UPDATED and FIXED! Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

[misery]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Power packs would be correct.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Ok, so I've done some more tinkering.

I double checked the the carbs were opening and closing appropriately, and that all of my linkage is ok.

I did what I "think" is a simple timing test. I took the plug out of the number one cylinder. Then rotated the flywheel until the piston was at top dead center. Then I looked up on the flywheel and noted this:

It looks like it's all lining up ok. My manual shows that Full Throttle Spark Advance degrees BTDC should be at 28 degrees, and Throttle Pick-Up degrees BTDC should be between 0 and 3 degrees. Granted, I don't know exactly what that means, but it looks like it's lining up.

Also, when I put the shifter down all the way (full throttle), the throttle linkage pushes forward, then the arm that goes up to the flywheel hits the bumper. The problem is that it hits the bumper about 3/4 of the way down, then doesn't move as you continue to push the throttle forward. Is that normal?

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

forget the tape, it never worked on my motor...new plug wires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob

Bob, I called my local marine shop today, and they said that the Ignition Coils only come as a set. They were very specific that you cannot replace just the spark plug wires. However, looking at it, it seems that you can replace just the plug wires.

Is that what you did, or did you replace the entire ignition coil?

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Ok, finally some progress.

I took an air gap spark tester. It only had 10, 20, 30, 40 for measurements, so I took a tape measure and measured out a little over .5 inches.

Good, strong spark on one side. None on the other. Switched power packs, and no spark followed.

When it's running, there's spark on all 4 cylinders according to the inline spark tester, but apparently the spark that's there is not very strong as it will not jump a .5 gap.

So, the spark follows the power pack. And the side that was staying cool and had wet plugs was the side with the power pack that's not firing.

So everything sounds good logically. I suppose it's off to the boat shop in the morning to order the part.

I'll post back tomorrow in the unlikely event they have the powerpack. Thank you all for the help, but keep checking this thread..... Just In Case!

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Ok, finally some progress.

I took an air gap spark tester. It only had 10, 20, 30, 40 for measurements, so I took a tape measure and measured out a little over .5 inches.

Good, strong spark on one side. None on the other. Switched power packs, and no spark followed.
When it's running, there's spark on all 4 cylinders according to the inline spark tester, but apparently the spark that's there is not very strong as it will not jump a .5 gap.

So, the spark follows the power pack. And the side that was staying cool and had wet plugs was the side with the power pack that's not firing.

So everything sounds good logically. I suppose it's off to the boat shop in the morning to order the part.

I'll post back tomorrow in the unlikely event they have the powerpack. Thank you all for the help, but keep checking this thread..... Just In Case!

you have two statements that seem to contradict each other!!!

as to my spark plug wires, i just got new wires from somewhere...no new coil.

good luck

bob

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

I think he means that the no spark sysmptom followed the power pack. That's what I got out of it anyway. I doubt it would make any difference but I always unhook the blk/ylw kill wire from the power pack when testing just to be sure.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

I think he means that the no spark sysmptom followed the power pack. That's what I got out of it anyway. I doubt it would make any difference but I always unhook the blk/ylw kill wire from the power pack when testing just to be sure.

Affirmative sir. When you say unhook the blk/ylw kill wire, how would I do that? Isn't it all a solid state? Basically, can you unhook it without cutting it?

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Not being familar with alot of motors I will say that most have a blk/ylw wire that leads into the plug for the power pack. It is the kill switch wire which if it get grounded will kill spark. I doubt that it would do it on only one side I just make a habit of unplugging it before I start any spark tests.

Edit: Looking at the wiring diagram shows a blk/ylw coming from each power pack to the main plug and exiting the main plug with one blk/ylw to the key switch. I cut mine and installed a protected spade plug so that I can easily unhook it if needed.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

I'll try that on the power pack that I suspect to be bad. Thanks!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

I would unhook both.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Would it be the same if I unhooked it between the motor and the keyswitch? That way I only have one connection to mess with?

 

[jtexas]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Just wanted to point out, cutting the wire adds potential for corrosion and open/short circuit faults. The "proper" way to disconnect the kill wire is to unplug the powerpack, extract the pin with the kill wire from the rubber plug, and plug it back in. You'd need a pin extraction tool to avoid mangling the rubber connector. [That said, I've been known to cut wires for testing myself, and crimp 'em back together afterwards -- I'm gonna remember that spade connector idea.]

Since you got spark, just not adequate spark, a kill wire short circuit is ruled out. Or least, very very unlikely.

You can unplug the big red main wiring harness plug and spin the motor by jumping the solenoid. But that won't help you; since you got spark from one powerpack, the boat wiring is for sure ruled out and you need to narrow your testing down to the powerhead, upstream of where the two kill wires are joined.

Note that if the engine starts with the kill circuit unplugged, the only way to shut it off is to manually choke it.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Well the boat shop actually had a new powerpack, so I put it on and water tested on the lake.

The idling smoothed out a little bit, although it's still sneezing through the exhaust. At WOT, only about half power. I really think I'm still only on 2 cylinders.

I'll be re-testing spark here in a few hours. In my haste I didn't do that before I took it to the lake. If spark is still not present, I suppose I'll be testing electrical. I HATE ELECTRICAL. Probably why I've been avoiding it.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

I doubt it would make any difference but I always unhook the blk/ylw kill wire from the power pack when testing just to be sure.

It may make a difference. About 2 weeks ago when starting it on the muffs, the key switch failed to stop it a few times in a row, then it started working just fine. I'll check that too.

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

I'm starting to feel kinda stupid.

So I took the ignition coils from the side that has been actually firing. This is the right side, which always gets warm to the touch. I put them on the left side, which always stays cool to the touch while the engine is running.

Lo and behold, with JUST the left side plugged in, it fired right up! This was also the side with the new powerpack. Left side got nice and warm.

I then put the ignition coils that were on the left side originally on the right side and disconnected the left side. Crank and crank, and nothing. Switched powerpacks, nothing.

So, with the "good" ignition coils on the left side, I switched out all 3 powerpacks in my possession and it fired and ran on those 2 cylinders every time. All 3 powerpacks on the right side with the "bad" ignition coils, no fire at all.

I guess what's been throwing me off is that I have 2 bad ignition coils, and they were both on the same side. Off to the boat shop to return the powerpack and pick up two ignition coils.

Hopefully it's the problem. I sat down and tried to think it through logically.

 

[jimdd810]

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Re: Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

sounds like you might have the problem fixed good luck

 

[Ranger Danger]

Re: UPDATED and FIXED! Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Well got the two new ignition coils on, fired it up and it ran superb on the muffs. Kicked off really quick, idled really well, and sounded good.

Took it out to the lake, and marveled at how well it started and idled in the water. Eased her out to the no wake zone and opened her up. The nose shot up, then planed out, and she took off like a bat out of hell.

It's amazing what this engine can do with all 4 cylinders firing.

I appreciate everyone's help! Now on to the numerous cosmetic fixes.

 

[jtexas]

Re: UPDATED and FIXED! Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

hey, there's way worse things than having a spare powerpack on board!

Don't forget, the keyswitch issue...you know how those electical gremlins are...it happened once, it'll happen again, at the least opportune time. Get yourself an "autoranging digital multimeter" ($25-$30 at car parts store or walmarts; not the best but good enough, and a handy tool to have around the house), test the keyswitch for continuity.

 

[Ki Ki]

Re: UPDATED and FIXED! Like It Never Ends: Carb Issues

Well got the two new ignition coils on, fired it up and it ran superb on the muffs. Kicked off really quick, idled really well, and sounded good.

Took it out to the lake, and marveled at how well it started and idled in the water. Eased her out to the no wake zone and opened her up. The nose shot up, then planed out, and she took off like a bat out of hell.

It's amazing what this engine can do with all 4 cylinders firing.

I appreciate everyone's help! Now on to the numerous cosmetic fixes.

Read all the posts of this thread. Nice work Ranger Danger. I've been having a nightmare with my motor, but finally have it in good hands.