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Muskie Fishing -> Muskie Boats and Motors -> UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems
 
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Message Subject: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems
billy bucher
Posted 4/14/2015 8:22 PM (#764881)
Subject: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
I have a mid 80's evenrude 100hp that ive been having problems with the last few seasons. it comes and goes. Somtimes it runs perfect, sounds great, and gets right on plane. Other times it seems like it only has half power, it wont get on plane, runs rough, and sounds terrible. It just cuts in and out. Sometimes it runs perfect all day, then heading back to the dock it just cuts out, suddenly no power again. Sometimes it will cut in and out a dozen times on a short run accross the lake. Other times It runs perfect for a whole week, no issues. But most of the time its cutting in and out. When its acting up, it seems like its only running on 2 cylinders.

Any ideas? Seems like a spark issue not a fuel issue to me, but im certainly no expert
Muskers
Posted 4/15/2015 8:39 AM (#764931 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?




Posts: 325


Location: Otsego, MN
I am no expert either but when I hear of issues like this I look into the things I can which would be the fuel filter, gas lines and pull the plugs to see if the carbon buildup is excessive or lack there of in some cylinders. The more of that information you can give to someone with knowledge they can narrow down the possibilities much faster and cheaper
billy bucher
Posted 4/15/2015 10:57 AM (#764957 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
All fuel lines from the tank to the motor, fuel filter, and spark plugs were replaced last season.
ESOX Maniac
Posted 4/16/2015 7:28 AM (#765087 - in reply to #764957)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 2753


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
If it has oil injection, check the oil tank for water, also check the fuel tank! 2 cycle motors don't run well with water injected in the fuel mix. Its why I had to put a new 150 on Esox Maniac (1985 Skeeter SF150). If you have been running fuel w/ethanol it could be in the fuel tank too. Your symptom's are all to familiar!

http://epa.gov/oms/regs/fuels/rfg/waterphs.pdf

Good Luck!
Al


Edited by ESOX Maniac 4/16/2015 7:31 AM
billy bucher
Posted 4/16/2015 8:11 AM (#765096 - in reply to #765087)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
It does not have oil injection, i have to pre mix every tank of gas. I do suppose there is a chance of having some moisture in the gas tank, but i dont know how i would check. I have to remove all batteries, charger, and large section of the floor to get to the built in 28 gallon tank. I am guilty of putting ethonal fuel in it from time to time, i sure that doesnt help. Cant i put an additive in the fuel (sea foam, ect..) to get rid of any water in the fuel tank?
kjgmh
Posted 4/16/2015 11:51 AM (#765142 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 1088


Location: Hayward, WI
If you have access to a portable gas tank you might try running it on that.
jjmuskie
Posted 4/16/2015 11:54 AM (#765144 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 208


Location: Sun Prairie, WI
Always rule out fuel issue first. I had a similar issue with my 90 hp mariner. I used a timing light to diagnose that I was defiantly loosing spark. I could get it to act up in the driveway on the muffs. Mine would cut out then come back. Ended up being the switch box (cdi box) Google a company called CDI electronics. U should be able to find some trouble shooting help tnere.
John23
Posted 4/17/2015 12:32 PM (#765278 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: RE: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?




Posts: 46


You probably have a coil that is going bad. If that's the case, it will be hard to identify the bad coil if the problem is intermittent. That said, if you're on the water and the problem is occurring, you can pull the wires off the plugs one at a time and see which one, when disconnected, does NOT cause the symptom to change. That will indicate the bad coil. Or you could try replacing all four. They're $50 or less per and very easy to replace.
tbaatz
Posted 4/18/2015 8:56 AM (#765349 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 140


Location: Scandia MN
I agree with John23 diagnoses of a bad coil and the method to check them. Another trick I learned with a similar motor was to run it in the dark somehow and watch the plug wires. Mine looked like the 4th of July under the shroud I used. Bad wires will lead to increased resistance and put a coil under an excusive load which will eventually cause it to fail. It's always a good idea to replace the wires with the coil. The kits are cheap insurance and easy to install. Good Luck - - - -
billy bucher
Posted 5/19/2015 10:11 PM (#769486 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
###UPDATE###

So i ended up buying 2 new cdi boxes. Wasnt the problem, 150$ down the tubes. I tried running the motor on an external gas tank with fresh gas in it, nothing changed. That rules out having moisture in my gas tank causing these problems. I got new spark plugs and relaced all of the fuel lines. Ive pretty much rulled out it being a fuel issue, im pretty sure its a spark issue. I also posted this question to the bass boat central evinrude forum as someone suggested in this thread, and havent gotten any answers back.

So my next step would be to replace all 4 coils and spark plug wires.as someone else suggested, i tried unplugging the spark plug wires one at a time while the motor was running to locate a bad coil. This is really weird but nothing changed. It ran the same with only 3 spark plug wires plugged in as it did with all 4. I unplugged all for of them one at a time and nothing changed. So does this mean my coils are all ok? Also is there a way to test the coils with a continuity tester or something before i waste another $120 on coils i might not need?

Seems like maybe i have a wire shorting out somewhere in the ignition system?????

Anyone else have any more ideas or suggestions?? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again guys!

Edited by billy bucher 5/19/2015 10:55 PM
kjgmh
Posted 5/20/2015 8:36 AM (#769519 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 1088


Location: Hayward, WI
Have you done a compression test?

I am confused about your plug wire pulling test. If you pull each plug wire off, one at a time while the motor is running you will notice a change.

After running it pull the spark plugs and see if they all look the same. This might point you to what cylinder you are having with issues with.

billy bucher
Posted 5/20/2015 8:50 AM (#769522 - in reply to #769519)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
I did do a compression test last season and all cylinders had good even compression. Plus when the motor is not acting up, it runs excellent which wouldn't be the case if i had a bad cylinder. I am also confused about nothing changing when removing the spark plung wires. I unpluged cyl #1 plug wire then started the motor, nothing changed. So i plugged cyl #1 plug wire back in and unplugged cyl #2 spark plug wire. Started the motor nothing changed. I repeated these steps with all four plug wires. It never died, or did the symptoms changed what so ever. I am definitely confused my that, thats why im wondering if there is a way to do an ohm test or something on the coils?
John23
Posted 5/20/2015 9:06 AM (#769527 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?




Posts: 46


The way you're testing it will only work if it's a constant problem. Because it's intermittent, you're not likely to find the bad coil with an ohm test or by pulling wires the way you are. Coils typically fail when they're hot, so you wouldn't normally see the intermittent problem on a cold engine. The wire pull test has to be done while the engine is hot and running, and it will only identify the bad coil if you do it while the problem is occurring. Consider replacing all four coils and being done with it.
billy bucher
Posted 5/20/2015 9:13 AM (#769528 - in reply to #769527)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
I did try the pulling spark plug wire test while the motor was warm, also while it was acting up out on the lake. I have definitely considered just ordering new coils, but dont want to waste money on parts i dont need. I already did that with the power packs. And no parts dealers accept returns on electrical components. Unfortunately my next step is to just order new coils and wires and keep my fingers crossed.

Please keep the idea coming guys. Everones replys have really helped me narrow down what the problem could be

Edited by billy bucher 5/20/2015 1:39 PM
ESOX Maniac
Posted 5/20/2015 3:16 PM (#769590 - in reply to #769528)
Subject: Re: evenrude v4 ignition system problems?





Posts: 2753


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
You should seriously look at fuel as the potential problem - mid 80's to now is +20 years of accumulation in your fuel tank - the pick up strainer may be blocked intermittantly, what about the fuel filter? Ethanol is nasty crap in 2 cycle motors or any engine that sits for 3-4 months over winter.

They also don't run well if there's a air leak in the fuel line either - replace the line(s) & bulb. I did it all after I blew my 1989 Johnson 150HP because of water in the oil injection... $17K lesson. Prior to that I had a air leak on the fuel line bulb itself, it didn't like that either- not enough fuel to all the cylinders.....

Good luck!
Al

Edited by ESOX Maniac 5/20/2015 3:18 PM
billy bucher
Posted 5/20/2015 4:55 PM (#769602 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
Esox maniac-- i did replace all fuel lines, and ran the motor on an external gas tank with fresh gas ( as mentioned above). The 3 gallon external tank that i ran it on has its own primer bulb. So that eliminates bad fuel line/ primer bulb and having moisture in the gas from the ethanol. I did not replace the fuel filter, but i did clean it. I do appreciate the reply and thanks!
ESOX Maniac
Posted 5/22/2015 3:47 PM (#769822 - in reply to #769602)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 2753


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
Billy, I have a Johnson/Evinrude Service Manual and Operators manual that might cover your motor. You're welcome to both, as I now have no need for them, check the Models listed to see if your motor is covered.

I'm going to Milwaukee to see a friend in nexxt few days- I could meet you in Madison (east side) and drop it off. See this jpeg.

Al
ESOX Maniac
Posted 5/22/2015 3:57 PM (#769823 - in reply to #769602)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 2753


Location: Mauston, Wisconsin
Billy, I have both a Johnson/Evinrude Service Manual and Operators manual that might cover your motor. You're welcome to both, as I now have no need for either of them, check the Models listed to see if your motor is covered. It covers 88HP-175HP, including these 100HP models.

100 Comm. Models ->
100WTLZ
100WTXZ
100WMPLY
100WTPLY

100 Models ->
E100STLCE

I'm going to Milwaukee to see a friend in next few days- I could meet you in Madison (east side) and drop it off.

Al

Edited by ESOX Maniac 5/22/2015 4:00 PM
Fishkabible
Posted 5/23/2015 9:05 AM (#769851 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 42


I'm willing to bet it's your stator!
horsehunter
Posted 5/23/2015 9:24 AM (#769853 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems




Location: Eastern Ontario
Sorry but after all this part replacement and time would you not have been further ahead to have just taken it to a GOOD mechanic with years of experience and the proper diagnostic tools in the first place. I have a good mechanic that I trust and has always treated me fair. I only buy product that the dealership he works for sells not because it's necessarily better but the service definitely is. One nice thing about living in a small center is if your service isn't good you don't last long.

Edited by horsehunter 5/23/2015 9:27 AM
achotrod
Posted 5/23/2015 4:55 PM (#769884 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 1283


Im going with stator also. My boat was doing the same thing, changed everything but the stator with no improvement. Put a new stator in and runs like a top.
billy bucher
Posted 5/24/2015 10:07 AM (#769939 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 54


Location: Madison wi
Esox maniac- i actually do have a service manual for my motor, but it doesn't have alot of info for diagnostic tests on the ignition system. As far as taking it to a mechanic, i had it to a place at the end of last season and a different place beginning of this season. Because the problem is intermittent, its hard for them to locate it. But both timrs they were happy to charge me 100$ hour for basically nothing. Ive had bad luck with marine mechanics throughout the years, and i hate to pay someone a bunch of money to fix something i can fix for free. That being said, i am at the end of my knowledge, and just bit the bullet and took it to another mechanic this weekend. My fingers are crossed. They seem to think its a loose wire or a wire thats shorting out somewhere in the harness. With my first hayward trip coming up in a week, i have no more time to waste. I will keep you guys updated on what the problem actually was when i get the boat back this week

Thank you very much to everyone who has replied to this thread and gave me help. It is MUCH appreciated! And thanks alot esox maniac for offering that service manual to me, thats very nice of you. Its people like you thar make this site great

Edited by billy bucher 5/24/2015 10:08 AM
Fishkabible
Posted 6/17/2015 5:12 AM (#772887 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 42


What's the word on this problem? Any new news to report?
Fishkabible
Posted 7/9/2015 10:11 PM (#775648 - in reply to #764881)
Subject: Re: UPDATE -evenrude v4 ignition system problems





Posts: 42


Any news to report?
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