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1984 140 hp V4 not restarting when warm

J

Jez

New member
Engine model number is J140TXATS, I think it's a 1984, but the model number doesn't match up with other sources I have found online.

Anyway, it starts up perfectly fine, runs fine, as in gets us to the fishing spots without any problems, but when we shut the engine down and fish for a while it won't restart. Sometimes it will idle for a very short period of time, but is very rough and dies, usually it just won't restart at all.

Have checked the fuel pump, and it seems to be in good shape. Starter is spinning and engaging fine, but engine doesn't grab and get going.

Starts and runs fine in tank out of the water, making troubleshooting difficult.

Any suggestions please?
 
Re: 140 V4 not restarting when warm

You should run through a complete list of hard start recommendations for an older motor. I know that sounds vague but a manual on that engine has a complete list. Pressure leaks - around the carbs and cylinders - check with soap and water - look for bubbles. Air leaks in fuel pump - Plugs - Broken high tension wires - Weak armature magnets - Defective coil or condenser - and others - Hope you find the answer. Love those older engines.
 
Re: 140 V4 not restarting when warm

No condensers on that model !--------------Start with a compression test. -------------Check the starter motor out thoroughly.------------If the starter is in poor condition ( bad brushes / armature grounded out ) it will crank slow and not fire.------Just did 2 starters yesterday , installed new brushes from the starter shop ( $5.00 ) easy to install.
 
Re: 140 V4 not restarting when warm

Wow, talk about Deja vu. This is teh exact problem I fought on my 1979 Evinrude 140 for the past few years. I could get the engine started when cold but after long runs, pulling tubes or skis and then shutting down it was almost impossible to restart. Once it did fire it would spit and sputter and if I gave it throttle it would bog and die. The solution was to set at high idle for a few minutes and then it would finally take off.

I had fuel delivery problems to overcome (tank located too far away) which I thought was the complete problem. After moving the fuel tank to the stern last spring I found that cold starting was MUCH easier, but the hot restart problem persisted. To say the least I was just about to pull out what hair I have left.

On the last day of vacation last summer I started getting poor power and realized I had an ignition coil on the starboard side with a huge crack thus causing it to ground out. I replaced that one but found poor spark on the other starboard cylinder as well. The engine ran well but the hot restart was still tricky. After talking with my mechanic we finally realized the hot restart was my fault. Several years ago I replaced the foam in the motor hood with a thick, closed cell material. This new foam rested directly on the ignition coils. Our theory was the direct contact was causing the coils to retain heat and when the motor is shut down it was keeping all that heat in the coils and not allowing it to dissipate. So, when I tried to restart the motor those excessively hot coils were breaking down and not providing good spark.

To be cautious I replaced both port coils (they were '79 OEM) and ripped out all the foam on the back of the hood that was contacting the coils. After doing this the engine started great and the hot restart issue disappeard. Now, was the cure replacing all the coils or replacing the insulation? I don't know, but I am certain the problem is gone.

I would suggest you take a look at your ignition system and make sure everything is working top notch. Take your measurements on the power pack, coils, stator, etc on both a cold engine and when it's completely up to temp. You may have a situation like mine that the heat is causing a weak component to break down and not function properly when hot.

KJ
 
Re: 140 V4 not restarting when warm

Just to correct myself ... its a 1993 engine, not a 1984 ...

Just pulled coils off, no visual problems with them, a little oxidation around the contacts on left side, and the "grounding plates" all round are a bit worn ...

well ... while writing this i got a phone call and wandered out to my garage and noticed water seeping out of the coils from the left bank ... i dont think thats good ...
 
Re: 140 V4 not restarting when warm

Water seeping out of the coils ????---------Got a picture of where the leakage is ??----------------That certainly is strange.
 
Re: 140 V4 not restarting when warm

coilleakage.jpg


the water seeped out of that end of the coil ... there wasnt much, but have still ordered 2 replacements ... the coils on the right bank seem to be perfectly fine
 
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