[crazedyoda]

Hi,

This whole summer my motor would stall out when running idle. When we gave it alot of gas it would work fine. A few weeks ago we changed the plugs and it seemed to work great again for that day. The next day we went out and the motor fired right up and maybe about a 100 ft out or so the motor jerked a little and shut off. Have not been able to start it up since. Does any one have any idea what could cause this???

One of my buddy's thought the flywheel key might be sheared. Would that cause it not to start at all?

Thanks

[cr9c1]

If the flywheel key were sheared, then yes. It wouldn't start because the crankshaft wouldn't be turning. Only the flywheel would. Verify spark first (Check for spark, connect a spark plug to the wire, ground it on the case somewhere and hit the key) If you have no spark, pull the flywheel. If you have no flywheel key (sheared) then you've discovered the problem. If it isn't sheared, you might as well put a whole tune up kit (Coils, points, and condensers) in it.

New points should be gapped .020 and new spark plugs should be gapped .030.

You have not indicated the year or model number so I am assuming this is the same kind of motor I have (72 Evinrude 25HP Sportster) The newer ones don't use coils points and condensers. They use a totally different method of ignition.

[crazedyoda]

Then its probably not the flywheel key since I can still pull start and it pulls out fine. The motor is also a 72 like yours. My dad is coming over tonight to check the plugs for a spark. We gave it to a guy last week and he said the plugs were sparking fine. My dad does not thinks so. Will have to wait tonight to see if it does or not. My question is if the plugs are sparking whats the next thing to look for. My dad thinks maybe one of the coils are bad.

[tashasdaddy]

cr0c1, sorry but you are wrong it that the fly wheel would not turn the motor over. the flywheel can stay tight, but slip throwing everything out of time, the motor will still spark, just at the wrong time. usually causes a backfire. i've repaired many a broken woodruff key.

[cr9c1]

Yes I dont know where my mind was. I forgot the crankshaft is tapered and the flywheel can indeed move the engine over. My bad.

Still, like tashasdaddy says, you need to physically find out if the key is sheared.