I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

[Tao of Funk]

I have been having trouble getting my 1969 Evinrude 55hp running just right. I had it on the water yesterday. While the motor was running I reached back to twist the spark plug wires to see if they had good contact. That's when I realized the #3 (bottom) wire gave me a shock.

Today I started the boat at my house and confirmed getting a shock from the #3 (bottom) wire but not from any other spark plug wire.

There is no evidence of the wire sticking through the housing anywhere on the wire. There may have been a trace of water on the motor but it isn't as though the area I was touching was wet.

I have been through the entire motor and there was a slight crack in the distributor housing. The crack is on the inside of the distributor housing and it didn't look as though the crack exposed any metal.

I may just go ahead and replace the distributor but I'd like to know what you think. Could it be the rotor instead of the distributor? Where else would the spark leak? Why am I getting shocked when I touch the rubber part of the housing?

Thanks

Gordon

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

I'm only amazed that you didn't get shocked by touching the other two plug wires. The slightest bit of moisture at those areas will conduct the vast amount of voltage that exists there.

However, the cure is to replace the rubber boot....... and stop touching those wires without insulated pliers (grin).

Now, you don't say exactly what problem you're having. What is it?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

I stopped making a habit of touching plug wires a fraction of a second after I touched my first one !!!!! If indeed it is shorting out then replace it. Fire it up at night and see if you get an electric blue light show !!!!

 

[F_R]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

Heh, heh. Mess with plug wires and sooner or later you will get ahold of one that will knock you clear out of your socks.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

Does neoprene dip work well on plugs and wires? When I installed my tell-tale the rubber water tube was touching one of my wires and it caused some arching. I rerouted it but it makes me think there's something to be fixed or improved rather than just leaving it.

 

[F_R]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

Replace any wires that are arcing through.

 

[Tao of Funk]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

The problem is the motor doesn't run right. Sorry I just had to get that out.

The motor really won't run well no matter what configuration changes I make. I have cleaned the carbs, replaced most of the electrical system, plugs, plug wires, rebuilt the carbs, checked all the connections, new fuel lines, the list goes on. Each time the symptoms point toward one of the fixes but it never ends up running right.

Now it wont idle unless the timing advance is full forward (advanced). When it does idle it's choppy and quits (not surprising). When I take it out on the water it starts out fine. It fires up and idles out of the launch. I advance the throttle and it takes off. After it gets fully up to temperature it has trouble starting. Then it won't take off once you get it running. It seems as though it's missing on one of the cylinders but I can't find it when I use the timing light (inductive type).

If I set the throttle and timing advance link according to the manual it won't run. Anyway, I haven't been throwing parts at it. In fact most of my attempts were from good advice from this forum or knowledgeable sources. There's still something wrong but I haven't discovered it yet. I'm going to double check the fuel lines and reed valves and go from there.

GB

 

[samo_ott]

Re: I'm getting shocked by the #3 plug wire...

A method I use is to run the engine at night and use a spray bottle with water in it and spray all the high voltage lines/areas. You will see immediately where it is arcing if it is.