For the love of God man plz help!! No Spark

[Meals_on_Reels]

Before I get started here is the Info: Tecumseh 640-19 (AV-817), 7.5HP Gamefisher.

This is the problem. I have no idea how to set the timing. My service manual says the 640's are solid state. My 640 is not. I assure you from the crustyness of the OEM parts I removed and the fact that there was green overspray on those parts (same as outboard color) that they are the original pieces and this was not some type of conversion. So, that pretty much throws my manual into the toilet. The specs for the AV 750, 817, 520, & 600 are all different. All have different BTDC timing specs and I cannot use the proceedure for the 817 because it is for solid state.

All of my ignition parts are new. I tested every single thing I could and everything checks out.

I have my points set to open on the highest area of the breaker cam lobe (also marked by an Arrow). My points are set to .020 which is the only thing the same in my manual for all the engine models.
The points are spotless and new.

I cannot get a spark for anything!! The resistance in the coil is good and the condenser is new.

The flywheel magnet is quite strong (holds half inch drive 17mm deep impact socket tightly to the flywheel)

I am thinking the reason I am not getting a spark is becuase the timing is in some way completely jacked up.

The motor started just a few weeks back but was rough. I tried to do a tune up and really made a mess of things. Now I cant go fishing & my wife is chewing my arse for spending money on a boat I can't even use.

I am very very very frustrated. I have checked, doubled checked, triple checked, surfed the web for hours until I thought my head might just very well combust.

I cannot get an answer from anyone or anyplace. I have made phone calls, forum post/threads and I havent got nuthin! no one wants anything to do with these motors.

I know you may not have the answer I am looking for, and yes you are doing a great justice to the bronzebacks escaping my wrath, but please if you can point me in the right direction or link me to someone who can help I would be very grateful.

I have seen something that intrigued me but when I inquired to the dealer about them I never got a response. Has anyone heard of the NOVA II ignition modules? I also found some similar called ATOM ignition modules. They are supposed to do away with the points and condenser and it says no timing is required. Any thoughts on that?

I just can't figure out why there is no spark when everything is new and tests fine. It would have to be timing would it not? How can I find the correct timing proceedure for this engine type if my service manual doesent even list it?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

If the points are opening at the high point of the cam lobe, that's all there is to it. Check your wiring really carefully and make sure you aren't grounding something that shouldn't be grounded. Check the spark plug wire to make sure it's fully inserted in the coil.

The magneto coil could look good but be bad internally. The condenser could be shorted internally. You can test that by removing its wire from the points and temporarily installing the flywheel and checking for spark.

Check everything to make sure it's properly installed and insulated. Make sure the points are completely clean. Even a thin film of oil will make them not work. Use some printer paper between the points and drag it through to remove the last traces of oil

Finally, does your engine have an external coil mounted on the head. If so, it's a solid state ignition. If not, and it has points and condenser, it's a straight magneto.

Don't put a lot of money in the thing, please. It will only break your heart. You can pick up a running one for less than $100 in most places. That's the best option. Even better is a Johnson or Evinrude, but that will set you back a bit more.

 

[Meals_on_Reels]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Its definately points ignition. I replaced all the parts (Plug, Coil, condenser & points) myself.
Unless I got a bad condenser everything else checks out.
I tested the resistance of the lead wire, through the coil to the block and got a reading of 5.4 ohms which is good.
Checked the continuity of the points while closed and there was 0 resitance.

Everything is good is except my headache. I am completely at a loss but I am too far invested to just toss it to the wind.

 

[JB]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Tell us something about your problem in your title, MOR. We get several hundred posts a day and you are likely to be ignored unless you give us a clue whether we can help or not.

You have just wasted my time.

 

[Meals_on_Reels]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

You have just wasted my time.

Wow, that was extremely rude. Sorry you lost a whole 20 seconds of your life. Prolly took you that long to write your useless response, you wasted your own time.

My useless title is just as bad as your useless answer.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Step out of the box and think what you have replaced..... just about everything.

Your wife is mad at you too?

Way too much drama! Are you sure there is not a kill switch closed?

 

[mortaz]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Hi
From the description I think there is miss contact in the switches or wire please check all over with meter and take deep breath with every thing

mortaz

 

[Meals_on_Reels]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

Re: For the love of God man plz help!!

The only "kill switch" type mechanism is a screw that grounds out the stator plate as the twist grip handle reaches the stop position. Other than that there is no other kill switch.

I thought maybe the insulation on something might be frayed or damaged on one of the wires, so I have already completely disassembled it this morning. Everything looks good. Replaced it all, re-set the points and still the same result.

I am going to swing out to a local lawnmower service and repair facility today and see if I throw some cash in their face if they will make it work.

I had a bit of money come my way but I hate to have to spend $700-800 on another outboard when I have already put so much into this one. Everything on this motor is in great condition. It just wont spark.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!! No Spark

Well, now that you've calmed down a little, I have some advice. Depending on where you are, you should be able to pick up a 6hp Johnson or Evinrude in good running condition for about $300-400. The year doesn't matter all that much...it's the condition that counts, but that price should get you a nice one from the 70s or 80s.

It will run circles around any Eska-based 7.5, and parts are always available. It doesn't vibrate, isn't noisy, and has a full shifting lower unit. They all weigh less than 60 lb. in short shaft. They all run on 50:1 fuelil.

I have no idea how much you have invested in your Eska. It's too much, however much it is. If you can get it running without spending very much more money, sell it while it's still running to some poor unsuspecting soul and buy a real water-cooled two-cylinder outboard motor. You'll thank yourself every time you are out in the middle of the lake and it starts with half a pull.

Keep the Eska, and that middle-of-the-lake experience will be different at some point. The constant vibration of that lawnmower engine will have loosened something in the carb and it won't start. I guarantee it.

I used to think I could save money with old, off-brand outboards. Then I bought a Johnson 6 hp. Now, I go fishing. Before, I did more cursing at those crappy outboards than I did fishing.

You may take my advice for whatever you think it's worth.

 

[Meals_on_Reels]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!! No Spark

I refuse to give up on this motor. The local small motor service shop said he had no doubts he could get it to run and has fixed several. Problem is he is backed up 3 weeks as it is right now.

I dropped it off and told him to get to it as time permits and just make sure it is as close to 100% as he can get it.

Going on a 4 hour round trip tomorrow to pick up a 70's model 9.5hp Johnson. Even though the seller says its in perfect running condition I will still have to take it in and get it serviced before I hit the water with it.

After I get the gamefisher repaired I think I am just going to pass it down to my brother to use on his 12ft tinny since he has no outboard.

Sigh..... what a headache.

 

[Meals_on_Reels]

Re: For the love of God man plz help!! No Spark

Just wanted to say I picked up that 9.5 Johnson and now I understand what everyone was saying. The Johnson is 42 years old (14 years older than the gamefisher) and starts on the second pull every time I try, and runs smooth.

Prolly just do as everyone has suggested and either part the 7.5 out or quick sell it as is. I don't think even if it was repaired I would feel right handing it down to my little brother.

Thanks for the advice guys, you can catch me in the Jonson forums with a slightly better non-irritated attitude.

Happy Fishing!