Evinrude 140 jumping Spark

[Wide_N]

E140TRLCTE was running rough, hard to start, spitting and sputtering. It sounded like it was jumping spark so I went out after dark to turn it over. I’m getting a flash of spark at both starboard side cylinders. I tried different plugs, wires, power pack, coils. I disconnected the rectifier wires. Nothing seems to help. My spark tester glows really bright with spark. Any suggestions on what would cause this?

 

[racerone]

Compression test is required on crossflow motors.----First step in trouble shooting.

 

[Wide_N]

Yes. I left that out. Compression is 125-127 on all four. It is running rough because it is jumping spark. I am just trying to figure out what could cause it. Could I have a worn spot on a wire on the stator or trigger that would cause it? The odd thing is that it actually looks like it is jumping from the spark plug to the cylinder head.

 

[racerone]

What sparkplug are you using ?----Factory sparkplug wires and boots ?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Electricity, like water will travel the path of least resistance. So the gap in your spark plug would have to be larger than the distance between the conductor and ground where you’re seeing the arc. Need to track down where that arc is occurring and isolate it. Are the plugs cracked? Plug boots on correctly and tight? Plug wires not worn or broken?

 

[racerone]

The above is true , but air pressure comes into the picture.----It takes more voltage to jump a gap when pressure is 120 PSI.

 

[Wide_N]

I will test the stator output this afternoon. Could a bad stator not be getting me enough volts to jump it?

 

[Wide_N]

And I do have the DVA adapter.

 

[racerone]

Post # 4 got no definite answers.----I would make sure to use factory wires with new sparkplug boots !!

 

[Wide_N]

Sorry. Yes they are factory and brand new. When I flip the wires the problem stays on the same side.

 

[Wide_N]

I went home for lunch and did some tests. I am getting 230 volts on brown to brown/yellow. However, I am not getting any reading at all when I test resistance. Thoughts?

 

[racerone]

Post # 4 asks what plug you are using.----Is it the factory recommended plug , yes or no ?

 

[Wide_N]

Ql77jc4

 

[Wide_N]

Update - Gave it another shot in the dark (literally) last night. Two of the brand new spark plug wire had a small hole in them. Looks like a defect in the wire maybe. Anyway after returning and getting a couple of new wires I am in business. Thanks for the help.

 

[boobie]

So you're saying the motor is running good now ??

 

[Wide_N]

Yes sir it is running perfect.

 

[racerone]

In post #1 were you talking about new wires or did you try wires from a " parts " motor ?

 

[Wide_N]

They were new wires from a dealer. One had a small hole in it. Guessing a defective wire but they looked like they had been previously installed so someone else might have returned them. All I know for sure is that it solved my problem.