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2 Stroke Outboard Technical Question

2749 Views 15 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  1eyered
My 9.5 hp "I'm not even sure of the make" starts, but only when handle is on fast speed (which is kinda scary if you think about it) and will not go into gear. The motor sounds good and clean and once I get it started, I can turn it down to the start position where the idle sounds normal. When started, it will sound like it should at top end speed. My problem is that the motor will not go into gear so the prop just sits and does nothing.

Any suggestions? Should I get it checked out by an outboard motor shop? Is this a common problem with outboards?

The owner did do a demonstration of the motor when I bought it and he got it into gear to show me the prop does spin. However, the owner did tell me that the handle is kind of tricky and quite sensitive. I know it's a good motor cause it sounds healthy when on, but me and my motor need to get to know eachother a little more.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Repairs on the old 2 strokes are costly sometimes, and parts not easily come by.
Not that you cant get info here but the BEST place for motor questions by far is the forum at www.iboats.com LOOOOOts of info there.


-Jay
I have an old (1985 or so) 15 hp Chrysler that had the same starting problem which I cured by disassembling the carburetor and cleaning all the little parts and blowing out the ports with an air compressor. However, this is not something to be undertaken lightly if you are not familiar with small engine carburetors, and if you lose any little parts you are probably dead, because you might not be able to get replacements any more.

From a less technical standpoint you might check the choke knob and linkage and make sure the butterfly valve is actually working when you choke it. (You do use the choke to start, don't you?)

The failure to shift into gear could be a problem with the shift lever and the linkage attached to it. This is something you could probably inspect visually without taking it apart. (Well, OK, you have to take the hood off.) The linkage could be stretched or bent, or one end may have come off.

If you can't find anything there, you are probably stuck with taking it to a professional.

If you only knew the make and year, there are lots of outboard motor manuals available on line and you could probably get one. Without a manual, one has to rely on basic knowledge of small 2-stroke engines in general. Not necessarily a good thing for those who never got the opportunity to learn that stuff.

Outboard motors are wonderful devices when they work, and they are &*!$% when they don't.
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Thanks guys..
Nawanda said:
Repairs on the old 2 strokes are costly sometimes, and parts not easily come by.
I can second that, I got my boat out of the shop a week ago after it was in for 5 weeks! The motor is '76 and it was hard and i mean very hard to find a flywheel that would fit it, (they finally figured out a way to recondition the old one) and the price was outrageous, nearly as much as they cost new when they were still making them.
G
I STRONGLY recommend Crowley Marine!!!

They rebuilt TWO 28 year old outboards for my houseboat, and they are like NEW! The prices were right, and they were very open and honest with me about what was needed, and how much it would cost...UP FRONT.

Sorry to sound like an infomercial, but when somebody is righteous, we gotta let each other know!

By the way, they have worked on my 2000 Nitro as well, and the expereince was awesome!
EyeGuy said:
I STRONGLY recommend Crowley Marine!!!

They rebuilt TWO 28 year old outboards for my houseboat, and they are like NEW! The prices were right, and they were very open and honest with me about what was needed, and how much it would cost...UP FRONT.

Sorry to sound like an infomercial, but when somebody is righteous, we gotta let each other know!

By the way, they have worked on my 2000 Nitro as well, and the expereince was awesome!
Thanks.. I'll have to look that up.
Crowley Marine, Uinta & 13th in East Denver....They've got lots of old outboards that people have donated, and they just might have some parts left over...used...but working
G
Mercs and More did a majior tune up on my1979 - 9.9 Chrysler on time and for what they said it would cost. It runs great here in the garage, hope to find out tomorrow on the lake!
I think the next time I need work I will drive the extra distance and give Crowley a try. It was very frustrating waiting as long as I did for my boat. I assume that Crowley is good about calling and keeping you posted? You don't have to call them and raise hell?

Dan
G
Well Mercs and More did a great job on my old outboard, It ran perfect all day. Never stalled or spit or lost spark or leaked !

Dan
tuppergun said:
Well Mercs and More did a great job on my old outboard, It ran perfect all day. Never stalled or spit or lost spark or leaked ! 

      Dan
Just curious... How much did they charge you to do such a great job?!
G
I just sent you a e-mail, hourly rates :eek: are not cheap anywhere!
G
1eyered...DON'T CHOOSE A SHOP BECUASE OF THEIR LABOR RATE!!!!

BIG MISTAKE!!!

Brother, you would not choose a SURGEON for your BABY by his price!!!!


Technicians are THE SAME THING...it is a matter of experience, quality, and expertise...aling with ETHICS.

Most boat mechanincs are underpaid and move from shop to shop...you should pick a place that has been around for a long time and who is financially helathy...OTHERWISE, they may not be there to honor the warranty...ESPECIALLY in today's economy!

Don't just go to the cheapes place or you'll get burned :'(...just ask ANYONE who bought one of those 99 dollar brake jobs!
EyeGuy said:
1eyered...DON'T CHOOSE A SHOP BECUASE OF THEIR LABOR RATE!!!!

BIG MISTAKE!!!

Brother, you would not choose a SURGEON for your BABY by his price!!!!


Technicians are THE SAME THING...it is a matter of experience, quality, and expertise...aling with ETHICS.

Most boat mechanincs are underpaid and move from shop to shop...you should pick a place that has been around for a long time and who is financially helathy...OTHERWISE, they may not be there to honor the warranty...ESPECIALLY in today's economy!

Don't just go to the cheapes place or you'll get burned  :'(...just ask ANYONE who bought one of those 99 dollar brake jobs!
If you're talking about the brake jobs from Brakes Plus, then I'm one of the fools who fell for it. ::)
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