POW!! What is wrong now?

[george3405]

I still have not gotten my 1989 Evinrude 48 SPL running. First the coil was bad and the combination ignition module/power pack was bad, then the carbs were clogged up, then the choke solenoid top was broken. I have replaced all of these plus the spark plugs. Now after sitting for a day or so, when I hit the starter, the engine won't spin (locked up). I take a pry bar and turn the engine over by the flywheel teeth. The engine frees up and the starter turns over the engine after that. Then when I hit the choke solenoid switch and try to start the engine, it backfires very loudly. I'm concerned about damaging the engine. Any ideas? Thanks, George3405

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

Is the starter weak and can't overcome the compression stroke, b/c mine is that way when cold but never when warmed up. As for the back fires make sure that the wires are going to the correct plug.

-NAte

 

[JB]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

If the spark plug wires are on the correct plugs you have sheared the flywheel key, George. Probably not enough torque on the nut when you reinstalled it.

 

[george3405]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

When I reinstalled the flywheel nut I torqued it to 105 ft./lbs., as per the book. There are only 2 spark plugs and I hooked up as before. ! wire won't reach the top so it seems unlikely it could be wired wrong, but could the wires to the coil, from the power pack be switched and causing the backfire? I hooked them up the same, I thought, but who knows?
With the flywheel key sheared would that cause it to be out of time?
Thanks again,
George3405

 

[Walker]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

, but could the wires to the coil, from the power pack be switched and causing the backfire? I hooked them up the same, I thought, but who knows?
With the flywheel key sheared would that cause it to be out of time?
Thanks again,
George3405

Yes and yes. Usually the wires to the coil are marked. The one with the blue stripe on the wire goes to the top coil.

 

[kynolan2183]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

If the fly whell key is sheered it would case it to be out of time. I once had a Briggs & Crappen do that. It would backfire and run at idle but it would die on throttle instantly. The key will kind of form a wedge of mushed metal on the staft and keep it close to being timed. If the key sheared then it would be firing to late and on Idle that is sometimes ok. But you didn't say it was runnning so I would look to the to wires. Also take a teaspoon of 2 stroke oil and poor it into the cylinders through the plug holes and turn the motor over slowly with a wrench on the fly wheel nut several times (25 to 50). I would not hit the starter again until I had done that. Then with the plugs out turn the motor over with the starter. If the starter does not just spin it up real easy then I would say you need a new starter also.
Good luck, I have been in you spot many times. Just take your time and write down what steps you have done. Some time sleep is a good thing and a bad, because you can get lost in what you have done the next morning.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

If you have to turn the engine over with a pry bar, there are some serious issues. Is there any oil in the lower unit? If not, a tight drive shaft bearing could be the cause. Internal engine problems are another.

 

[george3405]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

I removed the flywheel today. The key was okay and in place. However, the flywheel had been rubbing against the ignition module and made light grooves in it. Plus the wiring loom coming out from under the flywheel had been worn into. I fixed the wiring problem, but now I need to fix the flywheel rubbing problem. The book says there is a special plastc ring to gauge if all the components under the flywheel are aligned so as not to rub. I don't have one nor know where to get one. Any ideas to make something. I believe this is what is causing the engine not to turn correctly when cranking at first.
Thanks again!
George3405

 

[ezeke]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

Those special tools have to be ordered from a OMC/BRP dealer, local or on-line. I think the part that you want is a locating ring #334994.

 

[JB]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

A dollar bill makes a decent "guage" to set flywheel clearance, George. It is about .015" thick.

 

[kynolan2183]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

With the fly wheel off does the motor turn over by hand and with the plugs out easy or is it still tuff to do?

Kyle

 

[george3405]

Re: POW!! What is wrong now?

JB, How do I use the dollar bill as the gauge?Perhaps i am being a bit dense and if so I apologize.

Kyle, It seems as though it is the flywheel rubbing on the ignition module (new) that is the problem. The motor drags when I turn it when the magnetic 2 parts of the flywheel pass the igniton module. Still haven't figured out the backfiring, even when I switched the 2 plug wires to different plug it backfired the same.
George3405