Motor issue
Moderators: bman, Chalk, Tom Keels
Motor issue
Hey all. I've run into a little issue with my motor. It's an Evinrude 112 SPL (1996). I knew it was hard starting when I bought the boat. Sometimes it takes 4-5 minutes to get it started. Not a big deal to me. But it has a problem with idling. It frequently cut out when I put it in neutral or shift it to neautral to put it in reverse. It runs fine otherwise. A friend of mine told me to run some fuel cleaner/additive through it. I'd changed the spark plugs and wires earlier because I didn't know if the previous owner had gapped them right. The plugs looked fine but I replaced them anyway. So, any ideas would be appreciated.
Your carbs have two jets each, a low or idle jet and a main jet. Very possible a low idle jet is clogged. Also one of the coils could be breaking down at Idle. Fuel filter, Fuel pump has a screen in it, loose or cracked fuel lines, Just a thought, but I have had several OMC V-4s and they all Idled alittle rough. Good luck! 
Sea Ya !
I've never seen an OMC V4 that wasn't cold natured. But once warmed up, it should run fine.
The suggestions you've gotten are all possibilities. Sea Fox is correct on the carbs. But there isn't an addative made that will clean the jets. The carbs on that motor are very simple. Take them apart, clean them with carb cleaner, and blow out every passage with compressed air. His suggestion about a clogged screen is also a possability. Check your fuel fitting, as well as checking for cracked fuel lines.. One other possibility is a worn throttle cable. If it has worn over time, it will let the butterfly's close more. There is also a process known as sync and link for those motors. The carb linkage snaps into the plates on the carbs, and is held in place with a small slotted nylon bushing. If the bushings are worn, the carbs will be out of sync. The piece of linkage between the two carbs is adjustable.
If you decide to try adjusting the idle, be aware that adjusting the large screw on the starboard side of the motor also affects the timing.
For what it's worth, most of those motors would idle better if trimmed up a little, however, they start better if trimmed all the way down.
The suggestions you've gotten are all possibilities. Sea Fox is correct on the carbs. But there isn't an addative made that will clean the jets. The carbs on that motor are very simple. Take them apart, clean them with carb cleaner, and blow out every passage with compressed air. His suggestion about a clogged screen is also a possability. Check your fuel fitting, as well as checking for cracked fuel lines.. One other possibility is a worn throttle cable. If it has worn over time, it will let the butterfly's close more. There is also a process known as sync and link for those motors. The carb linkage snaps into the plates on the carbs, and is held in place with a small slotted nylon bushing. If the bushings are worn, the carbs will be out of sync. The piece of linkage between the two carbs is adjustable.
If you decide to try adjusting the idle, be aware that adjusting the large screw on the starboard side of the motor also affects the timing.
For what it's worth, most of those motors would idle better if trimmed up a little, however, they start better if trimmed all the way down.
What was I supposed to do today?
