1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

[RandyJ]

Generally, if it's got fire, gets gas and has compression I can make it run. I'm lost! I went out yesterday, pulled the rope a few times and it hit and sputtered. Since then I haven't been able to get even a pop out of it. I found bad gas, cleaned that out of tank and carb, cleaned plugs, cranked it over LOTS of times with the plugs out... even went to the point of pulling the lower unit and trying to get a pop out of it since I thought even the exhaust could be stopped up. I couldn't get fire so I filed points & reset them to .020. Now it gets fire but still not even a pop... Last year this was an extremely good running little motor...

 

[doogey]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

How's it going..I have a similar problem with the same size engine.. mine was in the same shape. I cleaned the magnets on the flywheel. As well as the points. Mine would not fire at .020 so I had to have the points touching for it to run.. also check to make sure your condensers have a good ground. I had a bad ground in the beginning.. hope this helps..

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

The common problem with these engines, if the stator ohms good is the insulator blocks on the point screws are shorted and need replaced.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Thanks Laddies... and this is the crazy motor that has to have continuous ground.. .break the ground to kill the engine. No condenser. Since it's getting fire and already has demonstrated that it can and will try to start I don't think the problem would be with the insulator block though they are cracked (and have been for a long time. It ran great with them cracked last year.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

OK!

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

obviously something crazy is going on here. I was just out tinkering with it again... this time, no spark at all. maybe it's just testing my patience and playing games with me. Should I pray to the sea gods or medusa?

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Go over your wiring with a fine tooth combe, it corrodes. Points must be .020 and black doesn't matter. Disconnect the wire going to the stop switch and ground it and check for spark. If none then it could be insulator blocks or the stator.

Points outlast the motor, at least these particular points.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Thanks. I had to work all day today so maybe I'll have time to really get into it this weekend. I know that these phase maker systems are "different". I'll just have to check everything I can. One thing I don't know is how to check the stator... got any hints for me on that one?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

I guess you didn't like Laddies Sugestion above. OH well.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Laddie's suggestion is fine. I just don't think the insulator blocks are the problem and I've pretty well covered that already. However, I'll not rule that out when I get to go over the wiring again. I know it has got to be something very simple. The way it's acting there has just about got to be a broken wire or a wire touching something that it should not be.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Many times the insulator blocks will spark test OK, yet when under compression the voltage rise is much greater, THEN the short occurs.

Take the insulator blocks OUT and LOOK!

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Real easy to test the stator if you have a DVA, disconnect the green wire and connect the DVA on AC, check for 450V+ when cranking.

These are what bad blocks look like, a motor I had to change them on last summer, notice the split in the center, not normal.

If you go to the CDI website there is a test breakdown on the entire system that WILL tell you what's wrong, it's systematic troubleshooting at its best.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Many times that split will be on the bottom side and not visable until you remove the block and LOOK at it!

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Stator "easy test" tested good. Wiring checks okay and points are breaking (opening & closing circuit). It appears that all that's left is the insulator blocks, coils, and plug wires... otherwise it should be running like new. Nothing else left to check that I can think of.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Both coils gone, doubt it, plug wires both bad, doubt it, insulator blocks- yup, if cracked they leak to ground and you get no trigger and no spark. Pull the blocks, they are more than likely black on the inside and melted/cracked.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

probably/possibly... now... where do I find insulator blocks? Time to start searching.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Call CDI, they sell them,

Sales and Information: 1-800-467-3371

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

Thanks... funny thing.. I can drive to CDI in about an hour... but ordered them out of NC to save about $15 on those iddy bitty pieces of plastic. Now that I know more about them I very well may be at their ignition school next year.

 

[RandyJ]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

BTW... the insulator blocks worked and it starts good... now getting the "NEW" problem fixed, carb not sucking fuel from bowl.... ARGHHHHH!!!!!

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1971 Merc 110 (9.8 hp) won't hit a lick!!!!

LOL, Now you believe how many times we've pulled our hair before we learned to LOOK at those blocks!

Those itty-bitty fuel passages can be TOUGH to get cleaned completely.

Wally World Super Tech spray carb cleaner, acid brush, a very fine needle, compressed air, and LOTS of patience.