'77 15hp quit running, where to start?

[dodgeramsst2003]

Hi everyone,

I have a '77 15hp johnson as a kicker motor on my boat. We were out trolling on sunday for about 5 hrs and it ran great. We were done for the day and as we pulled in the last line, the engine quit. Now due to the way it is mounted on the boat, the engine cover was getting splashed all day with water, but it was running fine. The compression is good, its getting fuel (plugs are covered with fuel), but has no spark. I am replacing the plugs tomorrow ( These are soaked from me trying to start it) So, any suggestions on where to start? Is it the power pack? or the coils? ( it has two coils and the probability that both went at the same time are slim to none I would think) Side note, even though it was getting splashed all day, the inside of the engine cover, block etc was completly dry. I have a good background in engine maintenance, diagnosis etc as I'm a dyno tech, so working on this isn't a problem, just need advice from those who know what usually goes wrong with the little guys.

Thanks in advance,

Chris

 

[ezeke]

Re: '77 15hp quit running, where to start?

It is probably the powerpack, though a weak ignition coil could have caused it.

 

[dodgeramsst2003]

Re: '77 15hp quit running, where to start?

Thanks for the reply. I ordered a powerpack for it, hopefully it will be in tomorrow. Ignition system is very simple on these, so it had to be either the power pack, or the coils.

Thanks,


Chris