1971 Eveinrude 25HP

[Vancop]

Just purchased a 14' 1976 Alumacraft with forward steering for my son's 18th B-day....The motor needs some work, was told it was running great, then a few days before i picked it up it apparently it started acting up. It will only start when in gear ? Sometime to do with the small pin that rides against the wheel allowing it to open, but it is only in that position when its in gear ? It starts and seems to run fine as long as I hold the second little flapper on the carb open ?? I am trying to get it running before end of the month for his B-day? also need to fix the pull starter now that I pulled it to far out :( I know there are alot of possibilities and can answer any questions necessary...heck...i just learned how to find out the year it was made !! I have ordered a 1971 service manuel on ebay to assist, but if anyone can point me in right direction it would be helpful.

p.s. I talked to several boat service centers, and 90.00 per hour is out of my budget ...went way over to ensure son gets a safe boat.

[Okie]

Here is something I have found in my many years of experience with older outboard engines. One thing that is overlooked is the thermostat. It controls the temperature the engine runs at and will effect the way the engine runs if not working correctly. And on older engines it is seldom replaced when it should be replaced.

It doesn't hurt to put a new one on even if it has been working. And I would bet it has never been done before.

Good Luck

[Chrome Bumper]

Clean the carbs.. Gas degrades and coat the guts with 'varnish'. Have you drained the carbs to make sure no water is inside?

25 hp, a twin right? Are both plugs sparking?

[ICHTHYDEMON]

A friend was having the same problems with a new to him 1974 Johnson 40hp.

After a carb rebuild ($10 for the kit) it was running better,but not right. He took it to a mechanic who replaced the coils. After new coils it runs like a top. The mechanic said its a very common problem on the older JohnnieRudes,and he actually keeps a large supply of the coils in-stock because of it.

[Vancop]

Thanks for the replies...I will check into those mentioned. Also...I heard and saw the motor running ....it appeared to be running smooth ( for a 2 stroke ) but the dang thing will only start and run if I hold the second flapper open ?? and by second falpper...I have no idea what it is ....its between the choke and main body ? if that makes since. There is a tab on the disc under the fly wheel that when in gear, allows this flapper to be open....but when the gear is in neutral the tab is moved and the flapper is closed. I will look for a diagram on the net tonight to see if I can find its name. Once I hold it open...it will start and run fine...as long as I don't let the flapper closed.

Thank all for the information....I sent the money order today for the service manual..and i found the older manual that is just for the 1971 25 hp. cost 27.00 with shipping ebay !

[Vancop]

OOps..and yes Chrome...it has 2 plugs which are new thanks for your help

[Vancop]

Maybe I should start from the beginning....will make it easier I think for those who so graciously help :

I just picked the little boat up yesturday after 2 weeks of hunting local and beyond for a safe little boat for my son's 18th B-day. The person I purchased from said that he just got off the river with it and it was running fine. Several starts and stops with no issues at all. He has only owned the boat for a short time and only purchased it becuase it belonged to a family friend and he knew it was taken care of. He recently bought a larger boat. He did say that last year a new Stator was replaced in the motor by the friend.

He said that after awhile running around in the columbia, around goverment island etc.. he stopped once more and kids played on the beach. When they started to leave....the boat would not start. It wasn't until they tried to start it in gear that it started. Then back to the docks they went. He has no idea what caused the trouble...only that it will not start now in neutral..only in gear. It has something to do with the lever that is between the choke and the main body.... If you hold it in the open position ( meaning pull the small pin away from the disc under the flywheel ) it will start and run on 1 pull. if you release the pin it closes the lever and it dies. Only way I can describe this lever is that it looks like a choke lever that is between the actual choke and the main body of the motor. When the engine is in neutral and the throttle is off...the pin attached to the top of the lever is flush agaist the disc under the flywheel. But when the throttle is forward and the gear is in forward...a tab on the disc ( under the flywheel ) rotates about 2 inches and forces the pin ( attached to the lever that i was holding open ) moves it open and the motor will start....IN GEAR AND UNDER POWER !! I used a metal barrel filled with water...and it was intresting to say the least. I just feel that this is a small problem that can be fixed with the turning of the alignment or tightening of a screw as the motor was running fine prior. And it seems that it just rattled out of alignment somehow?

Thats about the best I can describe the problem. I am awaiting a manual..and am somewhat mechanically worthy..but very impatient as I'm trying to get motor running before the 17th which is my sons, First trip away from home camping with some friends. And I sold the Kayaks to buy the boat...so his fishing / camping trip will be bank fishing at best, if I can't get the motor running by then.

Any and all assistance is appreciated.

[Vancop]

LOL...I wrote a BOOK ! :applause: Srry he he he

For the Love of Fishing