Evinrude 225 looper high oil consumption

[duffel]

Hello:

I have a 1987 Evinrude 225 equipped with a VRO system.  The last time I ran the engine I noticed a fair amount of blue smoke coming from the exhaust.  When I put the boat on the trailer and did my usual check of the VRO tank oil level, I found that more than the usual amount oil had been used, and there was evidence of very dark (black?) oil dripping from the hub at the bottom of the propeller.  I pulled the prop, inspected the prop shaft seals, and determined that the oil is not coming from the gear case.  Also, I noticed that the very little bit of the exhaust manifold that one can see with the propeller removed was very oily.  I have never in the past experienced difficulty with the VRO system.  It has functioned well since I’ve owned the boat.    

Is there anyone among the membership who has experience a similar problem?  I welcome any suggestions as to how I should proceed to track down the source of the problem.  Thanks.

Regards,

duffel

[Georgie]

Duffel,

If all else is the same, and you've been running the engine with no issues for a while which is why this increased oil consumption, smoke, and oil stand out to you, then your two most likely options are leaky float needles in the carbs, or a malfunctioning VRO, but VRO's honestly don't go bad all that often unless you have the first generation VRO.  Do you have your engine model number so I can confirm if this a crossflow or looper engine?  I can't remember off the top of my head, but think they made V6 versions of both in 1987.?  Another possibility for excess fuel/oil is a free-flowing primer solenoid.  

I'd first take out your spark plugs to see if any particular cylinders are receiving more fuel than the others which will allow you to identify a carb related problem.  Also, when was the last time the carbs were serviced, what do you use for fuel, and how often do you use the boat?

[Georgie]

combined two posts into one.

[duffel]

Hello Ryan:

Thanks for the reply.  The model number is E225TXCUB.  The boat has been laid up during the winter (winter boating isn't too nice on Cheseapeake Bay), and I've had it out only a few times (total of perhaps 10 - 12 hours) since mid-April of this year.  I try to run only non-ethanol fuel, but it isn't always available.  If memory serves (questionable at my age), there is non-ethanol fuel in the tank right now.  The engine has truely been reliable and trouble-free.  I've not experienced any problems with the carbs since I've owned the boat, so I've never gotten into them.  Could be that they could use some attention.  Per your suggestion, I'll checks the plugs to see if there is any particular cylinder that is at fault.  Thanks again.

Regards,

duffel

[Georgie]

 Let us know what you find.

[duffel]

Hello Ryan:

Over the weekend I was back at he boat trying to figure out the oil problem.  As you suggested, I pulled the plugs looking for any problems with any particular cylinder.  All the plugs are burning clean with no evidence of excessive oil at any particular cylinder.  I inspected the engine and found a small diameter hose fitting had come loose from the crankcase (see diagram).  I reinstalled it.  Also, I found that what appears to be the air silencer cover to base gasket was not properly installed (a section of it hanging loose at the lower edge).

For sake of drill, I started the engine.  As I expected, I got the same blue smoke and black oily residue floating on the surface of the test tank water.  I did notice that when I advanced the throttle by hand to appromimately 3000 RPM, after about 2-3 minutes the amount of smoke dropped off quite a bit.  There is still more smoke than there should be, but a lot less than there is at idle.

I'll be ordering a new air silencer cover to base gasket and a set of carburator kits today.  From your experience is there anything else that I should add to the parts order and/or anything else That I should be checking?  Thanks!

Regards,

duffel

[attachment=0:1upc55na]evinrude-johnson-parts-diagra1.pdf[/attachment:1upc55na]

[duffel]

Well, I finally managed to get all six carbs rebuilt on my engine.  During the adventure I found a loose ratched type hose clamp on hte VRO, a broken tie strap on the fuel line to one of the carbs and two loose tie straps on two other carbs.  I also found a couple of other problems that I'd like to correct while I still have the induction portion of the engine apart.  

According to the parts people, three parts that I need for my Evinrude 225 E225TXCUB are no longer available.  I've highlighted the parts in red on the attached pdf copies of the parts diagrams.  Does anyone know a source for NOS (New Old Stock) Evinrude parts?  Does anyone know of acceptable substitures for the parts?  I'm grateful for any help the membership can offer.  The parts are:

331597 — SEAL, BAFFLE TO CARB 200TX, 225 (1 required per assembly)
An unnumbered part shown on the diagram as part #58; it appears to be rubber seal
329748 — SEAL, SHIFT ROD (1 required per assembly)

Thanks,

duffel