Smoke is normal.? You're burning oil (or at least, you better be.)? It can be excessive for several reasons, from mechanical to mixture.? The things you can do yourself include making sure that your gasoline and oil are fresh, and that they are mixed accurately according to the ratio specified for your motor.? Cleaning up the carb will help.? Make adjustments to the rich/lean mix?(don't go to extremes in either direction) and observe any changes. In your situation, it would probably be a great idea to walk it into a shop and ask for a tune-up.? In the process they can check compression and the like.? You want your O.B. to be completely reliable. If you're keen on learning this motor inside and out, owner's and parts manuals may be available.? You'll need your model number.? Check here for starters: http://www.iboats.com/Evinrude_4_hp_Outboard_Manuals_1973_1989/dm/cart_id.19... As for the?"widening" part, I believe you're describing a cavitation plate.? Keeps surface air from being sucked down to the propeller, where it will do damage to the prop's surface. By the way, if no one has checked the level of gearcase lubricant in the bottom of the shaft, that needs to be done.? There's a trick to filling it -- ask if you need to do this. -----Original Message----- From: Andrei Caldararu <andreic@math.wisc.edu> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:06 pm Subject: M_Boats: Outboard question I have a couple of quick questions on the outboard that came with my M-17. It is the original 1981 Evinrude Yachtwin 4hp two cylinder long shaft that came with the boat. I had the spark plugs and water pump impeller replaced on it when I got it. It works fine now, but the main issue I have with it is about how much should it be in the water? As it is now mounted on my M-17, it only sticks in the water to the first widening of the shaft above the propeller (you may be able to tell that English is not my mother tongue :-)). My concern is this: way higher above the waterline there are a number of small holes in the shaft, and when running the motor there is smoke and a slight spewing of water coming out through them. This smells, and is noisy. Plus the exhaust seems to be unusually "smoky". The motor has not been used for about 6-7 years. Could there be some slush-old oil in the carburetor/cyclinders that make the mixture be weird and which when run produces the smoke? Do you think I should have the carb rebuilt or at least cleaned up? On my Compac 16 I have a very old (I guess, 1946) all-metal 3hp Evinrude with integrally mounted fuel tank. For some reason, there were none of these holes above the waterline in the shaft, and it seemed much quieter. Its exhaust was under the cowling, and I never saw much smoke coming out. Andrei. _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats