80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

[Jeff Lindquist]

I have taken most of the housing brackets, starter, solenoid and carb plates off of my 80hp mariner to replace some electrical components. Is it possible to bench test the coils and is there a way to confirm whether or not the reeds are working by pulling the plugs and cranking over by hand? i have the motor mostly apart now and really don't want to split the block unless absolutely necessary. on the other hand just about everything has been stripped off at this ppoint if i need to do the reeds.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

Why do you suspect the reed valves? They are very tough and reliable.

The coils can be tested with an ohmmeter. There are specific resistance values for primary and secondary windings. CDIElectronics should have these ohm values.

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

thank you. i will check the cdi site for ohms on the coils. a dealer in southern saskatchewan last year (when issues started) cited the reeds as being a common flaw on the mariner motors around this age. and very difficult to work on as they are situated center crank. top carb was flooding, lower worked fine. eventually, would only idle in neutral with heavy throttle and run in WOT. and that is if you could lower the rpm out of neutral long enough to put it in gear and nut it.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

Whats your compression??

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

Obviously top carb flooding is an issue, not related to reed valves. Sounds like you need to clean and rebuild at least the top carb, but likely both.

Also, idle mixture adjustment needs to be fairly precise to allow good acceleration and reasonable idle. You have those sidebowl carbs or the center bowl ones?

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

most recent check was all between 115 and 120 but that was about 3 years ago. what type of plugs do you recommend? the exposed electrode with no contact or the standard type with the L-shaped contact? i have been using the rimshot style but am looking at going back to original instead of these new-fangled inventions.

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

they are the sidebowl carbs, rebuilt last year with new jets needles, gaskets and plastic floats. by the time that was done, i don't think i had spark. she wouldn't try to fire but continually crank. now i need a solenoid as a result. gonna change plugs and wires as well. also, noticed a few frayed wires aor wires missing insulated wrap between switchbox and coils that i am going to replace shortly. any advice on plug type. exposed electrode NGK is what i have now but wonder if i should go back to L-type contact over electrode (old school).

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

That motor is set up to run on surface gap(rim) plugs.

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

so no 'L' over the electrode correct?

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

sorry to be a bother. while i have your attention, is the mercury switch the small blue module mounted on about a 45 degree angle on the starboard side of the block? i was thinking of removing it totally to eliminate htis as a suspect for not firing. just to the left of the switchbox?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

yes, that is the mercury switch.

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

thanks very much. i will figure this out yet, but certainly not without help

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

if the rectifier is gone, what will the motor not do? it is apart now, but since i am ordering parts i wonder if i should get one in as well. i had spark to the coils before dismantling. also, there won't be a problem if i remove and bypass that mercury switch, is there?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

Disocnnecting the mercury swithc is not a problem. A bad rectifier will have different effects on your ign system, depending whether the rectifier is shorted or open, and whether you have a distrbutor or not.

The best thing to do is to disconnect the two yellow stator leads at the rectifier and tape them up seperately to insulate them. That removes all influence of the rectifier. If spark returns, replace the rectifier.

 

[Jeff Lindquist]

Re: 80 hp checking coils and reeds while dismantled

AHA! that makes sense! thank you very much. i will check that for sure as soon as my parts come in for the rest.