I have a 1987 Stratos 181 pro with a 1984 Evinrude 185hp on the back(E185TLCRS). I recently bought this boat not too long ago and it has never run right. when you press the gas it either bogs really bad or it just stalls. when I squeeze the primer bulb it never got hard it just leaked out the carbs into airbox.

 

Looked online said check carbs

 

So I rebuilt the carbs with oem evinrude parts. when I did I found that none of the carbs had any clips holding the needle to the floats. I thoroughly cleaned carbs put them back together solved leaking carbs and bulb is firm when squeezed now.

 

I took it out it still bogged and stalled this time I had help. I got the boat to 45 mph but 2 people had to lay on the bow to get it on plane . I was happy first time getting the boat on plane since purchasing it. On  the way back when I started the motor it sounded noticeably different. The motor was much louder and a little clunky. We did the same thing went to the bow got it back on plane. Then on the way back the over heat alarm went off. I shut it down right away and I saw some smoke coming from the motor.

 

I did two things differently than any other time. After I rebuilt the carbs I left the air box off from when I was testing it to see if it still leaked when squeezing the bulb (dumb mistake) and messed with the idle screw to help with the bogging I told you about.

 

So I ran the motor when I was testing it without the airbox and I had the cowling was off from messing with the idle screw (dumb mistake)

 

The next day I did a compression test cold. Ran the motor about a minute probably less. I didn’t have it at WOT I forgot and they all read 80 and one at 85 ( harbor freight tool)

 

I took it out another time after that ran it  no alarm no smoke but I didn’t take it over 10 mph. The motor didn’t run well still bogs and not sound quite right

 

I bought a timing light and was going to check that next. I also got a rebuild kit for the diaphragm in the vro fuel pump and then I got I contact with you

 

 

I assume you've put fresh spark plugs in it?

^ I'd also check the timing and compression.

Have you checked fuel pump?

 

My 1987 recently did not start on water. Primer bulb pumped up tight. But it would not fire up. Not getting fuel. But it was enough to sputter once in a while maybe because the primer bulb was forcing some fuel through the pump into cylinders.

 

I guessed it was fuel pump being so old, and just got lucky this time. I replace it and she fired right up last outing.

 

I can not imagine how much that would have cost me to take it in to have someone else diagnose it.

 

My old 1987 OMD MARS motor fuel pump cost me all of $14 with free shipping. I could not be happier this time around. Maybe your repair will be as painless and as fast.

 

Oddly enough, I just checked ebay for your fuel pump for "1984 Evinrude 185hp" and it shows your motor uses the exact one my motor does (if correct). And it was very easy to replace and took me less than 5 minutes. I did swap out the original wire ties and go with adjustable steel clamps instead.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156928612925

 

 

I mistakenly typed OMD motor above.

 

It is an OMC or, Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) was a maker of Evinrude, Johnson and Gale Outboard Motor 1929-2000. Yours is more than likely a commercially available model.

 

I bought a used military model known as MARS. Great motors. Mine still runs like new and on original 1987 settings.

 

I believe the key to keeping them running so long without settings changed is fuel treatment. I have used a combination of products in my fuel for decades and never have any gumming up issues fortunately or fuel that decomposes over time due to fuel stabilizers. It helps.

 

 

PM Way2slow, Kieth is the expert on your engine.

Tom

On 10/13/2025 at 10:58 AM, casts_by_fly said:

I assume you've put fresh spark plugs in it?

Yes I put 6 new plugs BUHX

Last summer (summer of 24') I had a bogging issue with my 92' Evinrude V4 90hp...the symptoms sound very similar to yours (bogging down, alarm going off, ect...)   @Way2slow helped me out significantly -- As @WRB-2.0 has suggested I would connect with him - he is very knowledgeable

 

For my motor the fix was deleting/removing the VRO, replacing the fuel pump and all of the fuel lines (under the cowling and from the tank to the motor) - the most difficult part for me to source was the fuel rail as it is configured differently from the one used when the VRO is in use....I also changed the plugs and plug wires. I believe I got the fuel rail from a salvage yard in FL, I would have to check again and see.

 

Prior to this fix (and replacing the water pump, which was complicated due to a broken bolt) I had never in my life done anything like this - I am medium at best with mechanical aptitude - yet with the help of  @Way2slow , buying a manual for the motor (I highly suggest that if you do not already have one) and a whole lot of grit and determination I did it and this year the motor has run very well (but it's an Evinrude so it still does not like to start, nor does it like to idle, but it loves to GO !) 

 

I wish you all the best with your fix !

On 10/13/2025 at 11:20 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:

Have you checked fuel pump?

 

My 1987 recently did not start on water. Primer bulb pumped up tight. But it would not fire up. Not getting fuel. But it was enough to sputter once in a while maybe because the primer bulb was forcing some fuel through the pump into cylinders.

 

I guessed it was fuel pump being so old, and just got lucky this time. I replace it and she fired right up last outing.

 

I can not imagine how much that would have cost me to take it in to have someone else diagnose it.

 

My old 1987 OMD MARS motor fuel pump cost me all of $14 with free shipping. I could not be happier this time around. Maybe your repair will be as painless and as fast.

 

Oddly enough, I just checked ebay for your fuel pump for "1984 Evinrude 185hp" and it shows your motor uses the exact one my motor does (if correct). And it was very easy to replace and took me less than 5 minutes. I did swap out the original wire ties and go with adjustable steel clamps instead.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/156928612925

 

 

That was high on my list of things to check. I even bought a rebuild kit that came with replacement diaphragms for the VRO(the oil section is plugged I premix).I looked at the link and it seems to work for my motor but the description says I need two for my V6. I need to find a YouTube on how to connect the two pumps. I also saw this and similar items on eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/334654855935?_skw=185hp+vro+pump+replacement&itmmeta=01K7VHFPX3ZPQEEC6PMNJH70SV&hash=item4deafbdaff:g:tI4AAOSw2SdhANRl&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1ehy4VVqqmkXh9smWwKRb61DWve4cJCsjXqh%2Bn8rAO7UeWTVnZAVAn%2BEWveJ97n0idjxmCe1Ii8gv3NITptVuHdyLI98wId%2B2uy38GtQZItgrGTRt2%2BRDJhC06f5t1o603dnqPSjt0P5Y10iV5idS%2Fp6FlmqFZj3cijkILVX3W3a4wGrP5vfzCyJief7YGx%2Fu4gM6EnUsNyevoQ7CATIRiDsjSLj2ph95oU2atiK80DfWEqZWLBwzBzSv16Kb5BSeycSvErgeujuw3i2OhO9Tl0|tkp%3ABk9SR9DuvvG-Zg

PM Kieth with no reply so that is out for now.

Tom

He PM'd me but I just read it today and I sent him some info that should get him going in the right direction to troubleshooting it.

^^^^Thank you^^^^
Tom

Just for grins I fed it into chatgpt and grok.com (both free editions) and they both pointed out was that compression test sounded low (but needed to be run hot not cold) and were on the VRO track too. 

Most of the mid 80's to early 90's OMC V4's and V6's only motors only had about 85 pounds of compression, give or take a few pounds.  When the producers started going to this junk they sell for gasoline now, OMC went overboard with allowing for it to start with.  A motor can run 130 psi compression on good, fresh 87 octane gas but how many people actually always keep good fresh gas in their tanks.  Gasoline loses octane quickly, especially when the boat is left sitting outside in the sun and heat and people let that S**t sit in their tanks for months on end and still run it.  They had to allow for that.  With the better ignition control systems they have now, they have bumped the compression up a lot on them.  It's amazing how many people wonder why they melted a piston. lost compression or engine blew in the spring after running that gas the left sitting in the tank all winter (or just runs like crap).  Do yourself and motor a favor, when you know you are not going to be using the boat for a couple of months, take the gas out and run it in the car (if not premixed) or lawn mower or something if premixed.

Thanks guys for the help I’m going to look into the suggestions and let you guys know how everything goes