failing power packs

[tonysaoutboard115]

i have a 1973 johnson 115 v4 i have new charge coil,ans stator and sensor,new ignition switch, retifier,new battery,new spark plugs,i have replaced power pack 3 times the packs work for 3 to 4 mounths i use my boat every other weekend<br />when in use starts good idles great,and runs good,max rpm 5500/wot,then mounths go by it starts to not reach max rpm, hard too start, then will not start,removed plugs abd test for spark,2,4 spark 1,3 no spark or eratic,replace power pack starts all over

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

Hi, you didn't mention anything about your ign. coils. Are they the originals? Inspect them for any signs of cracks etc. As I understand it bad coils can sometimes take out power packs, its worth a look see anyway.

 

[tonysaoutboard115]

Re: failing power packs

thank you for mentioning that yes they are original to my knowlege and yes one of them is craked i might just replce all 4,not that expensive

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: failing power packs

As MCM say's, if the pack continue's to blow, take a look at the coils. It would be interesting to hook those coil's to a tester, and see how they check out. Also make sure those coil's and pack have a solid, clean ground, that also can raise havoc with a pack. Make sure that rectifier is well grounded also. The sensor's on that engine can be adjusted. Rapair makes a guage to do this. When it lose's fire, have you checked it with the plugs out. You also need good cranking speed to fire that magneto. If it will fire with the plug's out, you could have low cranking speed, or the sensor's need adjusting.

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

I would do all 4, those coils weren't known for longevity, in fact the cracking was a pretty common occurance over time.

 

[tonysaoutboard115]

Re: failing power packs

will recheck for a solid good ground on coils, and reterfier,not familiar with adjustin sensors,how can i get the gauge tool adjust the sensors,if i am not mistaken my sensor housing has the new style,all plastic housing with sensors mad inside,my original had sensors whitch srews in them where they could be removed,and yes with the plugs out i have tsted for spark

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

Tony, I too am not familiiar with the adjusting of the sensor on your motor, I've heard it could be done in some older ones, however I don't beleive that's the case in newer ones such as yours. IMO it's about marketing more than anything else, companies make more $$$ by selling new parts than they could when they made parts that were serviceable.<br /><br />I've read recommendations that suggest when replacing power packs the coils should be replaced as well. I beleive the reasoning behind this was that if a coil did cause the pack failure and the faulty coil and pack were replaced there was the probability of another coil of the same vintage causing a repeat performance of the problem.<br /><br />As R.Johnson said there are tests that can be done on the coils with the proper test equipment. I have a hunch though that if one was cracked the others are probably not far behind.<br /><br />Good Luck in solving this as I know p/packs are not cheap

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: failing power packs

Remove the black/yellow wire from the powerpack, then check the wiring harness end of that wire for even the slightest amount of voltage being applied to that black/yellow wire with the ignition switch being in both the ON and OFF position.<br /><br />Use a ampmeter or a volt meter set to its lowest reading. You are looking for ANY reading, even a milivolt.<br /><br />If a voltage reading registers, find out why. Voltage being applied to that wire will destroy a powerpack, one after another.

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

Hadn't thought of that Joe. That's what I love about your posts, all that knowledge and the chance learn something.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: failing power packs

The engine we're talking about here is a 73, V-4. The molded component is the stator, charge coil assembly. The sensor coil's are mounted on the rotating armature plate. They are adjustable. The guage is a molded plastic ring that goes over the crankshaft. You adjust the sensors to this guage to set the air gap between the sensor coil, and the magnet in the flywheel hub. Rapair sell's this guage, the cost is between 10-$15. I had a post quite some time ago with the step, by step procedure.

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

I had heard or read that the timer base (sensor) could be adjusted, I can't seem to recall seeing the instructions or for which models it could be done on though, and the search feature seems to have lost its memory as well unfortunately <br /><br />I am kind of curious as to which coil was cracked as well, #1 or #3?

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: failing power packs

The engine's that can be adjusted are 73 thru 76,or 7.

 

[tonysaoutboard115]

Re: failing power packs

thank you guys for your help will ask about the gapping tool,#1,#3 ignition coils still fire when testing for spark with plugs out clean blue spark they are not cracked. #2,ignition coil is cracked does not fire at all,#4 coils fires eraticly,or not at all when testing,

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

Might have been a typo but those are opposite of the #'s in the original post, unless I misread it. Hmmm

 

[tonysaoutboard115]

Re: failing power packs

sorry typo, just went out too the garage,facing rear of engine exhuastouter cover,right side 1,3 coils fire blue,#2coil is craked nospark at all#4coil fires eratic or not at all,

 

[MCM]

Re: failing power packs

Well you've got my advice on the coils, no problem on the typo it happens

 

[bansheetaz]

Re: failing power packs

Originally posted by tonysaoutboard115:<br /> thank you for mentioning that yes they are original to my knowlege and yes one of them is craked i might just replce all 4,not that expensive

im in the market for 4 new ones as well. where have you found them to be cheapest?

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: failing power packs

I got mine off ebay, for about $30 apiece or so. a guy called bigal71, he sells packs, coils, and a handful of other things.<br /><br />He's got some that'll fit a 73-74 115, for $23.99 apiece. I think they're Sierra coils. <br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...cmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50439QQitemZ4572262084

 

[bansheetaz]

Re: failing power packs

how bout the power packs? i need one of those too now. i found one for 65 bux and some tax. is that about right?

 

[mikeyzx2]

Re: failing power packs

I got one for my '77, for $90. I don't know what kind of ranges there are on prices/vendors, but 65 bucks would be a good deal if it's brand new.