'about at my wits end!!

[87Aggie]

My 77' Johnson 140 won't start! It cranks over but won't ever fire up - not even a cough. It left me stranded a couple of weeks ago and upon inspection found what I thought at the time was the problem, the stator had oozed and leaked in a couple of places so I ordered a new one - mucho bucks. After installing it, the motor still does the same thing, cranks but will not fire up. I'm getting fuel to the plugs but have a weak and I think erratic spark at all cylinders. Is it possible for all the coils to go bad at the same time? I have an OEM service manual but don't have any of the "testing tools" that it says to use to test electrical components. I do have a digital multitester ohm/volt meter but am really not sure how to use it. Anybody have any ideas. I feel like it is something simple but I am out of ideas.

 

[JB]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

Hey, Aggie.<br /><br />I suggest that you state the problem in the topic title. That will attract people who know your engine.

 

[marinemech]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

try disconnectig the black/yellow wire in the pack connecter then check spark (note you will not be able to turn off motor if it starts)<br />if spark problem goes away the cause could be key switch or wiring <br />if moter still has problem its either a pack or timer base

 

[OBJ]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

A little to add to marinemechs' advice.....it's not uncommon for a stator "melt down" to take a power pack and/or the timer base with it.<br /><br />You can check the spark one at a time with a cut off nail. Just stick the end of the nail in a plug wire and hold it about 7/16" from a clean ground.....hold it with insulated pliers or equivilant. If you got a good strong hot white spark, go to the next. If no spark on any plug wire, check the output of the timer base with a volt meter. You should get somewhere around 2.5 to 5 volts on each lead.

 

[87Aggie]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

I pretty much knew it wasn't a fuel problem, but I reluctantly tried mcdgary's suggestion of trying some starting fluid (I know, don't use it because of no lubricating value) anyway, it didn't work - not even a pop. OBJ, I checked for spark and am getting a spark, I just don't think it's a "good, strong hot white spark" as you indicated. It's white but just doesn't seem very strong and questionable if it jumps the 7/16". I want to check the output of the timer base. Could you give me some step by step instructions on how to perform the test, i.e. where to connect the multitester wires and what setting I need to put the tester on. Thanks so much for your advice.<br />Don

 

[87Aggie]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

I forgot to mention, I also did as marinemech suggested and disconnected the black/yellow wire at the powerpack. Motor still would not start.

 

[Reel Appeal]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

Hi Aggie,<br /><br />I have to ask if your motor has good compression?If your not sure,have it tested.

 

[P.V.]

Re: 'about at my wits end!!

Ok, let's go over the following! 1) with a magneto c.d. ignition, you need the following: a good battery to crank the engine over fairly fast. The faster it cranks, the more a.c. voltage the sensors and charge coils can develop for the power packs. If the battery is marginal, or the starter is worn/tired,slower cranking speeds/less voltage may cause difficulty in starting. So, start with the ez things first, STRONG battery and the leads tight! Did I say tight? I ment TIGHT !!!! With a wrench!! 2) See if you have spark to the plugs with the plugs in and compare it to spark with the plugs out. If you don't have spark with the plugs in, the sensor gap ( the relationship of the sensor coils to the flywheel magnets) is too large. On a 1977 V-4 motor, the sensors are not adjustable, BUT, actually they are! (later year sensors are inside a "potted" material that is NOT adjustable) but OMC found that they sometimes needed to "adjust" the gap closer! So, the OMC service dept made some flat washers that dropped over the crankshaft and allowd you to loosen up the five screws and "relocate" the sensors up against the tool. Hense, the air gap was minimal and the voltage generated was EZier to make! As to the tool, I just don't know where you would get one. Make friends with your local long time OMC mechanic. perhaps he'll adjust the gap for you! For a six-pack or so! 3) if you don't have spark at all. That's another problem in itself!!