went into slow mode to prevent it from being hurt.

To get at your water pump you will have to drop the lower unit. The shift linkage comes apart under the water intake. Remove the black plastic screens from both sides of the lower unit and you will see two hex nuts that will break the shift linkage. These things have 6 bolts holding the lower unit to the exhaust housing. The manual says to remove the trim tab and prop although you can leave them in place if you are lazy.

Good luck

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Does this "LEG" mean the shaft? Cause I dont see any port open. Right under the cowl hood theres an open hole alone with what seems a cap with a tiny hole in it. All I saw was smoke coming out of the open hole and no H20 coming nout of the tiny hole. Is that what you are referring to?

Thanks again.

 

[hidef]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Yes it is. That cap is your pee hole / flush port. It unscrews with a spark plug wrench. I would say you are not pumping water.

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Do you think that the lower unit is a total loss? Or does it just need a new impeller? I only ran it for maybe 5 minutes total, mainly idling.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

The lower unit should be fine. Wait to order water pump parts until you get it disassembled. You may only need an impeller or could be the whole water pump.

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Ok, WEW! Thank you HIDEF and COFE, you guys have helped me a ton! I appreciate all the knowledge that you have given me.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

A friend of mine and I are trying to repair the water pump and we need to take apart the shift linkage. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[hidef]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Remove the two black rectangular water intake covers on the lower unit. Once those are removed you will be able to separate the shift linkage. Then remove the 6 bolts holding the lower unit to the exhaust housing.

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Thanks again HIDEF, took it apart and found that the water pump needs replaced. Also found some small oil hoses on the back left side of the motor that were melted (very cmall hoses). Replaced them and waiting on the parts to come in Monday.

Do you think the motor is OK? It seemed to be running fine, was just a bit hot. Should I be worried about the motor? :facepalm:

 

[hidef]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

I think you are fine. The motor engaged SLOW mode and that most likely saved you. You could do a compression check. If the outboard doesn't have a lot of hours on it I would run 50:1 premix in the fuel tank along with topping up the oil tank under the cowl. Watch the oil consumption through the first tank to make sure everything is working correctly. Do not worry the extra oil won't hurt it and this is the recommended way to break in the outboard when new. Plus you have peace of mind while it is running that it is properly lubricated.

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Ok, I ran it without a mix fuel tank, but I did top off the oil tank. So I will do that. Thank you very much for you knowledge and time. Ill holler at ya when I run it (when I get the water pump).

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

The gentleman also said it only had 50 hours on it. So it's fairly new.

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Hey, Hidef, Im still having trouble with the outboard. I replaced the water pump and it's working great, but now the engine goes out of gear when I try and go full throttle.

I start going full throttle and it's going, then all of a sudden it goes out of gear (doesn't roughly kick out, but gently goes back to an idle). I'm not sure if it's something related to the overheating or what.

I'm getting very frustrated, please give me any advice you can.

Thank you!

 

[hidef]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

Is it actually kicking out of gear or are the RPMs dropping and then it is acting like it wants to go but it can't. That would be an indication that she is going back into slow mode. Check the thermostat. It is located just above the top cylinder spark plug. It unscrews if it suffered heat damage it could be stuck closed.

Have you ordered a service manual yet?

Also do you have the system check gauge and the warning horn hooked up to your controls?

 

[BigBlaes]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

The RPM's are dropping down, it's not kicking out of gear it would seem. I'm getting a manual, it takes awhile to get to me.

I took the Thermostat off and found some gunk in there (old flower pods and what looked like melted plastic where the lower spring was).

What should I be looking for in the thermostat? What would be closed and what can I do?

I don't have a system check gauge/warning horn, that I know of.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Problems with 1998 Evinrude 25 HP while trying to go full throttle

When you replaced the water pump. That shift connection behind the intake screens........If you happen to turn the bottom part of that shift connection, it will throw off the shift rod length, and will cause this problem of kicking out of gear.