nonstickseven
New member
I've got a 78' evinrude 85, model 85899C. Runs rough at all rpm's, sometimes there's a POP and a cloud of smoke at idle. New fuel pump, carbs have been rebuilt, new coil packs and plug wires, and plugs. 115-120 on each cylinder on the compression test when hot. When I pull the plug wire off the top left (#2 cylinder i believe?) when looking at the back of the motor, it runs exactly the same as with it connected to the plug. When I pull the bottom left plug wire off, it runs real bad and will die after a few seconds.
I've read in other posts that when you pull one plug wire and it dies, it indicates the opposite cylinder is the problem. I don't fully understand that, feel free to educate me. On that note, I've noticed that when snapping the throttle up from idle the lower port side cylinder doesn't seem to be getting as much fuel dumped into the intake - this is just a visual observation. I still don't understand why the engine runs the same regardless if the top port plug wire is connected or not. Not quite sure if this is a spark/timing or a fuel issue yet. Any help is greatly appreciated.
I've read in other posts that when you pull one plug wire and it dies, it indicates the opposite cylinder is the problem. I don't fully understand that, feel free to educate me. On that note, I've noticed that when snapping the throttle up from idle the lower port side cylinder doesn't seem to be getting as much fuel dumped into the intake - this is just a visual observation. I still don't understand why the engine runs the same regardless if the top port plug wire is connected or not. Not quite sure if this is a spark/timing or a fuel issue yet. Any help is greatly appreciated.