Here’s some instructions on how to operate your Evinrude/Johnson 4hp 2 stroke “Seahorse”. Refer to the manufacturer’s user guides first but this all works for me

Evinrude and Johnson 4HP 2 stroke operating instructions

Fuel is 50:1 unleaded to outboard 2 stroke oil (I use Shell Nautilus). Only use fresh, clean, fuel

To start:-

First check the water inlets under the cavitation plate are clear, one either side and they do get blocked on this style of engine with weed etc

NEVER start the engine out of the water, the water level needs to be above the lower cavitation plate (blue)and preferably up the at least the upper plate (yellow)

Hold outer fuel cap (blue) and loosen vent (yellow) by turning anti-clockwise

Make sure gear selector is in Neutral (Vertical)

Turn on Fuel by rotating anti-clockwise – (shown as off) , Close choke by pulling this knob out (Shown as open)

Slide throttle to start position and Pull the start handle

The engine should fire after 1 or 2 pulls, when it does, open the choke by pushing the knob back in.

IF the engine does not start, make sure the vent is open & fuel turned on, push the choke back in, increase the throttle slightly beyond idle and re-try

When running slide the throttle back to the idle position slowly, it will take 30 seconds or so for the engine to warm up and idle properly

Check you have a “mist” of water coming out the tell tale holes on the leg when the engine is running which shows you have cooling water flowing through the engine

When you are ready to go, with the throttle still in the idle position, engage forward gear by shifting the red handle forwards

You may need to slightly increase the throttle after you have selected forwards (Your engine is now pushing you forwards ) to maintain idle if the engine isn’t warm enough, then sliding the throttle obviously increases speed (Max shown)

Before coming out of forward drive bring the throttle back to idle

To stop the engine simply slide the throttle fully to the left

When you are finished for the day, close the fuel vent holding the outer and turning the ipper clockwise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And turn off the fuel by rotating this knob clockwise (Shown off)

When you are moving the engine off the boat, make sure the fuel vent is closed, fuel turned off and try to keep the engine as upright as possible

The engine will really benefit from a fresh water flush after each use and as a minimum before it is left longer than a few days.

I’m always available to service and winterise your engine when the season finishes which is much better than leaving it with old fuel in and no fresh water flush over winter, if it doesn’t start in spring after a winter service and winterisartion I will fix if for free.

Thanks. Tony