Need help with Evinrude

[Jerry C.]

This is my first post here and I need help! I have a 1988 XP 150 Evinrude that is extremely hard to start and sometimes will not get on plane. I have replaced all fuel lines and filter, fuel pump, enrichment valve, spark plugs, carb kits and primer bulb. No change. I have had it to two different mechanics with combined 55 years experience. No change except paying labor bills. Primer bulb will not pump up tight. Once it does start, it will start fine all day. I hope there is a good mechanic here that can steer me in the right direction. Thank you, Jerry.

[yatesville88fan]

Has the electric choke been checked? I only have a fifty hp. But I have to hold the key in while cranking. When cold.

[yatesville88fan]

You also might post this on the E rude motor page. Just keep scrolling down till you find it.

[castforcash]

Welcome to the site! There is a Johnson/Evinrude page here too. I would post this there as well.

https://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=4

[Bassin08]

Are you holding the primer bulb vertical when pumping? There should be a directional arrow on the bulb.

[yatesville88fan]

I have also heard someone say this motor should b trimmed down to start. Don’t know if true or not.

[Whiteboat]

I have also heard someone say this motor should b trimmed down to start. Don’t know if true or not.

I seem to remember that with the old carbureted outboards. Start here

[Jerry C.]

Yes, it has been replaced and checked. Sorry I don’t know how to respond to the individuals post.

[tcesni]

I seem to remember that with the old carbureted outboards. Start here

This is absolutely accurate.

[mactlman]

Yes, it has been replaced and checked. Sorry I don’t know how to respond to the individuals post.

both rt side of window "reply with quote"

[5keepers2]

Was the fuel pump rebuilt or replaced? If rebuilt it is easy to rebuilt them wrong. If you got a new one it should be correct.

[CRAWFW]

Does it have an enrichner valve that drops fuel into the carb(s) or an actual choke?
The reason I ask is because if it has a choke, try popping the key in a few times while it’s trying to get on plane.
My dad gave me a boat that had an 85Hp Rude but it was older. (1980)
He couldn’t get it up on plane and had carbs, fuel pump rebuilt and a bunch of other stuff.
It was starving for gas and I figured it out by popping the key a few times and it’d get up on plane no issue then was fine once up on plane. I never bothered trying to get it fixed due to the age of the boat and it worked for me. Still not sure what it was.
My 87 Merc XR6 has enricheners , no choke, and I have to hold the key in what seems like forever to get it to fire on first start. Like 20 to 30 seconds. Seems to help if I pump the ball while holding in the key.
Just some troubleshooting things to try before taking it somewhere again.

[Jerry C.]

Welcome to the site! There is a Johnson/Evinrude page here too. I would post this there as well.

https://www.bbcboards.net/forumdisplay.php?f=4

Thank you I did post it there also.

[Jerry C.]

Has the electric choke been checked? I only have a fifty hp. But I have to hold the key in while cranking. When cold.

It has an enrichment valve.

[Jerry C.]

I seem to remember that with the old carbureted outboards. Start here

Yes I always start with the motor down.

[KennethW]

Did you replace the floats? If a float is cracked and full of fuel the bulb will never get tight because the needle valve will stay open. Pumping the bulb more just floods the engine and it won’t start.

[Jerry C.]

Was the fuel pump rebuilt or replaced? If rebuilt it is easy to rebuilt them wrong. If you got a new one it should be correct.

All new parts.

[hulapopr]

What brand primer bulb?
If it's not getting tight fuel
should be leaking someplace eventually during pumping.

[Jerry C.]

Did you replace the floats? If a float is cracked and full of fuel the bulb will never get tight because the needle valve will stay open. Pumping the bulb more just floods the engine and it won’t start.

Yes, new floats, even took them back out to make sure they were set correctly.

[yatesville88fan]

It has an enrichment valve.

Is this enrichment valve the same as a chock. How does it work?