I have twin 1989 Evinrude 120 V4's, and for the 1st time ever today, one of them would just not start at the ramp.
Trying to figure out if it is a fuel or spark issue.
On my last run 6 weeks ago, I did notice a problem on the ride home. It idled fine, ran up fine, but @ 60 min into the trip, it sputtered and lost @ 500rpm. It would run rough, and but periodically pop out of it and run fine.
I had this issue early in the summer, but after cleaning out the fuel filter bowl, it went away for most of the summer. I had a pretty rough ride back on my last trip and it started happing @ an hour into this trip again.
Previously, on a friend's suggestion to test for a clogged carb jet, I hit the choke when it happened, but that didn't seem to affect it (besides sputtering & loosing more rpm if I held the choke down as would be expected).
I did check the primer pump, which seemed fine (was not sucked in). I did pump the primer bulb once, and it did kick it back to normal rpm for a second, but then back down.
What is strange is how intermittent it is. I will just happen out of the blue, go for a while, then pop out of it.
After my last run 6 weeks ago, I flushed the engines and they idled fine.
Today, with fresh fuel & a clean filter bowl, the port motor turned over fine, nice & strong, but never once "caught" even for a moment. It would just keep turning over, with no ignition.
Does this sound like a symptom of fuel delivery, or lack of spark?
My other motor started fine today, and runs off the same tank. I could hear the choke click when I depressed the key as well.
Carb, coil, power-pack - what are some ideas???
Thanks.
Trying to figure out if it is a fuel or spark issue.
On my last run 6 weeks ago, I did notice a problem on the ride home. It idled fine, ran up fine, but @ 60 min into the trip, it sputtered and lost @ 500rpm. It would run rough, and but periodically pop out of it and run fine.
I had this issue early in the summer, but after cleaning out the fuel filter bowl, it went away for most of the summer. I had a pretty rough ride back on my last trip and it started happing @ an hour into this trip again.
Previously, on a friend's suggestion to test for a clogged carb jet, I hit the choke when it happened, but that didn't seem to affect it (besides sputtering & loosing more rpm if I held the choke down as would be expected).
I did check the primer pump, which seemed fine (was not sucked in). I did pump the primer bulb once, and it did kick it back to normal rpm for a second, but then back down.
What is strange is how intermittent it is. I will just happen out of the blue, go for a while, then pop out of it.
After my last run 6 weeks ago, I flushed the engines and they idled fine.
Today, with fresh fuel & a clean filter bowl, the port motor turned over fine, nice & strong, but never once "caught" even for a moment. It would just keep turning over, with no ignition.
Does this sound like a symptom of fuel delivery, or lack of spark?
My other motor started fine today, and runs off the same tank. I could hear the choke click when I depressed the key as well.
Carb, coil, power-pack - what are some ideas???
Thanks.
Pick up an adjustable spark gap ignition tester at an auto parts store and do a compression and spark test. You can rent a compression tester or buy one of the chinese variety on ebay or from Harbor Freight. Not sure what the spark gap should be for your engine but I imagine it is 7/8 inch. Check the compression, then test the spark at each cylinder. Then move to the fuel and oil system (VRO). Make sure your fuel filter is replaced and do the fuel pump tests as outlines in the manual or the secret file. Don't use the shotgun approach unless you have really good credit to buy all the parts. Start with one system, do all the checks then move to the next system. The basic tests, spark, Compression, Fuel Delivery will get you to the faulted system. From there the forum member can advise but you have to do the up front work. Good Luck!