Evinrude no spark when cold

[KennyBradley]

Hi,

I have a 1986 70hp Evinrude. If the engine has been sitting for a few weeks without running it is very difficult to get her started. There seems to be no spark. If I persist and keep cranking for a while it will eventaly start to spark and starts fine. From then on It will start again perfectly even within the next few days but if it is left too long the problem returns.

The only other issue is she seems to run rough at low rpm's but I think that is more of a fuel problem, I don't think they're related.

Anybody have any experience of this or have any idea where to start looking?

Thanks in advance, Kenny

 

[fireman57]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

I'll bet that they are related. You have to have spark or it wouldn't start at all, hot or cold. What you probably have is gunk in your carbs or you need to find the starting procedure that this engine likes. If you have the type where you hold the key in to prime it then turn your key to run and hold it in for about five seconds then try to turn it over. This activates the primer solenoid to shoot fuel into your cylinders. If you have a toggle switch or primer button to push then do that and start it. If the electric primer is not working you can open up your engine cover and look on the side of the engine by the carbs for a small cylinder with a red lever on it. Turn that red lever 180 degrees from where it is and start it. It will probably die then turn the lever back where it was and it should start fine. You are just priming it manually this way. As for your low idel you might consider cleaning/rebuilding the carbs as it sounds like you might have stuff in the low speed jet. The idle also might be set a little low. Do you have a tach on this engine?

 

[reeldutch]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

verify that indeed you dont have spark.
7/16 bleu crispy spark you need
make sure the grounds are clean.


to me it seems more a fuel isseu.

what plugs are you using?
whats the starting procedure?
running on 50:1? or vro?
does the primer work?

i think your idle speed circuit might need some atention.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

I'll see the gunky carb diagnosis and raise you a possible choke linkage problem.

How did you determine that there's no spark?

 

[KennyBradley]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

Thanks for all the help guys,

The reason I think spark is the problem is because when it fails to start I remove the plugs and check one or two cylinders by holing the plug against a cylinder head bolt and turning over the engine. If I replace the plugs and if I keep cranking long enough it will start eventually. The strange thing is that she'll start perfectly the next day even though the engine is cold, the problem occurs if she has been left sitting for a while?

She has the ignition key which you push in for choke but i didn't realise you had to hold it in for 5 sec before turning over the engine. I intend the strip and clean the carbs this winter anyway but it is the spark issue I'm concerned about.

I'm using the plugs recommended in the clymer manual (not sure which ones) . Starting proceedure is simply pump fuel tank priming bulb till firm, hold in key for choke and turnover engine. I am using premix at the moment at about 35:1 because I am just finishing running in after an engine rebuild.

I don't have a tacho but the rough running is a little higher than idle speed and before boat is planing. feels like it's running on 2 cylinders. when idleing and on the plane it seems fine.

Cheers Kenny

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

do you keep check the same plugs? try a different ones.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

Generally speaking, the ignition is either going to work or not. (The only exception to this is systems that use breakers instead of fuses and have a faulty braker - doesn't apply to outboards though) What you're probably seeing is wet or fouled plugs due to some other problem. If you're still concerned about spark though, you should get or make a spark testser and check it out properly.

My money is still on carburator issues.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

Make sure that you use the correct champion plugs. Still think it's carb.

 

[KennyBradley]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

Ok guys, thanks,

I'll have a good check of everything over the winter and report back, thanks again for you help.

 

[KennyBradley]

Re: Evinrude no spark when cold

Hello again,

Sorry for keeping such an old post going but I thought I'd better feedback.

Starting problem when cold was definatly down to no spark on any cylinder, tested with a spark tester. This problem was solved with a new powerpack. Stange how it would start to work eventually and seemed to work ok if used recently????

Intermittantly firing on two cylinders was caused by a faulty timer base. one of the coils had a intermittant high resistance.

Still have to give it a proper test run but hopefully all is ok now.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

Cheers Kenny