Need help with a 1985 9.9 Evinrude outboard. It came on a 1979 Oday 23 (thats been owned by various members of this forum). The engine has been repainted and I can't determine the settings to get it started. It has an electric start but I've been trying using the starting rope. On the front is the choke, carb adjustment, and a three way switch. With the switch there is no markings and that is my first problem. I can't find any reference to it in the shop manual, but from some web sites I get the impressions it may be a switch for forward, neutral, reverse but I'm not sure. There aren't any markings on the throttle control either so I'm just guessing where to set it. Then there is clip (deadman clip?) attached to the boat with a wire by the engine but I don't see where it goes - except for a place for a spare. Any help with figuring this out would be appreciated.
starting an '85 Evinrude 9.9
- Thread starter MDaniels
- Start date
I am very fond of the 9.9. I found this information on the web that has helped. http://www.leeroysramblings.com/Johnson 9.9_15.htm
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Welcome to the boards.
+1 on LeeRoys site. I'm a big fan. Our 15 is very similar to your 9.9.
Usual reason for an engine not starting is lack of either fuel or fire - sometimes both.
Make sure your fuel primer ball pumps up to hard (or you have no fuel).
Dead man clip must be on tiller handle (or you have no fire).
Throttle twisted to about 3/4 from 0.
Choke pulled all the way out while cranking and pushed in quickly as soon as the motor fires. (Even if its warm out). If it will only run with the choke out or partially out something is wrong.
Might want to pull the spark plugs out to make sure they aren't fouled before you begin.
Why not connect a battery to it until you get it running. That way you can do some 15 second cranking if needed while messing with the choke and throttle to get it going.
After you get it tuned and running good it will be easier to pull start.
I suggest you have the lower unit in a barrel or trash can of water rather than using muffs - these engines don't like muffs.
If your model has an alternator in it its highly recommend that you always have a battery connected to this engine - even if pull starting.
Good luck and report back your results please.
I
+1 on LeeRoys site. I'm a big fan. Our 15 is very similar to your 9.9.
Usual reason for an engine not starting is lack of either fuel or fire - sometimes both.
Make sure your fuel primer ball pumps up to hard (or you have no fuel).
Dead man clip must be on tiller handle (or you have no fire).
Throttle twisted to about 3/4 from 0.
Choke pulled all the way out while cranking and pushed in quickly as soon as the motor fires. (Even if its warm out). If it will only run with the choke out or partially out something is wrong.
Might want to pull the spark plugs out to make sure they aren't fouled before you begin.
Why not connect a battery to it until you get it running. That way you can do some 15 second cranking if needed while messing with the choke and throttle to get it going.
After you get it tuned and running good it will be easier to pull start.
I suggest you have the lower unit in a barrel or trash can of water rather than using muffs - these engines don't like muffs.
If your model has an alternator in it its highly recommend that you always have a battery connected to this engine - even if pull starting.
Good luck and report back your results please.
I
Thanks for both suggestions. After looking at the diagram at Crowley marine in more detail I think I know what is going on. It look like the fitting on the throttle where the clip goes is broken off and wasn't apparent as a break. I'm thinking a screw with a washer that will hold the clip to hold the button down will work.
Yes, good idea. For starters.
Check the wiring INSIDE the engine, especially from the hill switch, too.
Here's another good link:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...LESR&manufacturer=Evinrude§ion=Carburetor
Go from there.
Good luck.
Check the wiring INSIDE the engine, especially from the hill switch, too.
Here's another good link:
http://www.marineengine.com/parts/j...LESR&manufacturer=Evinrude§ion=Carburetor
Go from there.
Good luck.
The button on the end of the throttle is supposed to be pulled away from the tiller handle, not pushed in. That's why the clip is there, to hold the button away. If the clip doesn't do that for some reason, you can get creative and make something to hold it out.
Do that , push fresh gas in it (critical!), some new plugs, and pull away.
Do that , push fresh gas in it (critical!), some new plugs, and pull away.
You're not going anywhere without fixing the deadman switch... it's possible to bypass it though. But remember...... on most outboards.... the emergency cutoff switch wiring also connects to the transmission shift lever and the motor bracket. This means it won't start unless you have the motor in neutral, and in the "down" position...even if the deadman clip is set correctly.
The purpose is to prevent over revving the engine if it kicks up out of the water, or slips out of gear. In a small boat situation, the deadman clip would be attached to a lanyard that you could tie to your wrist when driving the boat.. that way, if you fell off or had a heart attack you could kill the motor by yanking out the clip.
The purpose is to prevent over revving the engine if it kicks up out of the water, or slips out of gear. In a small boat situation, the deadman clip would be attached to a lanyard that you could tie to your wrist when driving the boat.. that way, if you fell off or had a heart attack you could kill the motor by yanking out the clip.
I got some time to work on the motor some more. I took the throttle control apart to get to the kill switch and there isn't any place for a clip. I used a bit of ether and it fired up for a second. I'm assuming from this that the clip isn't needed and has been bypassed. Now I think I'm down to a gas issue. The bulb won't pump up tight but it did yesterday. I wanted a project boat to get back into sailing and I got it. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
A gasoline engine should NEVER need ether to start or run - gasoline is already so explosive in itself. I would sooner take off the air silencer and dribble a little mixed gas into the intake or use a little squirt from a plastic bottle. You definitely have a fuel delivery problem.
While I was in the military I saw many many a tax payer owned gas engine destroyed
by a guy in camouflage with a can of ether. It strips all lubricate instantly from your cylinder walls. Not good.
If your ball won't pump up it could be bad, or sometimes if you have your fuel tank sitting on the ground the fuel pump can't lift the gas as high as a mounted engine. Put the tank up in the boat above the engine. If the fuel pump is shot - buy a reman entire unit. They are cheep and using an overhaul kit can be a real pain - believe me I know! I had to assemble mine 30 TIMES before I got it right. The rebuild instructions for the fuel pump on Leeroys site is one item that is clear as mud - on an otherwise awesome site.
Good luck to you coming from a hater of ether.
While I was in the military I saw many many a tax payer owned gas engine destroyed
by a guy in camouflage with a can of ether. It strips all lubricate instantly from your cylinder walls. Not good.
If your ball won't pump up it could be bad, or sometimes if you have your fuel tank sitting on the ground the fuel pump can't lift the gas as high as a mounted engine. Put the tank up in the boat above the engine. If the fuel pump is shot - buy a reman entire unit. They are cheep and using an overhaul kit can be a real pain - believe me I know! I had to assemble mine 30 TIMES before I got it right. The rebuild instructions for the fuel pump on Leeroys site is one item that is clear as mud - on an otherwise awesome site.
Good luck to you coming from a hater of ether.
Update. Bought a new gas container and hose to eliminate using the tank on the boat, ordered a new control handle and collar just to see the settings - the plastic was crumbling and built a stand to put the motor on. It still didn't start so went to the next step and pulled the carb. It really needed cleaning and was easier to do than I expected. Put it all back together and now I'm a happer sailor! Now I just need to get the mast up and figure out the rigging - I've never seen it rigged. Hopefully will be launching soon. Thanks to all.