'96 Evinrude 70 (wont get on plane)

General Fishing Discussion
1

Looking to get some advice and help diagnosing the problem that’s causing my engine to not get the power to get on plane. All ■■■■■■■■ is appreciated.

I first realized an issue two weekends ago. The boat seemed to be running fine. I was going fast and on plane then slowed down to go through a no wake zone and the engine kind of just puttered out. My first concern was in fact that I had some bad gas… I emptied the fuel water separator and I couldn’t tell if there was water in the gas b/c I didn’t have a clear container(although I think there was). So it took a while but I ended up getting the engine to turn over and was able to “massage” enough to work up the power to get me back to the boat landing. In which at one point in time I was able to get full power and plane out. Reluctantly to say I bogged down again. After this it consistently had about the same power. I could get the bow of the boat up and make a wake but not enough power to plane out…

So during the week last week I started to try and diagnose… All fuel lines and bulb looked ok - without cracks. The fuel filter in the engine looked clean as whistle. However, my vent to my fuel take had been broken off (which I think is where water could have been coming in…) I replaced the vent.

I’m embarrassed to say that I was also not treating my gas. This is because I recently re-powered with this engine (completely rebuilt engine). As well as had the gas tank pumped clean…

So I was worried there was some amount of water that was in the tank, so I ran sea foam through it… It seemed to help some, the engine sounded better, but not 100%. I decided this past weekend I would load some fresh gas and go back to my old trusty staybil and hopefully I would have resolved the issue…

Unfortunately there was no change… Still wasn’t able to get on plane. At times it sounded like something was trying to work out giving the ever slightest burst of power. However, I was nervous so me and my wife just putted to the nearest sand bar, got our sun, en

2

What about the power pack? Not sure how to test them or if they even have them on 96 motors. I know back in the day I used to carry a spare just in case and it saved me more than once. I think you can get one cheap relatively speaking at NAPA.

3

You need a mechanic. I have a good one in Chapin SC near lake murky. Sometimes the later engine models have computers in them that tell you what’s wrong. Recently I had to have my “reset” because it was overheating due to a piece of rubber in the pee hole. Also, a weak fuel pump or a leak. A mechanic can check to see if your fuel pump is putting enough pressure on the lines. And, there are probably filters you cant get to easy. bite the bullet and pay a pro, I have to when I’m stuck like that, specially since I don’t have a computer to hook up to the motor

4

I assume the rebuilt motor came with new spark plugs. Either way, water in the gas could initiate fouling. The sudden burst of power reminds me of a fouled plug that will occasionally ignite the fuel charge. Maybee this diagnosis os way off, but almost free to correct if it is the problem. Hopefully you live close to the water.
Good Luck!

“Junk always sounds best.”

5

To follow up with diagnosis and outcome…

I ended up doing a cylinder check and finding out that one cylinder wasn’t running. Given that it was a recently rebuilt engine I called up the mechanic to ask if I can bring it in. They honored the work and fixed free of charge… It was pretty simple just a bad connection (some wires were loose) and a ground that had some corrosion. Cleaned it up and ran great all weekend this past weekend. Big shout out and thanks to Diversified Marine on Johns Island.