1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

[OBJ]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

'Nuther question dgassy, when you installed the new plugs, did you torques to 12ft lb.? This makes sure the two rings on the plug seat. And did you wipe off the seat before installing?<br /><br />Don't know what's up with the ohm meter readings. Maybe one of the other guys will know.<br /><br />When you put the cover on, make sure the latch attached to the cover isn't getting hold of a plug wire.

 

[dgassy]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

OBJ no i didn't torque plugs , but there tight & no i didn't wipe the seats off , i've got oil everywhere because when the spark starts jumping out of the plug wires i keep fouling plugs. i did run an external ground wire from the same place that the points are grounded to the spark plug thinking that i had either lost ground to head , or oil in plug holes were making bad contact. when i grounded the plugs it didn't stop the spark from jumping to ground. i know this because i've been running it at night so i can see if the spark is leaking or not.<br />the millon dollar question is if the spark can jump a 1/2" to ground why doesen't jump the .030 gap at the spark plug instead - that should be the easyest path to ground - shouldn't it ?<br /><br /><br />dgassy or maybe dumbfounded

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

dgassy, the onlyest thing I can think of is that the wires your using are at fault. I would try and go back to the wires that came with the coils. Nip the ends off to get a fresh start. I'm even gettin' perplexed.

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

I'm still feelin your pain dgassy.I did the same plug change on mine and It runs much better.I still notice an intermittant spark jump.I checked wires/boots and re-cut ends.I'm begining to suspect my rather new looking coils.They are blue and don't look like OEM coils i've seen before.Perplexing,annoying problem this is.Well,at least it starts and runs. <br />My last thought would be to try and find the original plug type for this motor(Champion L7J).The UL81C plugs seem to be "not exactly the right plug for the motor,but it should work" trade off.The correct plug for this motor is Champion L7J.

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

Just an update to this post.I recently discovered water droplets on the sparkplugs after running the motor.This may be causing a short and the spark jumping.I checked my fuel supply and there is no water in the gas.I suspect a head gasket.<br />My theory is the water droplets are getting between the electrode and the arm on the plugs creating a short(grounding out).This in turn creates the spark jump to least resistance.Just an idea...

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

dgassy....how you makin' out. Ain't heard from you and your spark problem.

 

[dgassy]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

glad to hear you're still thinking bout me.<br />problem hasn't went away yet- tried all kinds of diferent spark plugs to no avail - QL77JC4 with 128OLMS resistance worked best.<br />had some water seepage around head & wondered since head gasket was almost 30yrs old if i didn't high resistance between head & block - ran external ground wire to base of spark plug - no luck - changed head gasket anyway.<br />guys i'm LOST - new points,condensor,plugs,coils,two sets of wires-connectors & boots - grounds have been checked & double checked. quarter throttle at night you can see the outside of the insulator on the plug turn blue, almost glow with fire comming out from under boot and going to hex on plug. if it will jump 1 inch from tip to hex on plug why won't it (spark) jump .030 gap? <br />is it possible that the driver coil shorted out & is sending to much current to the coils - thereby makeing excessive spark ? thats the only thing i haven't changed - ordered one today , if this doesn't work i guess i'll have a good boat anchor.

 

[Mod2]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

Glad to hear from you. It's sometimes hard for any wrench to help solve a problem like this without a "hands on". <br /><br />The ignition coils that your replaced, the latest number is 502880. Sounds right?<br /><br />There are two different charge coils, one for rope start and one for electric start.<br /><br />Rope start.....581202<br />Electric start...581557<br /><br />This is a real puzzler. Got any water leaks around the area of the spark plug wires?<br /><br />We're tryin partner

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

dgassy,<br />Water entering the cylinders shorting out the plugs could be your problem.Run the motor a little while and pull the plugs.Examine the plugs(around electrode)for small drops of water.If you see water,replace head gasket and/or exhaust cover gasket.

 

[the machinist]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

I had one problem similar to this on a 9.9. When changing from one type a plug, the threads were shorter by about a half thread (tapered)on the very end of the plug. This creates a resistance against carbon build up in the heads threads when you screw the other type plugs into the head. I did not want to strip the threads in the head so stopped when it came up tight. But in reality the plug was not seated against the gasket, not totally grounding it out & it also allowed some compression leakage.<br /><br />Run a spark plug tap in the plug thread holes.<br /><br />This year motor seems to work best with the L77JC4 plugs, or it's newer replacement #821.

 

[dgassy]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

WELL----don't know where to begin haven't replaced the charge - or driver coil as i've been calling it yet, it's on order - national back order as they put it. tried napa they don't have it. it is rope start also. <br />have already changed the head gasket , thinking that somehow after almost 30yrs head had lost ground (corosion) althow it OLMed out alright, buti think water on plug electrodes would be a good path to ground and make it not fire - i have fire - but it's jumping out everywhere before it gets to plug. <br />trying new plugs has just been done for desparate measure in trying to solve problem - no carbon buildup, it's always had UL81C plugs in it & ran fine.<br />last week i had it leaking out from under spark plug boot to hex on plug - not just a spark - insulator was glowing blue - best plug for not glowing was QL77JC4 thow it was still glowing.<br />this time i installed NGK resister caps - 5000 OLM like a jet ski would use & UL81C - you guessed it, spark leaked everyhere - NOW IT'S LOOKING FOR GROUND.<br />don't know if it's possible or not but i have to belive that charge coil has gone goofey and is putting out tooooo much current and therefore over charging ignition coils - i know it sounds wierd but i don't know what else to dooooo<br /><br /><br />thanks agin you guys. it's amazing to see how quick people are to jump in and help<br /><br />dgassy

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

On my motor I had water entering the top cylinder with a NEW head gasket(not tight enough).I was told to torque the bolts 12-14 FT.LBS.(not inch pounds)by a authorized Johnson repair/dealer.This and some head gasket sealer stopped the water intrusion.Also replaced both exhaust cover gaskets,thermostat(and housing gasket).Still have same symptoms dgassy is experiencing.Trigger coil and a tune up kit are next,then maybe the ignition coils.If that does'nt get it I'm gonna get a new motor and strap this one to the bow to use as an anchor

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

dgassy said " I'm using UL81C plugs & the engine doesn't run too bad at first or until it warms up and thats when it starts craping out"<br /> Here's an idea...(from PugetSoundAnglers)Ignition: These motors have transitioned thru 4 electronic ignition systems. The first 3 years from 1974 thru 1976 has a straight magneto setup with points and condensers, but does have external coils, which are energized by what's called a "Driver Coil" located under the flywheel. If that driver coil starts to fail, is cracked, or starting to melt down, or whatever, there is a possibility that it would operate when cold, but fail by shorting out when heated up by the running of the motor.<br />I think this is my next and last investment in this motor

 

[dgassy]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

Reel Apeal - good luck on getting a new driver coil for your motor - mines on national backorder & the OMC dealer says he doesn't have a ship date yet. he also says he has seen parts for older engines take up to six monthes - but i think your right about the last investment , you have to stop somewhere.<br /><br />i did discover something about the little coil spring clips that go on top pf spark plug - there's a coating ( rust proofing ? ) on them , kind a gold in color , it was hard to get an OLM reading without scratching thru coating , so i sand papered coating off - haven't got to try it yet , but i'll let you know

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

Went down to my Johnson dealer today and picked up a driver coil(slightly used but surprised they had it!) and 2 ignition coils.Installed all and ran the motor.No missing or spark jumping! I neglected to get the tune-up kit (short on funds) Needless to say I'm a happy camper and will trying it out tommorow.<br />I would'nt worry about that coating dgassy.Its not going to have any negative effects on your spark.I did notice when I ran the motor it would miss (slow speed) if the mixture screw was set too lean.Making it a bit richer seems to help.<br />Also it seems to run fine on either plug(UL81C or QL77JC4).Another thing I did is to check/clean/re-tighten all ignition related<br />ground screws(under flywheel),check for loose connections or damaged electrical connectors(which I found an almost broken off connector on a condensor).Take time to scrutinize the situation and repair anything suspicous/clean off any corrosion.<br />Check the spark wires again and make sure you twist and push(hard!) into each coil.Also make sure you get the other end (spring) STRAIGHT into the wire(it tends to go to one side)using pliers.When I had the coils off I lightly sanded the mounting points/holes on the motor for a better ground.The marina owner where I purchased the parts thinks I'm wasting my time on this.I have news for him now,lol.Post back and don't give up!

 

[dgassy]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

Reel appeal don't use that motor for an ancor yet.<br />i've tried mine twice since cleaning the spark plug coils - - i can't believe how good it runs for now - i hope it's not just a fluke but thats the only thing i did this time.<br />don't know when new driver coil will be in , but in talking myself thru this i have to say that the driver coil was making or generating current , points & condensor were doing there job and the coils were definetly working , but the spark wasn't getting to the plug very well <br />( coating on spark plug coils or clips or whatever you call them )it was leaking out or looking for ground - cleaning coating off of plug coil seemed to work for me <br /><br />but i'm glad you got your motor running too<br />now lets go fishing <br /><br />thanks again guys for all the help<br /> dgassy

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

Umm,does this look familiar? http://www.championsparkplugs.com/glossaryImages/150.jpg

 

[20/20]

Re: 1975 9.9 johnson spark leak

I have also had a problem somewhat like thischeck wires. I got checking things out and one of the wires{under the flywheel} that goes to the coil had a very very fine slice. I put some liquid wire on the wire and the problem was solved. Luck was the only reason I even found the slice it was smmmaaaaalllll. Just another 2 cents, hope things work.