new coils???

[Navgunner]

I have a 73 Evinrude Model # 135383M that is a serious bear to start. I have tried all of the fixes I can find on the posts. I usually get her going in the driveway morning of trip to the lake. I drive about an hour and a half and then struggle a litte to get her to start. I have been working this issue for a while and here is my next endevoure. 3 out of 4 coils have cracks, but once I get her started at the dock I can run all day. Starting and stopping and even sitting for hours and she will start back up no problem. This leads me to believe these coils are not the problem. What do you experts think? Is the 130 bucks gonna be tossed into the wind or will it help my problem? Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[OBJ]

Re: new coils???

Well gunner, usually when an engine is hard to start cold as you described yours, it means it's not getting the rich mix it needs to go cold. This means that either the choke plate(s) isn't closing or there is a fuel delivery problem.<br /><br />What you can do to test this idea is to remove the front carb cover to expose the carb throats. Using a spray bottle with pre-mix fuel in it, hold the throttle plates open a little and give each carb a shot of premix. Now try to start. If she kicks over, your problem is getting the fuel into the carbs when cold.<br /><br />Have you lately rebuilt the carbs and replaced any fuel lines that may be hard? Does the primer bulb pump up snug? Again, check that the choke plates are closing when the key is depressed for choke.<br /><br />As for the ignition coils, if you can't see anyplace that may indicate the spark is jumping to ground through the crack (burnt black area), the coils are probably still good. You can seal the cracks with some liquid tape or liquid vinyl...anything to keep out the moisture.

 

[Navgunner]

Re: new coils???

Thanks OBJ,<br /><br /> I will seal those coils up (in fact someone told me they used to use fingernail polish to do that trick) <br /> I did rebuild the carbs this year.....ok hear goes..<br /><br /> bought the boat after it had sat for 10yrs, fuel tank was full of varnish. Had a radiator shop clean it (clean as a whistle) I removed the uptake filter (bad shape) and installed two inline glass filters. Replaced the bulb. I have not replaced fuel lines inside of the engine compartment yet (can I just pick some hose up from tractor supply or should I buy from the marina?) I also have a copper fuel line from tank to bulkhead in transom area that I havn't done anything with (don't know how I would get it on and off) I rebuilt the fuel pump and water pump. If I give her a shot of premix down the throats she will fire. So I see where you are going. but where is my problem to fix.....? Bulb gets stiff, but not super hard like I remember my old mans when I was a kid. Any more suggestions?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: new coils???

Navgunner,<br /> When you hit that choke switch,be sure the choke plates close 100 %.Adjust by sliding the choke solenoid in its bracket.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Navgunner]

Re: new coils???

Thanks DHP,<br /><br /> I have triple checked the choke plates and they close nice and tight. Any other thoughts?

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: new coils???

Couple of them thoughts.<br /><br />are the choke plates staying closed while <br />cranking ?<br /><br />you have an older motor,and could have stuck rings or scored piston skirts.<br /><br />OMC engine tuner may help.<br /><br />if that doesn't pan out,will a shot of carb cleaner get you running for the day? NO STARTING FLUID PLEASE.<br /><br />If that works,maybe thats what you do rather than tear down a motor that's too old for the labor,and parts may not be available<br /><br />DHP

 

[Navgunner]

Re: new coils???

Thanks DHP,<br /><br /> Choke plates seem to be staying closed.<br /><br /> I will give the tuner a try, will sea foam do the same thing? <br /><br /> Carb cleaner will do it (I have and never will try the starting fluid) I prefer just to have a ketchup bottle in the boat. I can always pull the fuel line off and get some fresh pre-mix to shoot into the carbs.<br /> Thanks again for your input!