Crank, no start 1980 4 cyl 80 hp

[dctucker]

If I could figure out how to search the new board and get meaningful results, I'd probably find some answers, but I can't get concise search results, so here goes...

1980, 80 HP 4 cyl. Cleaned and rebuilt the carbs this spring. Been starting hard (as always) and running well after the initial start each day. I suspect I've got a pre-existing ignition problem (or sticky ring?), as it seems to run rough and weak for a 5-15 minutes until it warms up, then BAM, something fires and it runs perfect for the rest of the day. Been that way since I got it last spring, just haven't tried to sort that one out (but I'll take advice on troubleshooting!). I'm thinking that's likely trigger or coil if not the sticky ring.

More immediate problem is that despite running as described last Wednesday & Thursday, when I went to start it this Wednesday (6 days later), it just cranks, but won't fire at all. It doesn't smell like it's flooded, no fuel smell at all. But seems to have no spark either. Fuse looked fine, replaced it anyway, still no joy. Plenty of fuel, pressure in the bulb, 2 year old fuel line, kill switch to run (I've had that duh!).

The fuse was an "Ah Hah!" when I learned about that one. Are there any other simple things that I should be looking for? Suppose it could be the trigger, if that really cr@pped out...

I'll pull the boat tomorrow so I can take it home to diagnose. I've got family coming for July 4th, who'd enjoy the boat, but more importantly, this is the coach/safety boat for my wife's disabled sailing team, and we've got 3 regattas to race in the next 5 weeks, starting the weekend after the 4th. We'll be needing the RIB a lot.

Please HELP!

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Crank, no start 1980 4 cyl 80 hp

You need to troubleshoot the ignition. Start with the standard switchbox test. If it passes that it's the trigger.

-W
MERCURY BATTERY-POWERED CDI SWITCHBOX TEST
FOR DISTRIBUTOR MODELS


This test is for the 332-2986 switchbox used from 1967-1978 on all the
inlines.

This test assumes your coil is good (most all are).

DISCONNECT BATTERY

1. Turn off ignion
2. Disconnect all 3 wires on the distributor side of the switchbox.
3. Remove the HV lead from the coil to the center cap (remember it unscrews
from cap)
4. Reconnect that HV center lead to the COIL side only.
5. Position that HV lead about about 3/8" from ground (block, shrouds etc)
and find a way to hold it there.
6. Jumper the brown and white terminals on the dist. side of the switchbox
together.

RECONNECT BATTERRY

7. Check that you have +12 V at red terminal.
8. Turn on ignition and verify +12V at white terminal (on red terminal side)
9. Touch the black terminal to ground - unit should cause spark each time
you touch ground.

If this passes and it still won't fire at all, suspect the trigger (distributor).

 

[dctucker]

Re: Crank, no start 1980 4 cyl 80 hp

Thanks Clams!

Same test proceedure for 1980 model as the earlier ones, I assume?

I don't have time for this, with family coming for the weekend and 2 other boats to deal with. ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!