point condensors coming loose?

[commosmart1]

My boat motor was not running too weel and I took it to the shop and they told me that they had to replace the point condensors. It ran great for a couple runs then it started running like crap again all of a sudden. I took it back and they told me that they had come loose and that they put some lock tite on them. It ran great for a few months but now it has happened again.. Can someone give me their thoughts on this please? Thanks -William

(1974 Johnson 25hp)

 

[bktheking]

Re: point condensors coming loose?

It ran great for a few months but now it has happened again.. Can someone give me their thoughts on this please? Thanks -William

(1974 Johnson 25hp)

Have you verified that this has happened again, I'm assuming it's the lock down screw for the points gap adjustment that they are talking about. If they used lock tite on that screw it shouldn't have happened plain and simple. The threads in the magneto plate may be buggered up causing this to happen, you may want to swap out the mag plate for one that is in better shape, without having it in front of me it's an educated guess.

Cheers

 

[jbjennings]

Re: point condensors coming loose?

My opinion is that you need to get yourself a $10 harmonic balancer puller and three grade 8, 1/4-20 bolts, pull your flywheel and see for yourself. Don't be scared of it. Have a look at the situation for yourself. I find it hard to believe the problem is condensers coming loose but I certainly haven't seen it all. It could be many causes and you need to go step-by-step to find the problem.
Anything except pulling the flywheel and doing a spark test is unhelpful to me.
A spark tester is $6 at autozone. That will at least tell you which wire isn't firing properly and direct you where to look.
Good luck,
JBJ

 

[emckelvy]

Re: point condensors coming loose?

I'd venture that the bushing at the center of the mag plate is worn so badly that it's causing points gap to be erratic, eventually going far out of adjustment and causing poor running. This will continue to get worse until you won't be able to keep the motor running.

You can check this out by watching the mag plate at idle, if it's wobbling around a lot that's a sure sign. When the wear gets real bad it'll make a lot of noise at idle and if you <carefully> grab hold of the plate and hold it steady, the noise will stop, change, or diminish.

The only cure for that problem is replacing the mag plate assy. I've seen lots of these on eBay so check that out if you find it's a problem.

I find it hard to believe the points or whatever keep coming loose. The only time I've had that happen is when I was foolish enough to either not use the proper hardware or forgot to tighten something down! A lesson not soon forgotten!!!

You'd do well to take the O.P.'s advice and pull the flywheel yourself to check it out. Or find a more experienced mechanic.

Note that the hold-down screws for the condensers are supposed to have an external-star type of locking washer to keep the screws from working free.

The points hold-down screws are supposed to have a wavy-washer under the screw head, this allows the assy to be plenty tight but still lets you adjust the points with the screw tight as can be.

With the flywheel off, put some side thrust on the mag plate and watch the points. If the points gaps are changing while you're doing this, there's far too much slop in the mag plate bearing and you should replace the plate.

HTH & let us know what you find.........ed

 

[F_R]

Re: point condensors coming loose?

There simply is no excuse for those screws coming loose. Either:
1. They are the wrong screws or,
2. The threads are badly damaged (in that case they should not have been used) or,
3. They were not tightened. No Loctite should be necessary.

I have seen them come loose, indeed fall out and completely destroy the magneto. But you can bet the farm that they were not properly tightened.