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Erratic spark 1988 200hp

G

gene_d

Regular Contributor
Hello everyone.
I am working on a 1988 200 hp Evinrude V-6 E200STLCCM.
I am doing some spark tests with a tester grounded to the head bolt and each coil wire connected to the tester.
2 nites ago I first check spark and all 3 coils on one side worked and the other 3 did not. An hour later 5 out of the 6 coils sparked.
Last night 4 out of the 6 fired. 3 on 1 side- the middle one on the other.
Then a half hour later only 1 fired.
I have switched coils and power wires around and cannot find a pattern. All coils have sparked good at one time or another.
The engine will not even try to fire.
I am starting the tests described in my manual. 14 pages of tests.
I might be awile.I have and ohm meter but not a PRV meter or a Stevens load meter.
Any advice on where and how to look first?
 
Visually inspect the stator under the flywheel for cracks and especially for a substance that might be dripping out of it and down on the timer base and powerhead. If the mentioned substance exists, replace the stator as that flaw will result in weak, erratic, and eventually no ignition (spark).

I assume you know that the spark plugs must be removed when doing a spark test in order to obtain the highest cranking rpm.

Also, keep in mind that the engine must crank over at least 300 rpms in order for the stator to energize the powerpack(s). If the engine is slow cranking, find out why and correct the problem.

Thousands of parts in my remaining stock. Not able to list them all. Let me know what you need and I'll look it up for you. Visit my eBay store at:

http://stores.ebay.com/Evinrude-Johnson-Outboard-Parts-etc?refid=store
 
Hello and thanks Joe.
After I made my post I did some reading on the board and found the "crank with plugs removed" advice.
Tonight I cranked with plugs out and got spark in all 6 coils.
I put the plugs in and the bad boy fired. I have the engine inside without the lower unit on it. I only let it run for a few seconds. I will take it outside tomorrow, hook the water hose up and give it a better try.
I think when I tried to start before I did not pay enough attention to the fuel getting to it. I stopped trying to start it, to check spark, and ran into this.
Thanks again. I'll see how tomorrow goes. If I go back to no spark, I'll be checking that stator. That is the big ring of magnets under the flywheel right? Does not move with throttle?
One thing I noticed when it fired. Liquid spit out of the flywheel when it first fired.
This engine has been sitting for 4 years,(blown gears in lower unit) I got a small hose and shot LPS#1 lube past the reeds to "prelube" the rod bearings.
Was this the lube coming out? Do I have a bad upper crank seal?
Lower unit has new gears in it now. New lower seals and pump kit on the way.
5 cylinders have 105psi. 1 cylinder has 97-98 psi. Top cylinder starboard is the low one.
Any problem running without lower unit on? Hook hose to metal tubing inside midsection? Only at idle speed.
 
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