1980s Evinrude 120hp V4, will not run correctly

binkoba

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Jul 27, 2001
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Hi all<br /><br />I will try and give you all the facts in point form below, then explain what i have done.<br /><br />*I dont know the year of engine, (dont know how to tell), but it looks like the 1973 to 1991 models, and is on a 1985 Wellcraft.<br />* System has a filter/water seperator.<br />*Starts sometimes first try, sometimes takes ages to kick over.<br />*Will only idel sometimes. The engine fires and does not fire then fires again, with about 1/2 second between each cycle.Vrmmm Vrmmm etc<br />*When it starts, it will rev at high rpm, but sounds rough.<br />------------------------------------<br />What I have done.<br />* Drained fuel, filled with new fuel.<br />*Bypassed fuel hose system, with clear hose from another gas tank (to monitor for water/air.)<br />*Drained fuel bowls.<br /><br />I am happy that I am now running good fuel in a good system up to carbs.<br />I feel it sounds like an electronic problem.<br />At the moment the start switch will not even kick over the engine, even with 12 volts to the starter.
 

12Footer

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
8,217
Re: 1980s Evinrude 120hp V4, will not run correctly

From your description, it appears to be missing on 1 cylinder. I would look towards a bad coil as the suspect. These engines are known for eating coil packs.<br />You can test for this, by finding which cylinder isn't firing, and switch the coils around. If the cylinder that is missfiring moves also, you found the bad one.<br />Of course,other things can cause a miss as you have described....Bad trigger,bad plug,shorted or leaky plug wire,and one carb not functioning. But on this engine, the first thing to check is the coils.<br />Happy hunting.
 

binkoba

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Joined
Jul 27, 2001
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Re: 1980s Evinrude 120hp V4, will not run correctly

Thanks, I have the workshop manual now, and will look closer at the ignition syatem as you suggested.<br /><br />Thanks Again.<br /><br />Bink
 
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