Reply To: 1973 6Hp Evinrude Fisherman hard starting cold

[JOHN HOLBIK]

I feel your pain.I have fixed thousands of older OMC engines but have been stumped by the 3hps.I bought a used 61 JW many years ago very low hour motor.I put a lot of hours on it on my trapline and fishing on weedy rivers.One day the motors starts right up but only has about 85 percent top speed it sounds like it is running rich or plugged exhaust when it is about to run out of gas it speeds up normal.I have spent at least a hundred hours over the years trying new things even drilled in more exhaust holes in the leg.I have two other 3hp that do the same and one fourhp.My buddies low hour 67 3hp is the same.
Here are two similar problems I have had over the years Brand new 1987 9.9 Evinrude we portaged the motor and went to the trapping cabin went out fishing went to go back to the cabin motor dies flooded pull off hose crank starts up but dies as soon as hose is replaced row back to cabin return home with TN28 left at cabin for emergencey.Get home tear carb a part clean reassemble happen to look down carb throat see an obstruction remove with needle nose.It was a tag from the motor said it was inspected by number 159.
I had a 4hp i used to go back and forth to work had to cross 1/4 mile stretch of lake.The motor started fine but you had to adjust the high speed every time you used it on rainy humid days it ran real rich.I took the carb off every thing inside clean and to spec I got to thinking about the inspection tag on the 9.9 i held the carb up to good light and saw nothing then I could barelysee something in the top of the throat pulled with needle nose it was a dried up tree leaf motor ran great after.
I love the 3s but I just hate to admit defeat.
John