1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

[timsboat]

Hi. I'm loosing spark on #6 when I take her above 3,000 RPM. We just did a complete overhaul and had no luck with #6 the compression checked out good. I can put in a new spark plug and Idle around and it comes out with a slight brown color then install another new plug and run it up above 3,000 and it looks just as white as it did when it came out of the box -the oil. I have changed out the power pack with one that came off a running motor (loaner) and it didn't help. I switched the carbs around but that was a waste of time. What next maybe $$$$?<br /><br />Tim.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

it looks just as white as it did when it came out of the box -the oil.

Can you clarify this a bit more? Does the plug look clean as new? No fuel on it? How do you know you're not getting spark above 3000 RPM's? VRO engine?

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

I was having that same problem with my 99 200hp, #5 cyl. coming in and out above 3500 rpm, turned out to be timer base, after much troubleshooting. I was told this is very rare so you may be in luck. Did you check the #6 coil before changing that power pack? Good Luck.

 

[james roach]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Replace that coil.

 

[timsboat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Thanks for the fast reply.<br />Yes the spark plug has fuel on it and it is a vro<br />I have put a timing light on each wire and that one (#6) starts going in and out when I put a load on the motor while the boat is in the water.The coil is hitting good at Idle with a blue spark on the plug when I lay it on the block at start it up. It's only when I bring the RPM up is when the timing light starts to skip it's flashing.I have only watched the light on the gun. Do you think that the coil goes out at higher rpm's I thought that they work or don't work at all.<br /><br />Thanks again.<br />Tim

 

[james roach]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Yes, they break down when under a load. They will appear to be fine while idling then act up when under a load. Heat and moisture kill them. 28 bucks or so for a new one. If one is bad the others might not be far behind. Please post your results. Oh yeah, check the coils ground and make sure it is clean before you replace it. It may just need a good cleaning.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Swap coils and see what happens.

 

[timsboat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Thanks for the tips guys I just thought of something remember when I post this problem I said that we just did a complete overhaul? Will I soaked the block and heads down with some good quality black paint after re-asambled. HUM I wonder how much of that stuff is under my coil. I will check all the posables out this weekend and let you know.<br /><br />Bad coil<br />Bad ground<br />Wires touching flywheel???<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Sincerely Tim

 

[timsboat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Hello All,<br />OK I pulled all six coils and cleaned the ground on the block and the coils. Next I marked the coil that came off #6 with white paint and installed it over to #3. I put a new spark in #6 and #3 went to the lake today ran it for approx. 30 min. and put it back on the trailer.<br />I then puled the plugs (#6 and #3) and the #6 was <br />white and wet with fuel and #3 had a nice toast color to it. What does this mean <br /><br />Tim

 

[timsboat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Bump...<br />Anyone????? Please<br /><br />Tim

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

I don't know that much about the newer ignition systems, but when a plug is clean as a whistle while the others are not, I usually expect a blown head gasket.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

I am dealing with a similar issue on my Suzuki 115. I am looking into replacing coils. It seams to me that you have one that is not firing and needs to be replaced.

 

[timsboat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

No, the coil is fine I have swapped it around and it does fine on other cylinders. I put a good one on the hole that I'm having spark falling off and it don't help it any. The compression is 120-125 on all six. Leak down tested out good also.<br /><br />Tim

 

[8up]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Form what I have been reading in this post, a clean plug (almost steam cleaned looking) is a sign of water in the cyl.. But don't take that to the bank...I'm new at this outboard stuff.

 

[Walker]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

That motor has 6 carbs right. Sounds like a carb problem to me.

 

[james roach]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Dont forget the plug wire. Check for corrosion.

 

[AUGIDAWG]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

He said that the timing light was showing that #6 was going in and out under load at 3500 rpm.<br /><br />If a plug was wet with water, wouldn't the timing light still show that it is conducting even if there were no spark?<br /><br />If it was oil fouled, then it would not. But then, the plug would show the oil.<br /><br />It may be the timing base alright.

 

[93bronco]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

my #2 cylinder was irratic (among other things) on my 88 140, new power pack cured that last year.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

Do a test on that timer base man. You have to disconnect that power pack again and put a meter on the wires coming up from the timer base, and I believe, but not 100% sure, you should be reading 2.5 volts while cranking. If you look up one of my posts called, "1999 Johnson 200, erratic rpm", there is the correct procedure that I used to troubleshoot it, given to me by the experts on this site. I did this procedure and had a bad timer base, replaced it and the engine runs perfect now. Good Luck.

 

[timsboat]

Re: 1996 225 Johnson loosing spark

I looked in to the "steam clean reply" And the one about the head gasket. Thanks for all of the reply's that I have gotten it's nice to have good pepole like you out there. Now for the funny part.<br />Will I am a little embressed to post this but here goes. This was my frist outboard to ever rebuild. I have forgot how many atomotive engines I have done. OK I pulled the head to check for a problem with the gasket and what I found is that I had #6 piston in backwards. So I hope that I can just pull my intake and spin it around.<br />Alot of hear pulling for just a stuped mastake.<br />Should back on the water soon <br /><br />Tim