Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

[Swivelhart]

7 hp Sea King 1973. There was no spark so I replaced the coil with a new one and still no spark. I checked the point gap and set correctly but I did not change the points or the condenser. Is it normal for condensers to fail? Shouldn't I have some spark? I guess im being a cheapo. I'll splurge and get the $10 coil and points. Let me know in the meantime what you think please. It will be a few days before I can purchase them.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

Condensers do fail and that could be a likely cause of your problem.

 

[- Birks_]

Re: Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

It could also be dirty points. Take a piece of sandpaper, fold it in half and sand a bit of the surface. Open the point gap and blow out the shavings, then seed the points (rotate closed, then work the points against each other to create a proper connection) rotate points open and blow again. This way is cheap and doesnt take long to verify if the condensor is bad. In the end i could save you some money and frusteration

 

[Swivelhart]

Re: Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

thanks i'll try that in the morning.

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

7 hp Sea King 1973. There was no spark so I replaced the coil with a new one and still no spark. I checked the point gap and set correctly but I did not change the points or the condenser. Is it normal for condensers to fail? Shouldn't I have some spark? I guess im being a cheapo. I'll splurge and get the $10 coil and points. Let me know in the meantime what you think please. It will be a few days before I can purchase them.

No---condensers seldom fail but it DOES happen. Before spending the $ though try cleaning the points as suggested. I use a piece of almost worn-out 400 grit wet or dry paper to prevent scratches which will lead to early wear. The object is to polish off an invisible layer of corrosion that inhibits free passage of current. If the points have peaks on one side and corresponding valleys on the other that is a sign the condenser is failing.

After re-setting the gap drag a clean business card or strips cut from a heavy brown paper bag through the points to remove any traces of oil. Add a couple of droplets of oil to the felt wiper that rides on the points cam to prevent wear of the cam follower on the points.

Before putting the flywheel back on examine the ENTIRE length of the plug wire under a magnifying glass for evidence of leakage to ground as usually betrayed by pinholes surrounded by black soot. Pay particular attention to the area under securing clamps or where there is evidence of wear caused by friction or vibration.

I TEACH cheap!

 

[MahtyMaht]

Re: Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

Make sure the flywheel magnet, and core of the coil are not rusted - points seem to hate that.

 

[Swivelhart]

Re: Replaced Coil still no spark!!!

Voila, cleaned the points and vrooom. Sounds and runs great. Now I wonder if the coil was even bad. I should have done that first but jumped the gun and assumed bad coil without ever taking a look.