Can "wet shaft" prevent spark?

[ozzydan11]

Recently i picked up a 45HP Chrysler (not Magnapower) in absolutely mint condition. I believe the motor hadn't been started for many years and the lack of spark pointed to an inspection under the flywheel.

I struggled with the removal of my flywheel. Three damaged pullers later i finally had the elusive "pop" and access to the points (As part of the removal process i absolutely flooded the shaft in WD40 and a penetrator substance). Now i cleaned the points and hastily reattached the flywheel in the hope of the motor kicking over. However there was still no spark. So now i am wondering whether the large amounts of fluid on the shaft from my efforts to soak the flywheel to aid in removal could be responsible for no spark. I have since removed the flywheel again and cleaned (removed all traces of the fluid). But i can't bring myself to reattach the flywheel only to find it yet again needs removal.

Any advice
Dan

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Can "wet shaft" prevent spark?

What did you clean the points with and was the gap correctly set? Does the boat have a kill switch that may be activated (lanyard missing).

 

[ozzydan11]

Re: Can "wet shaft" prevent spark?

I cleaned the points with petrol, there was a powdery build up on them that came off quiet easily. The motor is a 1972 model, there is no lanyard on it that i know off.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can "wet shaft" prevent spark?

RE-gap the points to .020 INCH. Take off the point wicks ( little white felt squares that touch the cam) and clean them then re-lubricate with a small amount of lube designed for this purpose or (I have been known to do this) lower unit lube. Do not soak them as it will splash off and foul the points. As mentioned above be certain there is no kill switch. Be certain the two brown wires that look like lamp cord are not shorted--these will kill the engine by shorting the points together. That's the normal method of stopping magneto ignition engines. Be certain the white and brown wires are attached to the two "M" terminals on the switch (magneto ignition). However, for the time being, disconnect them from the engine terminal for testing. If you get spark, the switch is bad.

It is rare, but bad condensers will also cause lack of spark. If they are cracked, or the wires frayed; if they are missing or the wires not attached correctly, no spark will result.

The two brown wires and the condenser wires should connect to the nut terminal on the points where the spring attaches (Magneto). You need to also check the primary winding wires where they attach to the points and where they attach to the magneto core assuming you have magneto ignition. Cracked magneto coils usually need replacement. If you have external coils, (battery ignition) check that the Blue wire is supplying power from the switch to the coils. In this case, it should be connected to the "I" terminal on the switch.

With the plugs removed, you can check for spark without tightening the flywheel nut. HOWEVER: DO NOT start the engine without torqueing the flywheel nut to 95 foot pounds. Improperly torqued will result in kicking the flywheel and snapping the key.

 

[ozzydan11]

Re: Can "wet shaft" prevent spark?

Got it started

I decided to try once more, so again the flywheel was put on. Started first go. All i can put it down to was the excessive amounts of fluid located around the shaft. The felt wicks where literally dripping. I thoroughly cleaned (removed) all the fluid, reassembled and hey presto one running motor. This is my 4th Chrysler and i haven't come across this before. Next to tackle the impellar. Thanks all for the advice offered.