1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

[tomzern]

Hi!

First of all I am norwegian, so my english spelling might be a little weird

Yesterday I bought a 1982 Evinrude 90hp V4 (E90TLCNB). The engine has been stored in a cold storage for a long time, but it does not look bad, and it turns easily by hand.

I took a compression test today, and the results were 120-125psi on all cylinders. Then I checked the fuel filter, connected a battery and fuel. No matter what I try, I can't even get it to "cough". I checked the sparkplugs by taking each one out and hold them against the engine block and three of them were giving a spark. I tried the plug that did not spark on one of the other coils, and then it worked. Tried to replace the coil, but still no spark. Broken powerpack?

Isn't it weird that it doesn't even show a little sign of life when I have spark on three plugs?

I have also tried startgas (spray can with fluid to spray into the carburetors, what do you call it?) both in the carburetors and directly into the plug holes with no success

What can it be?

Regards,

Tomzern

 

[boobie]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

The spark should jump a 7/16" open air gap. The plugs will tell you nothing. See if you can find a spark tester or else take a screw driver with a good insulated handle, stick it in the plug wire holding it 7/16" away from the block and crank it over.


Seeing where you're from, do you know what Lefse is ??

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

It could be the pack. You can do some testing on your own: That engine has dual power packs, one to control the spark on each head. In order to test the packs, swap them and then crank the engine. If the "no spark" condition moves to the other head, replace the bad pack.

 

[tomzern]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

Ok, so you think that the spark might be too weak to ignite? I will try to swap the packs and do the screwdriver-thing! If the spark is too weak, is it most likely the plugs that are bad or the coils/packs?

And yes, I know what lefse is! why do you ask?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

It's easy to check for spark when cranking the engine with an inductive timing light connected to each coil wire. The flashes from the gun will show weak firing, intermittents, etc. Usually the coils to the spark plugs are very reliable. Unusual for one to fail. If you have a question about one, swap it for another and see what happens. Usually some other reason than a coil, but it does happen. Keep in mind that engine needs to crank at 200 to 250 rpm's in order for the ignition system to make enough current to fire the plugs.

 

[tomzern]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

I tried with a timing light today, and it flashes good on the three plugs that are working, but no flash on the last one obviously. I have been measuring resistance between different wires according to the troubleshooting chapter in the repair manual, and have not found anything wrong yet..

So what I know is that it is not the plug, it is not the ignition coil and it is not the coil wire..Is it most likely that the problem is in the power pack then?

 

[boobie]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

Try the 7/16" open air gap first and get back to us.


I asked about lefse because I've been eating it all my life.:joyous: Got some in my freezer right now. Grandma made it all the time.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

Did you swap the power pack to confirm the "no spark" problem moves to the other head? If yes, then the pack is the likely problem.

 

[tomzern]

Re: 1982 Evinrude 90hp won't start (electrical problem?

Hello again guys!

Today I found out that there was a fuel leak somewhere around the fuel pump. After changing the fuel filter gasket and the hose between the fuel pump and the carburetors, it started right away!

It seems like it's running on all four cylinders as well, so maybe it just needed those extra rpm's to ignite the last spark...

Here's a video of the second startup:
1982 Evinrude 90hp test run - YouTube

Does it sound ok?