Bottom cylinder not firing

steph

Cadet
Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
14
Help, a newbie. I have an 1984 Johnson 60hp 2 cylinder model# J60TLCRE and the bottom cylinder is not firing. I change the spark plug but no change. when the engine is running and I disconnect the top cylinder the engine stops when I disconnect the bottom one the engine keeps running like nothing happened. I would really appreciate some help as my daughter and I want to try it this weekend. New to boating but I have some basic knowledge just not the terms.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

paying attention to where the wires go. take a picture or make a diagram. completely swap the 2 coils. if the problem follows the coil replace it. that simple.
 

steph

Cadet
Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
14
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

Thanks tashasdaddy I'll try that tonight. Also, how can I check that the spark plus is actually firing?
 

steph

Cadet
Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
14
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

After searching on the forum I saw a lot of comments about compression. So, I decided to by a tester. The top cylinder (the 1 out of 2 working OK) has a compression of 140. THe bottom (the one, the one not firing) has a compression of 30. I guess thats the problem. Haven't check the coils yet. What is my next step. Please help, my daughter and I really need to go boating badly. Seperation therapy. Thanks again everyone.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

no need to check the coils. get a wrench and pull the head and see if it's a blown gasket or worse. pictures will help in the diagnosis. use the blue reply, type what you want, then scroll down to manage attachments,clik you can upload from computer or hosting site.
 

steph

Cadet
Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
14
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

I guess the head is where the spark plugs are? What's blue reply?
 

BoatBuoy

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 29, 2004
Messages
4,856
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

It's the button I just clicked on to post this reply. Now, if I wanted to post a picture, I could scroll down to "manage attachments".
 

steph

Cadet
Joined
May 30, 2007
Messages
14
Re: Bottom cylinder not firing

I guess the head is where are the spark plugs?
 
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