1985 Evinrude 140-HP Will Not Run Above Idle Speed

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  1985 Evinrude 140-HP Will Not Run Above Idle Speed

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Author Topic:   1985 Evinrude 140-HP Will Not Run Above Idle Speed

contender posted 08-07-2010 06:39 PM ET (US)
My engine 1985 140 Evinrude starts and idles great, shift in it gear and will only go above idle, and it dies like it is starving for fuel. The engine can idle at a high RPM in neutral but as soon as you shift it into gear will go for about 2-5 minutes and die. I checked and took apart the VRO-fuel pump. I am not using the VRO side. The diaphragm is in good shape with no air or fuel leaks. The gas line is new, gas tank is new, and so is the bulb, with a new spin-on-type fuel filter. Once the engine ran okay for about 20 minutes in gear, when I backed down the throttle the engine died, and I had trouble starting it again. I just redid the boat and the engine was working fine before I removed it from the transom. I know that this does not matter, but other items that have been changed, new water pump, new battery, new controls, and new shift cables. The neutral safety switch seems to be working correctly; the engine will not start in gear, but will only start in neutral. Would an electrical problem be intermittent? Power pack, stator, timer sensor? Any help Thanks.
Martino posted 08-07-2010 09:25 PM ET (US)
First place I would look is the fuel system. I would remove the fuel line at the engine. If it is a quick connect, then you need to snap a loose fitting on the end, or remove it. Put that in a fuel can and squeeze the primer bulb. You should have no air, the bulb should be easy to squeeze, and you should get a large volume of fuel (volume of the primer bulb) with each stroke. I ended up with new hose, new primer bulb, new fittings, and a new tank vent before I was done with mine. (all bad)
jechura posted 08-07-2010 10:39 PM ET (US)
Strange, this week I drove up to Lockeman's in Detroit to inquire about a similar problem with my 1985, 235hp Johnson. In early June we were one of the safety boats of the "Potomac Swim For The Environment" event. Leaving "yiddil's" summer on Glebe creek off the Potomac and meeting up with "kamie" for a 15 mile cruise down the river and their boats are both powered with E-tec's and set a blistering cruise varying between 35 to 40. The old 235 will easily keep up with them but the fuel flow meter was showing 17GPH and I don't normally cruise at those speeds and for a 15 mile run to boot, but I had to because I lacked a local Garmin chart for the area. After unloading our gear at our first stop and restarting for the run of 5 miles to Point Look Out state park to drop the boats for the night the engine had no power. Top speed was about 8 mph. Even at that 8 mph the old engine didn't sound right. Last year I had a hint of the problem but attribute it to the fuel filter and never replaced it. Upon entering the marina I recognized a change in the sound of the motor, turned the boat around and headed back out in the river throttled her up and the boat ran fine for the rest of the event.
The boat has been out numerous times since than and only once a hint of the same problem but not doing any thing about it. Relating this problem to Dave from Lockeman's he said it was not a fuel issue and asked if the motor over heated. Yes it did on a pre check on the muffs prior to our trip south. Dave took me to his engine bone yard and showd me on a similar omc what is happening. When the engine gets to hot or overheated the lubricant under the timer base & sensor assembly becomes sticky and the assembly will stick causing you lack of power. To remedy, the removal of all parts above the assembly to clean and re lubricate or apply oil to the bottom of the plate and move till it is free moving, but not WD-40.
jimh posted 08-08-2010 09:00 AM ET (US)
Dave Zammitt at LOCKEMAN'S BOAT AND HARDWARE never stops amazing me with his engine diagnostic ability. He is truly a master mechanic.

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Author	Topic: 1985 Evinrude 140-HP Will Not Run Above Idle Speed
contender	posted 08-07-2010 06:39 PM ET (US) My engine 1985 140 Evinrude starts and idles great, shift in it gear and will only go above idle, and it dies like it is starving for fuel. The engine can idle at a high RPM in neutral but as soon as you shift it into gear will go for about 2-5 minutes and die. I checked and took apart the VRO-fuel pump. I am not using the VRO side. The diaphragm is in good shape with no air or fuel leaks. The gas line is new, gas tank is new, and so is the bulb, with a new spin-on-type fuel filter. Once the engine ran okay for about 20 minutes in gear, when I backed down the throttle the engine died, and I had trouble starting it again. I just redid the boat and the engine was working fine before I removed it from the transom. I know that this does not matter, but other items that have been changed, new water pump, new battery, new controls, and new shift cables. The neutral safety switch seems to be working correctly; the engine will not start in gear, but will only start in neutral. Would an electrical problem be intermittent? Power pack, stator, timer sensor? Any help Thanks.
Martino	posted 08-07-2010 09:25 PM ET (US) First place I would look is the fuel system. I would remove the fuel line at the engine. If it is a quick connect, then you need to snap a loose fitting on the end, or remove it. Put that in a fuel can and squeeze the primer bulb. You should have no air, the bulb should be easy to squeeze, and you should get a large volume of fuel (volume of the primer bulb) with each stroke. I ended up with new hose, new primer bulb, new fittings, and a new tank vent before I was done with mine. (all bad)
jechura	posted 08-07-2010 10:39 PM ET (US) Strange, this week I drove up to Lockeman's in Detroit to inquire about a similar problem with my 1985, 235hp Johnson. In early June we were one of the safety boats of the "Potomac Swim For The Environment" event. Leaving "yiddil's" summer on Glebe creek off the Potomac and meeting up with "kamie" for a 15 mile cruise down the river and their boats are both powered with E-tec's and set a blistering cruise varying between 35 to 40. The old 235 will easily keep up with them but the fuel flow meter was showing 17GPH and I don't normally cruise at those speeds and for a 15 mile run to boot, but I had to because I lacked a local Garmin chart for the area. After unloading our gear at our first stop and restarting for the run of 5 miles to Point Look Out state park to drop the boats for the night the engine had no power. Top speed was about 8 mph. Even at that 8 mph the old engine didn't sound right. Last year I had a hint of the problem but attribute it to the fuel filter and never replaced it. Upon entering the marina I recognized a change in the sound of the motor, turned the boat around and headed back out in the river throttled her up and the boat ran fine for the rest of the event. The boat has been out numerous times since than and only once a hint of the same problem but not doing any thing about it. Relating this problem to Dave from Lockeman's he said it was not a fuel issue and asked if the motor over heated. Yes it did on a pre check on the muffs prior to our trip south. Dave took me to his engine bone yard and showd me on a similar omc what is happening. When the engine gets to hot or overheated the lubricant under the timer base & sensor assembly becomes sticky and the assembly will stick causing you lack of power. To remedy, the removal of all parts above the assembly to clean and re lubricate or apply oil to the bottom of the plate and move till it is free moving, but not WD-40.
jimh	posted 08-08-2010 09:00 AM ET (US) Dave Zammitt at LOCKEMAN'S BOAT AND HARDWARE never stops amazing me with his engine diagnostic ability. He is truly a master mechanic.