1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

[xtratoy]

My motor up and died on the lake last week. The strange thing is it appears to be electrical and has intermittant spark. With the plug out it may spark on one pull and spark weak on another pull and then not spark for several pulls. I replaced the spark plug ( no help ) New condenser ( no help ) and have replaced the coil with a new one and still it sparks when it wants to and the motor will not fire. It is acting just like it did before I replaced anything. I cut 1/2" off each end of the spark plug wire and reattached ( no help ).. The spark plug wire shows full continuity on the ohm meter. I am out of ideas. The points look fine and checked out while opening and closing with the ohm meter. The motor had been running for about two hours prior to dieing and had stumbled while trolling a couple times. I took it up to full speed for about 2 minutes to see if the plug was getting fouled from trolling and when I throttled down, it died and hasn't ran since. Any ideas?
Went back to the motor and replaced spark plug wire with one off of an automobile 7mm supressor core wire. I got it started and could get it to run fast but it didn't want to idle down lower than the start position. after awhile it died and I am back to no spark..?? Any ideas Is there a difference in the sparkplug wire for outboard motors VS automotive?

 

[jonesg]

Re: 1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

You could try cleaning the points with acetone on a Q tip,

personally I'd change the whole lot in one go,
points, plugs,wires, coils, etc.

If you give it to a mechanic thats about all they do for 10 times the price.
Why mess about.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

agree^^^^^. automotive wire will not stand up to the vibration.

 

[xtratoy]

Re: 1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

Is that a commonly supplied item at at boat dealer? I stopped by an auto parts store today to see if they carried the steel core sparkplug wire and they said " Sure, we can get you that, in a 50 foot spool." I'll have to wait to get to town and find a shop that carries it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

The points are still original ???
Did you happen to stone them up to get rid of the "hill and valley" that builds on them ???
I learned the hard way back in the early 1980's with a motorcycle.
Points had the hill one side and the valley the other. I stoned them up to make for a good surface again. It started, ran for about 15 seconds and quit. I stoned them again and the same result. What I learned was that the surfaces are only case hardened and I had stoned right through to a soft surface, therefore the hill and valley built up virtually immediately on the soft surfaces and broke the contact. Walked a good hour to the nearest auto store to get a new set of points and all was well again.
This may have nothing to do with your issue but it is just a thought.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

any part you need can be gotten here > http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=bf6ad09c53cead335fcfd8a6471c0f7f

read the TOP SECRET FILE, 1st post in this forum.

 

[xtratoy]

Re: 1983 2 HP evinrude spark problem

the points have no pitting or cratering and appear to be working as they should as tested with an ohm meter. I did read read through your tips section before posting to the forum and that info, and my own engine background got me to the point of resorting to asking for help. I guess my next step will be a new spark plug wire and replace the points with new ones. then everything electrical will be brand new. Thanks again for all of the help.