My first test splash....

[Turn-n-Burn]

New to owning a boat, but have been around them for a few years.....Picked up a '86 Wellcraft 23 Nova XL, 260 hp mercrusier/Tbolt iv ign.(rebuilt w/apprx 100 hrs,alpha 1 gen 1(all new bellows/shift cable/gimble bearing/engine aligned/pressure tested by a certified merc mech. friend).

Took the boat out and ran great for 45-60 mins. and reached 4800 rpms @ wot.....sorry but we forgot the GPS to test the speed......judging it to be close to 50mph......best guess.

Them the problem began.......lost spark after shutting it down to check temps and any sign of oil leakage while drifting.....engine cranks great....dual batteries are charging and still in the 11.9-12.1 v range testing with a multimeter.

Carb is getting fuel(brand new water/fuel separator)

Just went through a visual inspection to make sure all the wires are clean and tight....the only thing I found bad is a ground strap broke(see attachment)

Question:
1......could this strap be my problem for no spark/fire?
2......my speculation is a bad coil.....but would like to know the proper way to test it without blowing myself up?

Thanks for any and all replies.....I would ask my Boat Doctor....but he's on a well deserved vacation.....a great year for boating up here in the northeast so far!!!!

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: My first test splash....

Time to head up to the Adults Only Stickey at the top of this page.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167035

 

[Turn-n-Burn]

Re: My first test splash....

Thanks BnB......starter is fine and batteries are fine.....I did find a Tbolt Diagnostic chart using the search function.....and if I did the procedure correct......I got to the pull off coil wire from distributor and use a spark tester part......removed the wht/gr wire from distributor.....turn key on......strike the wht/gr wire on a ground surface and get no spark......now......not sure if the solid wht wire should be attached back to the distributor while doing this test?

Second question is about the attachment pic and the ground strap......it's there for a reason and will be replaced.....but......it shouldn't really have anything to do with the major problem.....correct?

 

[tschmidty]

Re: My first test splash....

The ground strap to the outdrive is not a problem, just grounds the outdrive. First thing I would check before the coil is the Shift Interrupt switch (disconnect the lead from it at the coil and see if it is ground the coil out, which is what it does to kill ignition).

 

[Turn-n-Burn]

Re: My first test splash....

duh!.....thanks tschmidty.....I was focused on the center column.........I'll check that the first thing in the morning.....thanks to everyone for being patient...

 

[Turn-n-Burn]

Re: My first test splash....

ok.....disconnected the interrupt switch......still no engine fire.....went back and did the coil spark test(the right way)......I get a spark.......so this leads me to the Ignition Sensor in the Distributor.......looks a wee bit corroded????

 

[Turn-n-Burn]

Re: My first test splash....

Update.......installed the ignition sensor(totally enclosed one).......purrs like a lion!!!!! Thanks for all the feed back and help....Test Run #2 on Friday......