Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

[texxpaisley]

Hi all - <br /><br />I have been doing some troubleshooting with my 76 85 hp Evinrude and I found today that the plugs on one side are clean (new plugs) and the other two look like normal use. I read somewhere on this forum that if it is the top or bottom two that it is most likely a carb problem and if it is ignition then it will most likely be one side or the other. Is this true? <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Tex

 

[ob]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

Possibly yes.Also if they look real clean as in steam cleaned you may have a failed head gasket.Have you run a compression test?

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

They are brand new and I only ran a couple of minutes on them before pulling the boat out of the water. The old plugs were evenly fouled and not steam cleaned. Also, when I took the plugs out they smelled like fuel but they looked unused. I haven't done a compression test yet. I guess that is the next step....

 

[Walker]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

Compression test and spark test

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

will do. Thanks.

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

I checed the compression and tested the spark - compression is ok at around 120 and no spark on either #2 or #4 cyls (both are on same side). Is this power packs, ignition, or something else? Any help would be great. Thanks!!<br /><br /><br />Tex

 

[ob]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

Probabilty odds says its a powerpack failure ,but only a component check can confirm.Remote possibility of two failed ignition coils ,but I doubt it.If you don't have the proper test equipment ,it may be a smart venture to let a reputable shop diagnose the failed component as there is no refund on electrical ignition parts and powerpacks are somewhat expensive.

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

I bought the boat from a marine mechanic and he said he just replaced the powerpack. Is there only one powerpack? If so, could something else be causing it to go out? I think you are right, I need to take it in at this point since I don't have all the proper test equipment. Any advice on what I should pay aproximately to have someting like this diagnosed and fixed?

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

Check the timer base. It has two coils, one for cylinders 1 & 3, the other for 2 & 4. You can check their resistance.

 

[texxpaisley]

Re: Evinrude v4 Plugs on one side clean

Found the problem:<br /><br />Somehow, the leads from the timer base rubbed against the flywheel and ground off the sheathing around one of the leads to the number 2 cylinder. This arched the powerpack and cooked the diode on 2 and 4. Replaced the power pack and she runnin like a bat out of hell... not exceeding the maximum rpm of course.<br /><br />A HUGE thanks to everyone for your input and help. It saved me a ton of money and I gained some valuable experience!<br /><br />Tex<br /><br />