Evinrude 48 hp outboard motor won't start! Need help!?

Question

The motor is 1992 48 hp Evinrude. I've been doing work on it all winter long and I just fired it up yesterday. It ran GREAT! I couldn't be happier.

This afternoon however, we got some nice weather and I wanted to try it out in the water. The engine was hesitant to start, but it started up nonetheless.

About 100 yds from the dock, the engine died out of the clear blue and would not start again! I disconnected the fuel line and it appears that there is gas going to the motor.

The engine cranks, occasionaly runs really hard for a few seconds, but will not remain started. The coil was recently changed and it started up yesterday, so I'm sure there is spark. Compression is also good.

One thing that concerns me is that the fuel I used has been sitting for a few months. I posted on here recently and was informed that it should be good to use. Could this be the problem?

I've heard something about a "kill” switch but I’m not sure what this is, where to find it, or even if this is the problem. Any suggestions are welcome, however I'm new to outboard work, so if you could explain a little about the problem and potential diagnosis, I would be very grateful.

Thank you!!!!

Answer 1

you probably need your carbs rebuilt. the oil in the gas will rot out all the rubber parts inside the carb. probably the o-ring that your needlevalve seats in. my grandfather had a 76 model 70 hrs evinrude that done this to him year after year because he would put the boat up for winter without running the gas out of the motor before he put it up. it would act just as decribed, and each time same thing carb rebuild.

  best thing to do is to run the motor until it dies after each use.

also it might have ran good yesterday but blew out the o-ring while you used it.

Answer 2

Get rid of the old gas and get fresh gas. Also run a little fuel system cleaner through the engine. Change the fuel filter too.You may have to clean out the carbs too.

Answer 3

Well it is definately possible that it is a fuel problem..especially with fuel we get today being lower quality from less fuel aditives...always use "fuel-stabilizer" if going to be out of use more than one week...also be certain that the water pump pick-up is clear of obstruction and has not gone bad...this is also one of the systems that on newer engines will kill engine in the event it does not get enough water to the engines internally cooled components...to keep from overheating and ruining engine...but if that was problem it is not likely to have restarted after it died until repaired...so I would start with fresh fuel and make certain plug not fouled...and that water pump is picking up water good...

Answer 4

i doubt it is the gas, you can put fuel stabilizer in it but the probem is more than likely somewhere else.  Try the fuel filter, or the carbs coudl need to be cleaned, you coud by pass the kill switch temporarily, i woud suggest you buy a book for your engine, this will probably help you aot, it will help yuou narrow down the problems

Answer 5

Before anyone gives you any more advice would you please describe the work you did on the engine that took you all winter,and why you did it.It could be that the problem that caused you to start repairs was not addressed when you finished your winters work.