97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

8up

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
98
Last couple of times out after clearing the "no wake " zone. Once up on plane you could feel the motor missing just for a second. This was happening about every 10 or 15 seconds. After fishing with several start ups and moves(at idle) coming back at the end of the evening, it didn't do it. When I got home tonight while flushing the motor on the muffs, I pulledthe engine cover off to look for stray sparks. Each plug wire at the plug was sparking to the hex flats on the plug. I also so a couple of plug wires (middle of the plug wires, not the ends) arcing through to head bolts. Does this mean bad plug wires?It is a 97' 150 evinrude intruder with OIS. Any thoughtrs would be great.

Thanks,
Scott
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: 97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

It's very important that the spark plug wires are OE specs.
 

8up

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
98
Re: 97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

As far as I know, all the wires are original. I have had this motor for about 4-5 years with absolutly no problems. I have only installed a new water pump. I love this motor. It had about 400 hours on it when I bought it. I have maybe put 150 hours on it since then.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: 97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

If you replace the plug wires make sure they are oem. There was a reason for this. If you haven't done it you may also want to check your spark plugs.
 

8up

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
98
Re: 97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

What's everyones thoughts on CDI wires v/s OMC?
 

8up

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
98
Re: 97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

Well, I installed new spark plugs and wires and took the boat out for a test run. I would have to say the problem was very similar but seemed to be more of a miss. Not quite as fast of "drop out" and come back and a little more frequent like every 5 seconds or so. This was very noticable at 4000 rpm's (my normal cruise speed). I slowed to 3,000 rpms and it didn't seem as bad. After a few minutes past, the motor handled and performed normal from idle speed up to WOT.No problems the rest of the trip. Pulled the cover off my coils tonight, ran the motor looking for stray sparks. Everything looked ok. Put a timing light on all plug wires and they all seemed ok. Pulled the plugs and they all looked ok.

While putting the plugs back in I noticed that the stbd side head felt cold and the port side was hot. Removed the thermostats and the stbd one was stuck open. Could this cause my motor to miss coming out of the no wake zone cold until the motor warmed up and ran good? Any thoughts would be great.
 

8up

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Nov 2, 2003
Messages
98
Re: 97' 150 Evinrude Ignition dropping out?

Installed 2 new thermostats this evening. Didn't get a chance to test run. Anyone have any thoughts on this issue?
 
Top