Evinrude 2.3hp won't start

[Quadriga]

New plug,correctly gapped. Carbeurretter cleaned out and new fuel. Hasn't run for two years(covid) but was serviced regularly and started first time last time it was used.
Any suggestions, please?

 

[Thistle]

Fuel ... getting to the cylinder? Fuel tap?
Air ... getting to the cylinder? In the right mix - choke?
Spark? ... Plug tightened? HT lead properly on? Kill switch on?

Sorry for the simple questions but so often there is something there that's been overlooked.

 

[Quadriga]

Yes,yes,yes

 

[Momac]

Ethanol in fuel affected rubber bits?

 

[Blueboatman]

Maybe pull the emulsifier tube on the carb behind the main jet and give it a blow through its tiny orifices ..
Even though the plug is wet , is it too wet /not wet enough !
Plan b squirt some petrol from a spray bottle ( kitchen , bathroom cleaner one ) straight through the carb from the air inlet . If it doesn’t fire up on that , it is not a fuel/mix problem
Best luck

 

[VicS]

Yes,yes,yes

Will the spark jump an air gap of 7/16 inch?

Have you done a compression test?.

.

 

[Quadriga]

Fitted a new coil as spark plug spark looked a bit weak. To my shame, had to use some coldstart to get it running. Not much water coming out of engine (have fitted new impeller). Over the years the engine has had little use and for the last three years has sat on the pushpit rail. Is there anything I need to look at or is it a complete stripdown?

 

[Pete7]

After 3 years and not being used, I would be tempted to change the impeller and gearbox oil. All very DIY but I bet you snap the two bolts that hold the gearbox on. Don't worry if you do, they can be removed afterwards with a good soak and mole grips.

 

[Quadriga]

Both done and yes one of the bolts sheared. I think that I will need to take the engine apart to clear any blockages in the cooling system unless anyone has any magic methods

 

[Blueboatman]

If it started I would just keep it running , under load too!
You will soon see if it needs any further attention or just a jolly good run( watching the water piddler flow of course ??)
One can overthink there things

edit: bummer about the sheared bolt . Perhaps a clever mechanic can spot weld a bolt head on and some localised heat on the ally , to release the snapped off end if an extractor drill fails ..

 

[Quadriga]

Managed to get the bolt out but it is the 'piddler' that concerns me. It's hardly dripping!

 

[Blueboatman]

Ok. But that’s just salt build up in the coolant channels ( probably !)
Put it in a big dustbin of fresh water and run it for a few minutes ? The idea is to dissolve the salt . But without ignoring the possibility that the water isn’t actually being pumped round at all .
So don’t let the engine block get stupidly hot to the hand ..
Or just let the mechanics give it a once over /service?

 

[Rum Run]

apparently kettle descaler poured or squirted up the water tubes into the cooling jacket works to remove the crud. This probably needs the impeller out again and the engine being upside down. Or syringe up the telltale pipe.
Ref the not starting, I once had a big problem with a Mercury 5hp 2 stroke, went though every suggestion made on here and nothing doing. It seemed that I'd put fresh diesel in the tank instead of petrol...... At least I knew the carb was clean afterwards anyway!

 

[SC35]

Push a narrow micro screwdriver or similar up the piddler.
If there is a restriction at the point it meets the baseplate, maybe remove piddler, clean around the area, refit.
Bear in mind the piddler is a "tell tale" ... most of the water doesn't exit that way.

 

[jamie N]

The above methods will work, but the optimal method (depending on confidence and ability) is to remove the head and the block, and clean the inevitable build of 'crud' in the block, with something like a screwdriver.
I've done this, and far from being a great mechanic, found it astoundingly simple, with fantastic results.

The piddler tube is rubbish having such a tight right angle bend inside of the cover, which I modified by drilling a hole for a gentler radius.

SC35; are you sure about the 'piddler' being only an indicator. Genuine doubt, but always happy to be corrected.

 

[SC35]

>>SC35; are you sure about the 'piddler' being only an indicator. Genuine doubt, but always happy to be corrected.
Not 100% sure, and it's hard to tell from the parts diagram, but it was definitely the case on my Merc 3.3 and the Merc 5hp ... on these most of the cooling water went out with the exhaust.

 

[coveman]

Managed to get the bolt out but it is the 'piddler' that concerns me. It's hardly dripping!

Have you tried pushing a bit of thin wire up the piddler to try and unblock it? On my 2.5hp Mercury this has cured the problem several times. You only need a tiny salt deposit here which goes hard and the piddler will block. If that doesnt work then removal of the head and a good clean is needed. On the Mercury the tube going up the leg from the impellor would also be a likely blockage point, but I am not familiar with Evinrude.

 

[Quadriga]

Have you tried pushing a bit of thin wire up the piddler to try and unblock it? On my 2.5hp Mercury this has cured the problem several times. You only need a tiny salt deposit here which goes hard and the piddler will block. If that doesnt work then removal of the head and a good clean is needed. On the Mercury the tube going up the leg from the impellor would also be a likely blockage point, but I am not familiar with Evinrude.

Thanks. I've tried this without success. I'm hoping to flush with a descaler to hopefully avoid having to take the engine apart