Need Motor starting tips(has set for a while)

[!)ave]

I have an old fiberglass v bottom boat with a 20hp evinrude motor.

Haven't used it in several years, and decided it's time to get it back on the water.

I have changed the lower unit oil and charged a starter battery to use with it. Plan to put in some new gas/oil.

It ran well the last time i used it, but was wanting some tips on things i should do to optimize it more easily starting again.

Also I bought a "flusher" earmuff looking thing to try and get it started without driving down to the lake. I've never used one before and don't know where to connect it? Can anybody help me out? Will try to attach a pic of the motor.

dave

[Rick F]

I don't know where you put the muffs on your motor because I can't see the water inlet holes in the lower unit from your pics. If you can find those then that is where the muffs go. Usually a set of 2-3 with some screen material behind them. Your screen material may be gone though since your motor looks to be quite old.

I will suggest you should put some lubricant down the cylinders(2cycle motor oil, fogging oil, even brake fluid will work, etc.) Just a little so the top of the cylinder isn't metal to metal on initial start up. Unscrew the plugs and put it in there. ALso if you can pull start do this a few times slowly before cranking it with the electric starter so the cylinder walls are lubed up.

You will probably need to change the water impellar as well. It is piece of rubber shaped like a star and it is probably hard as a rock. If this is bad your motor will overheat very quickly. If my memory is correct it will be in the lower unit. Hope this helps.

[Crippled Caddis]

Dave: check your PMs, sending excellent article on putting an old motor back in service. CC

[!)ave]

Hey Fellas,

Thanks so much for your help on this. CC, the article you sent me is great.

I plan to work on it this weekend, and depending on any parts that I may need will hopefully have it up and running soon.

dave

[WebFreeman]

Be sure we get some reports after you get your ss minnow up and running.

[Thom]

I have an old 30 HP evenrude much like the one pictured. It has set for 2 years without starting often and each time I try to start it it has come back great.

I just put on the muffs around the inlets at the bottom. Pour some raw gas into the cylinder, flush the feed gas line and put new high octane gas in the tank. Prime and choke then crank and it will eventually start up. After the first start up and run it is fine for the season. I don't use it much anymore because I have a new 4 stroke on my new boat but it served me well and has spent many hours on Taney.

Good luck.

Hey caddis would you mind emailing me the article if it is not too much trouble. I like to keep things like that in my file since my generic file (brain) doesn't always work so good at 68 as it did when I was younger.

[!)ave]

Thanks again for the starting instructions!

Upon further review the motor is a 71' 25 hp model.

I cleaned out the gas line/tank, put in new gas.

Pulled the plugs and put in a little oil to lube the cylinders.

After quite a few cranks and quite a bit of smoke (I assume because of the oil), it started up. Ran it for a little bit and it didn't seem to get hot.

So hopefully will get it tagged and out on the lake next weekend.

dave

[Crippled Caddis]

Glad to hear of success with your outboard. Even tho it didn't seem to get hot keep in mind that the waterpump impellers are made of a rubber compound and they get stiff and inflexible with time and heat cycles. If you can't recall the last time the impeller on your motor was replaced then its waaaaaay overdue! If one of the blades of an old impeller breaks off and obstructs the water flow to the powerhead it will cook it long before you are even aware that a problem has developed. Impellers are readily available from marine dealers or NAPA auto parts outlets. They usually run @ $20-$30 and are some of the cheapest outdoor insurance available,

The vast majority of outboards has a waterpump tell-tale, or 'pee-hole', outlet above the waterline to provide an indication that your waterpump is working properly. Check it EVERY time you start your outboard and frequently during operation. If it isn't pumping water shut your motor off IMMEDIATELY! It takes only a minute or two to overcook an outboard and if you haven't bought a new one recently then you don't want to KNOW what they cost these days.

Replacing the impeller on your motor evey 2-3 years is some very inexpensive insurance and peace of mind. It's a very simple job-----even I can do it! CC

[hotrod]

Get you a can of "seafoam" from the auto parts store and add to your gas tank. it will clean the carbon oout of your power head and help clean the varnish out of your carb.

i usually dont believe in additives and such but this seafoam is the real deal. its basically the same thing as mercury quick clean and yamaha ring free.

[Crippled Caddis]

Bigtime agreement on the Seafoam! I run 2 oz. to the gallon to clean an old motor and an ounce to the gallon to maintain. It also acts as a preservative to keep your fuel fresh longer. It's a definite win/win.

Just be aware that on old motors that are heavily carboned that using Seafoam can break loose bits of carbon from the piston tops or cylinder head big enough to foul plugs so always carry spare plugs and a wrench. But we all do that anyway. Right?;o) CC