Evinrude 4 HP not starting - backfires

[kooppmaster]

Hi its my first post and my first ever outboard. I have a 2 stroke 4 HP 1979 evinrude that was well looked after but ended up standing for 18 months.

I was told it was winterised and drained correctly.

Anyway I mixed some fuel and oil and read the instructions to start it but it does nothing. I took the carb off and cleaned the main jet and now I get a backfire and a little smoke but nothing else.

has anyone got any ideas... bearing in mind I am still learning the words..

Oh and I took the old spark plugs out and replaced them (first think I did)

[Rover310]

Assuming you've eliminated the fuel system as the culprit, it could be an ignition system related issue. I believe a 1979 Evinrude 4 HP would have a point & condenser ignition. Does it seem to have good compression when you pull it over?

[warder54]

Kill chord?

[Fenlander]

For me most important... pull the spark plug/s after trying to start... wet with fuel or dry?

[Davie]

Its getting a spark and fuel but not at correct time. Swap the plug leads over first, if not take off the flywheel, check the key has not broken. On this engine the cam that works the points can go on upside down. Its in correct if you can read set on it, if its upside down that the problem, it moves timing 45 degrees. Oh one thing, Do not take the big pozidrive screw out the top of this engine, remove the 4x 3/8 bolts that go up into the top cover from underneath.

[kooppmaster]

Thanks will look after work today

[kooppmaster]

You guys ROCK... I swapped the spark plug things and gave it a tug and it came to life... after a few more pulls I had it running smoothly. I let it rum for 10 minutes. It didn't even skip a beat. Many thanks guys I'm well chuffed.

[paintman]

Not a bad idea to label things when you take them off so they go back in the right place - bit of masking tape & a pen do the job nicely.