Won't start.....help!!!

Vic.S

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
4,719
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

f there isn't enough spark what's the most likely issues?
Coils, points, condensers

If the insulation on the coils is cracked up they need replacing.

Points..well you can clean them up and reset then ( 0.020") at the same time as you inspect the coils. Just as you would for coil and points ignition in a car. Must be scrupulously clean ... not even a fingerprint!

Condensers difficult to diagnose other than by replacing. Only ever come across two failed ones in 50 years. One in mates car ( MG 1100)... that fooled me.
The other in an old Viliers engine recognised the symptoms 2nd time around!
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Well Vic I hate to tell you this but I've been in the marine business for 46 yrs and I've seen quit a few failed condensers . Not only on capacity but series resistance. Also seen them fail when it got really cold out and they would open up in side. IE: series resistance. The only proper way to check a condenser is to have the proper tester.
 

drppr

Recruit
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Messages
2
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

have a buddy with a similar condition of a no start. Its a 2005 90 hp e-etec outboard. He says the engine just shut down after an hour of use. He says no spark either. Had a laptop with the evinrude diagnostic software and cable hooked up and the error message says the boots strap connector needs to be disconnected. we do know there is no boot strap connected. we have no communication with ethe engine's emm. stumped.
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Well once again thanks for all the information!

I'll know very soon this morning if it's going to fire into action so please keep all those forum fingers crossed!

Will update shortly!
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Well all I can say is "ar*e" it will not work this outboard and it's driving me crazy!

I have a feeling there isn't a big enough spark being generated so guess I'm now going to have to go and buy the tool to get the fly wheel off to investigate which I really didn't want to do!

Also I made the biggest school boy error ever and in getting angry and taking the newly purchased spark plugs in and out to test for spark I've messed the thread up on the cylinder head so now need a new one of those!

Someone once told me that outboards are a pain, yesterday I found working on this one fairly easy but now I'm starting to see why!
 

jamesselby

Cadet
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Aug 3, 2010
Messages
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Re: Won't start.....help!!!

I decided while ordering a new cylinder head, cylinder gasket I'll also get a new condenser and coil, can anyone think of anything else I might as well order?

I'm determined to get this engine working!
 

Vic.S

Rear Admiral
Joined
May 4, 2004
Messages
4,719
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

There are two coils and two condensers! ( and two sets of points)

But don't start chucking money at it by buying various bits and pieces without diagnosing the problem.

You might be able to get the head Helicoiled in fact you will probably have to as new ones are no longer available.
 

AlTn

Commander
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
2,813
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

patience:)...when you get the flywheel off...clean and check the adjustment of the points...put the flywheel back on..no need to torque it back down at this point...pull sparkplugs ...opps..forgot ..no head on, even better..set your spark gap tester to 1/4" or so...pull the starter through a few times and look for a spark...should be blue and snaps on both plug wires..if not, then order ignition parts..no need to get ahead of yourself
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

I guess there is no way of getting that fly wheel off without one of those balancer tools???

Money is tight right now and spending money on a tool is a real pain for me!
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Just a thought....do new NGK B6S sparks come preset with the correct gap?
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Wills Marine have just come back to me saying the Cylinder is no longer available!!!!!!!

Now what the hell do I do!?!?!
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Also just seen that the original spark plugs were NGK N7S not N6S as you have all recommended and the ones I purchased this morning were N7S as I took an old one with me! Could this be the issue?

I have a Cylinder head hopefully coming from Ebay!
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Just realised I've posted 4 questions one after another so I thought I'd list my questions in one post to make it easier to answer.

Sparkplugs: I only noticed when packing the outboard away that the original sparkplugs were NGK N7S and the ones I purchased earlier were the same! However you guys recommended NGK N6S, could this have been the issue with the motor not starting.

Cylinder Head:
I've hopefully found one on Ebay so will fit that so don't worry about answering that.

Temp Outboard: I have access to a Yamaha Malta 3HP (I've posted this question in the Yamaha but no one has answered - obviously not as useful as you Evinrude chaps!) My question is will the Yamaha Malta be powerful enough for the 14ft DeJon I'm fixing up?

Outboard to look out for: I'd like to buy my own outboard ideally 15HP to 25HP however my budget is limited, anyone got any recommendations for an old outboard that's reliable, easy to work on, good parts etc that I can look for Ebay?
 

Vic.S

Rear Admiral
Joined
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Messages
4,719
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Plugs N7S are cooler than N6S. Might tend to foul ... possibly... but wont affect starting. in fact N7S are the equivalents of the Champion J4J that were probably fitted when it was new. (The numbers for Champions go up as they get hotter, the numbers for NGK go down.. confusing innit)

Don't assume any plugs come preset ( except that NGK with -8 on the end are preset to 0.8mm, with -9 on the end to 0.9mm, -10 to 1mm etc)

Temp outboard IIRC you said on the YBW forum that you will be on the upper Thames. 3 hp will get you around with no problems. Speed limit is only 5mph. Yamaha Malta has a decent reputation I think. Ask on YBW. I think you will get a favourable response about it there.

Outboard to look out for you wont want 15 or 25hp on the upper Thames!
Below Teddington there's still an 8 knot sped limit and only below Wandsworth Bridge is there no speed limit

I dont know what the boat is like so I have no idea what the max suitable size will be for going to sea.
 

jamesselby

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Messages
27
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

VicS so far you have been so helpful, thankyou!

When the new bits come for the Evinrude I'll fit them and then let you know how things are going.

Again everyone thanks for all you help!
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2010
Messages
21
Re: Won't start.....help!!!

Tomorrow I'll go and get some gear oil (someone mention earlier the best one) Am I right in thinking you fill the oil from the bottom and when it start to flow out of the top hole it filled???

yes you fill the oil from the bottom, ive seen this on you tube, take a look, pretty good. :)
 
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