1994 225 Vindicator

dnovitt

Cadet
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Feb 18, 2010
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10
I have recently purchased a 1994 Gambler with a 225 Vindicator, which has had a new powerhead in 2003. After months of refubishment on the boat I put it in the water for shake down. Started and ran ok at idle speeds, however when I attemted to open it up it would not go beyond 1800 RPMS. New gas, tank previosly drained, new batteries, compression checks read 105 in all cyliders plus or minus. Where do I start?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Nov 11, 2005
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51,019
Re: 1994 225 Vindicator

After months------- carbs probably varnished up, high speed jets clogged.
 

dnovitt

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Feb 18, 2010
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Re: 1994 225 Vindicator

I think you idea is sound but I can shift into neutral and can rev it up to 6000 RPMS. It seems that when I put in gear it will only get up to 1800 RPMS.
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: 1994 225 Vindicator

no load in neutral, it is a 6 cyclinder, and can rev that high on 2 cylinders.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: 1994 225 Vindicator

You may be running on three cylinders due to a mis-aligned shift assist switch; try temporarily disconnecting the black wire from the switch.
 

jonesg

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Feb 22, 2008
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7,198
Re: 1994 225 Vindicator

Get a spark gap tester, set the gap to 7/16th inch , pull all the plugs, ground them all except one.

Plug the gap tester into the first one you test, clip to ground and have someone crank the engine over, you should get a strong blue spark. Find the plugs that are not sparking.

You can use a remote starter switch, I just use a wire with a clip on one end and jump the starter solenoid when working alone.

I think you'll find a couple of dead holes, remove the coils and look for cracks in the potting epoxy or cracks (very small cracks).
You can also mark the dead coils and try swapping them with good ones, see if the problem follws the coil, if the problem stays in the same cylinder after swapping them out then test the powerpack.

Is the 94 225 an optical ignition?
Be carefull revving it up with no load, the dead cylinders might not be getting lube.

If the spark checks out ok on all cylinders , you might try pushing the ignition key in when shifting into gear to give it a shot of fuel, in which case rebuild the carbs with kits.
 

dnovitt

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Joined
Feb 18, 2010
Messages
10
Re: 1994 225 Vindicator

Thanks for all your help. Followed your thoughts and finally located my problem. Hot foot cable connection not allowing wot.

Dave
 
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