Home Forum Ask A Member 1948 Elgin 3.5 hp first run issue

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  • #4616
    Buccaneer
    Participant

      US Member

      I put the little Elgin on the boat for the first time this afternoon.
      The carburetor was completely gone thru and cleaned.
      The points were cleaned, and new orange drop capacitors installed.
      Initially it ran great at mid range to high speed, but would spit some
      when idling, but okay when partially choked. I kept trying to "rich’n"
      up the low speed to no avail, when I learned this is one of those
      carbs you turn the low speed "clockwise" to make it run richer 🙄
      I spent the next hour trolling, fishing and enjoying the nice day.
      When I went to zip back to the landing at high speed (not exactly
      a nail biting ride with a 3.5 hp!), twice it sounded like the throttle
      went to half speed, but after a few seconds it wound back up to full
      speed. It didn’t spit and sputter.
      What’s your diagnosis Doc, and where should I start looking ?
      All in all, it’s a great little trolling motor for my old AlumaCraft.

      Prepare to be boarded!

      #39198
      dave-bernard
      Participant

        US Member

        look at fuel flow to carb.(filter)

        #39210
        frankr
        Participant

          Is that a twin cylinder motor? Your story sounds like it may have stopped firing on one cylinder. Could be as simple a a flake of carbon getting stuck to a spark plug. Of course this diagnosis goes out the window if it is a single cylinder motor.

          #39221
          Buccaneer
          Participant

            US Member

            Gas tank was shiny clean inside and I made a new in tank
            screen. Will recheck the gas cap vent though.
            It is a twin cylinder. Will look at the spark plugs.
            It didn’t make any "mis-fire" noises, i.e., sputtering,
            popping, etc. Just sounded like it went abruptly to half
            throttle, then built back up to full speed, all in a matter
            of ten seconds or so.

            Prepare to be boarded!

            #39226
            frankr
            Participant

              That abrupt change back and forth to half power certainly does indicate a cylinder cutting in and out.

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