Re: 1974 Evinrude Yachtwin 4hp – failing to start

[jay]

Well – I’ve had a lot of learning with this little motor.

Regarding rebuilding the fuel pump, yeah I would have preferred not to do that. What happened was I took the motor down last year and put new gaskets in, it was constantly running hot and not pushing water through the head ( there is a tale here of me and my little motor running aground in shallow water down in Florida.. duh). Anyhow – between the run aground induced crud in the head and the prior owners usage in LI Sound it was not flowing. So the determination was take off the head and clear the passages and replace the gaskets. So I did this sometime over a year ago.

Last summer I tried to get it running at the lake and it would not start from the tank, only if something was sprayed in the carb throat. So, while still at the lake, I started trying to figure out where the fuel block was. During this process I disassembled the fuel pump. Put pump back together, still nothing. Moved on and the motor sat for some time while life intervened on my hobbies.

Got back after it a few weeks back and started working my way through the fuel flow issue. Discovered there was nothing in the carb and assumed it was the fuel pump so I ordered a kit and rebuilt it. It was incorrectly put back together (missing small spring), but now thanks to the "leeroys ramblings" site I think it is back together correctly now.

Of course once I put the pump back on it still would not start, but I could see some fuel passing the pump (newer semi clear fuel line there). Took carb off again and discovered the sticky needle. Once that was replaced I had success on starting. Possibly this weekend I will get her out on the back of a boat and have a good test.

Once again this site has been so helpful. And I was double lucky as I was able to break out of Army early enough Saturday to make it down to Rocky Hill. My lack of time at the moment is probably the only thing that keeps me from spending all my money there, that and concerns about my wifes reaction!!

Thanks again, Jay