1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

[Sherman]

I have been having a running battle with this engine for some time. It would not run on one cylinder. I just gave up and took it to the shop. He could find nothing wrong but said that the starboard head was running 30 degrees cooler than the port head. He said it might be a power pack so i bought one and put it on now the problem is not intermittent but constant. The starboard side apparently is not firing even with the new power pack. What do I replace next. I have cleaned grounds replaced all coils. Any help sure would be nice. Thanks

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

Remove the spark plugs. Rig up a spark tester whereas you can set a 7/16" gap. Crank the engine and observe the spark.<br /><br />Now, disconnect the large RED electrical plug at the engine. Crank the engine by using a small jumper wire from the battery terminal of the starter solenoid to the small 3/8" nut terminal of the solenoid (not the 3/8" ground nut terminal).<br /><br />If you now have proper spark, in all probability the ignition switch is failing, in which case, replace it.<br /><br />If still no spark, check the stator under the flywheel which is the beginning of the ignition and battery charging system.<br /><br />Note that even with everything as it should be, the engine must crank over at least 300 rpms in order to engage the ignition. A slow cranking engine will not have ignition/spark.

 

[Sherman]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

Thanks Joe I'll check that out the first thing in the morning. I had a long day on the water as it took me well over two hours to travel 12 miles home running both my 115 and my 6hp kicker on this 17 foot whaler. The ocean was really short and steep with high winds.

 

[Sherman]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

HI. I made the spark tester and there is no spark on the port side (side with new power pack). Disconnected the red plug still no spark. Engine is turning over fast. The new plugs the dealer installed look like they have never fired on the port side. It also looks like the spark is weak on one of the starbord cylinders as it is intermittent at 7/16 gap. Now what? Thank so much for any help. <br />Sherm

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

Check every connection on that port bank powerpack. It's possible that a pin/socket is not inserted properly (pushed out somewhat) and is not making contact. It's also possible that a wire has broken away from a pin/socket.<br /><br />If all is well with the connections, switch powerpacks.... port to starboard. If the problem follows the pack, then obviously the pack is faulty.

 

[Sherman]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

Yep boating is fun. Well first I installed the power pack that I removed eariler on the starboard side. Plenty of spark now. So I now have only the port side problem but it has changed a little no spark on cyl 4 and intermittent spark on cyl 2. This is the same with the red plug together and apart. I have the old coils that I replaced so I will install one on 4 and 2. I guess the new power pack is no good and I can't return it because I had to cut the plug off for the wires that lead to the coils. Dumb me.

 

[Sherman]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

I changed the two coils but alas things did not change. So I switched the power packs and still no change

 

[Sherman]

Re: 1979 115hp evinrude no spark on starboard cylinders

Well I guess I will replace the stator. Should I go with the OMC $236 or the CDI $161. Is there any real difference. There is also on EBay but it looks like it has been under water, all brown and such for $49.