gas and electrical

[rbh]

I guess that the theme for this time of year is why does it not run right?
unlike our trucks and cars most of us dont have the luxury of running our boats every day and therefor have issues this time of the year because a vehicle that sits is just a problem waiting to happen.
Gas-
octane breaks down, shellacs the inside of carbs making every thing sticky , plugs injectors, breaks down rubber and cork parts.
electrical-
points,dirty and pitted. plug wires, insulation breaks down spark goes were ever it wants to but not to the plug, Spark Plug, crack in insulator, fouled tip poor ground to block (dirty threads)
poor connections, battery (cables and electrodes dirty, and loose), poor grounds, plugs and terminal connectors.
but the best one that had me stumped was the coil not that it did not work but it did and there was a great spark show because I used a lubricant with wool oil in it when I went to winterize it and got some on the cap.
What are other small things that get seem to creep up at this time of the year.
rbh

 

[Don S]

Re: gas and electrical

but the best one that had me stumped was the coil not that it did not work but it did and there was a great spark show because I used a lubricant with wool oil in it when I went to winterize it and got some on the cap.

High resistance in the spark plugs or wires, is mostly what causes the light show on the cap and coil.
If the plug wires are old and the ends are corroded, replace them, a yearly tuneup cures the defective cap and spark plug problem that can cause a high resistance.

Sitting over the winter shouldn't cause any varnish buildup in the carb, but not checking the fuel filter for water can leave you with water setting in the carb and plugging things up with corrosion.

Have a look at the Winterizing and summerizing threads up in the Adults only sticky. Will explain most of your questions.