running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

[evinrude bayliner]

I Have a mid 70s model evinrude starlight 85 hp 4 cylinder outboard. I was checking to see if I had a bad coil pack and have found that after moving them in different locations that they all work. My engine is only running on 1 cylinder though. Is there a way to tell if the stator is causing this problem or is there something else i need to look for? The coils only fire in the cylinder 2 location. Is there a way to tell if I have a bad coil pack?

 

[rick_l]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

power pack

 

[ezeke]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

Test for spark with all of the spark plugs removed, using a tester that can be set for 7/16". The engine will not fire unless it is turning 300 RPM, so you need a powerful fully charged battery.


You can make a tester out of nails and a piece of dry board, or buy one like the one sold here at iboats:

http://www.iboats.com/CDI_Spark_Gap_Tester/dm/keywords.spark%20tester--**********.741661858--*******.590519482--list_time.1203189671--view_id.38089


The thumbnail shows a homemade 2 cylinder tester

BTW, in the 1973 -1977 V4 motors there were many powerpack problems because water gets into the powerpack cases when the motors were stored tilted up. The powerpacks were OK, but you did have to open the case and let them dry out.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

There is testing beginning on the bottom of this page, continuing onto next.

"http://www.boatpartstore.com/page30.asp"

 

[evinrude bayliner]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

How do you make and use that tester.

 

[ezeke]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

Remove the spark plugs;

Ground the tester to the engine block;

Connect the spark plug wires to the tester;

Crank the engine.

All of the sparks should jump 7/16 with a sharp blue snap. If they do that, the problem is probably not in the ignition system.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

While the stator might not be in top condition, it is working ... otherwise you wouldn't have the spark on the #2 cylinder. If you are sure that all of your coils are good, I would suspect a bad powerpack and/or timer base.

 

[wavrider]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

Make sure you have a good battery, fully charged, and clean connections, those old cross flows need to spin at least 300 rpm to create the spark needed at the powerpack.

When doing your ignition tests, remove your spark plugs, if you have a singler spark plug tester ground the other three spark plug wires,( i use gator clip jumpers, get a whole pack at radio shack for a few dollars).

Then try your spark test. Just keep in mind need to have good charged battery for test.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: running on 1 cylinder/ bad stator?

Just to add my .02, make sure that the battery is big enough (not just fully charged mower battery). I learned my lesson .