how to check for a spark

[riverseeker]

i have a post about my motor wont start im tryin to find the best way to check if im gettin a spark or any juice to the motor it is a pull start evinrude 9.9 2001 outboard 4 stroke and i need help thankyou for all and any help

 

[wilde1j]

Re: how to check for a spark

Get a needle gap spark test and set it @ 7/16". Spark should jump the gap.

Like this:
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-7200-thexton-404.aspx

 

[Shamus O'toole]

Re: how to check for a spark

step one...Hold spark plug to tongue

step two...crank motor

step three...you'll know if it's got spark and your friends will talk about you for months!!LOL

 

[chead98]

Re: how to check for a spark

i have a post about my motor wont start im tryin to find the best way to check if im gettin a spark or any juice to the motor it is a pull start evinrude 9.9 2001 outboard 4 stroke and i need help thankyou for all and any help

Take out the plug, place it back in the spark plug wire cap(top of plug) and rest it on the motors engine block,then pull it over. Unless you gap is way off, there should be spark visable. A gap setter is a couple of bucks.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how to check for a spark

I answered your question in the other thread. The folks in this thread don't know the story of what you're trying to do. You can use any of their techniques to check the spark, though, although I wouldn't use the tongue test....truly!

 

[riverseeker]

Re: how to check for a spark

well thanks for ur help catransplant and regarding putting the spark plug in my mouth well ive held the damn thing ive stuck a screwdriver in there and tryed to be the ground i grounded the other wire then put screwdriver in one and held on got nothing i touched both feeds comin out of coil and got nothin so i doubt it will affect my tounge and if it worked and i got a spark i would only be gratefull for ur awnser lol so maybe ill try that then again maybe i already have and nothing happened then what would ur awnser be i might find it as amuseing as my freinds have a good laugh right lol

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how to check for a spark

Have you tried it after disconnecting the kill switch yet?

 

[riverseeker]

Re: how to check for a spark

yah i tried pull starting it after dissconect but not confident that took care of kill switch so maybe ill try when a freind is around to help i dont know what else to do besides take it in was just tryin to save some money before service cost and i do appreciate all ur help all help is appreciated

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: how to check for a spark

Take out the plug, place it back in the spark plug wire cap(top of plug) and rest it on the motors engine block,then pull it over. Unless you gap is way off, there should be spark visable. A gap setter is a couple of bucks.

Not an accurate test.
You need a spark tester to ensure that the spark will jump a gap of at least 1/4".

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: how to check for a spark

That engine requires a 7/16" gap for a spark test. Have the spark plugs removed in order to obtain the fastest cranking speed available.

(Spark Tester - Home Made)
(J. Reeves)

A spark tester can be made with a piece of 1x4 or 1x6, drive a few finishing nails through it, then bend the pointed ends at a right angle. You can then adjust the gap by simply twisting the nail(s). Solder a spark plug wire to one which you can connect to the spark plug boots, and a ground wire of some kind to the other to connect to the powerhead somewhere. Use small alligator clips on the other end of the wires to connect to ground and to the spark plug connector that exists inside of the rubber plug boot.

Using the above, one could easily build a spark tester whereas they could connect 2, 4, 6, or 8 cylinders all at one time. The ground nail being straight up, the others being bent, aimed at the ground nail. A typical 4 cylinder tester follows:


..........X1..........X2

.................X..(grd)

..........X3..........X4

 

[bob johnson]

Re: how to check for a spark

i have a post about my motor wont start im tryin to find the best way to check if im gettin a spark or any juice to the motor it is a pull start evinrude 9.9 2001 outboard 4 stroke and i need help thankyou for all and any help

have you made sure you have the little "U" cutout, kill switch button in place????

if you dont have a laynard with one on it, there is a spare on the tiller handle up near the hinge...

motor wont start with out that....or the kill circuit rigged to bypass that..

bob

 

[chead98]

Re: how to check for a spark

Not an accurate test.
You need a spark tester to ensure that the spark will jump a gap of at least 1/4".

Oh, well that's how much I know. I better keep my mouth shut.

Thanks

 

[bob johnson]

Re: how to check for a spark

Oh, well that's how much I know. I better keep my mouth shut.

Thanks

ha ha, I have only been here a year, and i have learned a ton...but the truth be told i did things wrong for the first 20 years of my outboard boating life!!!( now on 21) and I never knew i was doing it sooo wrong!! ha ha

that was the best way of checking spark...leav it in the boot and lean it against a ground on the motor somewhere.. and see if you saw spark!!

maybe i was lucky all those years, i didnt really have serious electrical issues! ha ha

bob

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: how to check for a spark

Chead98..... There was no offense intended within my reply, just a matter of fact so as not to confuse the original poster. For reference..........

The engines that are equipped with only a Magneto Type Ignition would use the 1/4" gap when testing for spark.

The Battery Capacitance Ignition models that dated from 1968 to 1972 would also use the 1/4" gap. These were the ignition systems that needed a battery to power the solid state pulsepack.

All of the Magneto Capacitance Ignition models use the 7/16" gap when testing for spark. These are the engines where the powerpack derives their power from the stator that exists under the flywheel. A few of the 1972 models were equipped with this type ignition BUT mainly it pertains to the engines dating from 1973 up.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: how to check for a spark

Joe,

The OP actually had another thread going on the same issue. He had no spark whatsoever, and even tried his finger to see if there was spark. In the other thread, I told him to pull the wire to the kill switch and try it again. That lead to this thread.

The outboard ran fine, then wouldn't start the next time he used it. He was just interested to find out whether the kill switch was the culprit. My suggestion was just a way to see if he was getting any spark at all, not to do a thorough test.

If it wasn't the kill switch, it was clear he was going to have to take it to the shop. He just didn't have the skills or equipment to diagnose it beyond that simple possibility.

All he needed was a quick field test to see if the kill switch was bad, as so commonly happens on that and some other small johnnyrudes. Unfortunately, this thread didn't go through the information on the other thread.

Here's the other thread. You'll see what I mean:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=394402

 

[chead98]

Re: how to check for a spark

Chead98..... There was no offense intended within my reply, just a matter of fact so as not to confuse the original poster. For reference..........

The engines that are equipped with only a Magneto Type Ignition would use the 1/4" gap when testing for spark.

The Battery Capacitance Ignition models that dated from 1968 to 1972 would also use the 1/4" gap. These were the ignition systems that needed a battery to power the solid state pulsepack.

All of the Magneto Capacitance Ignition models use the 7/16" gap when testing for spark. These are the engines where the powerpack derives their power from the stator that exists under the flywheel. A few of the 1972 models were equipped with this type ignition BUT mainly it pertains to the engines dating from 1973 up.

No offense taken. It may take me a few years but I'll surely learn more just reading these forums.

But seeing that you know quite a bit, can you take a look at my earlier thread regarding an issue that's been bothering me with my 9.9 Evinrude. Dam thing won't go fast at all. Here's the thread and a pic of me with a working motor on my boat.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=352294


Thanks in advance,
Chris

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: how to check for a spark

Chead98 & Catransplant..... http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=352294..... looked at and answered.

 

[boobie]

Re: how to check for a spark

The battery CD ignition models from 1968 to 1972 used a 3/8 " open air gap when checking out put at the plugs. When checking output coming from the coil going to dist cap it was 1/2 ". Yes, all straight magneto mtrs use 1/4 " open air gap at the plugs.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: how to check for a spark

Boobie..... The service manuals that existed back then quotes exactly those distances. However, false readings would be obtained from time to time which left questionable conclusions. I, and others had encountered these false readings even when the engines were relativity new.

Conversations with various factory representatives who were in the know suggested that the 3/8" be dropped to 1/4" and the 1/2" dropped to a 7/16" gap. Following their suggestion, false readings became a thing of the past.

I still have some of the original service manuals which list the reading you state BUT I feel that it's better to state the improvements for obvious reasons.

 

[boobie]

Re: how to check for a spark

Thank you Joe. I guess I'll have to admit I've cheated on the specs over the years myself but have ran into probs where I didn't follow them and got burned. Hopefully those battery C D ignitions are long gone down here in south west FL.