83 gt150 charging volts too high?

[motodave]

I put my motor on muffs today and fired it up, I'm trying to get the idle set right, and checked some ignition components on the way. Rectifier checked out ok before starting. I had 12.6 v at battery before starting, and 14.3 while at idle (1100-1200rpm) is this indication of faulty regulator? I think I remember reading it shouldn't be over 14. I'm not sure why it's idling so much higher than what it was, carb butterfly's are completely closed, cam roller in correct position, etc and so far adjusting the idle screw hasn't brought it down, any input/suggestions much appreciated!

 

[motodave]

Sorry model j150stlcte, have spark that jumps 7/16 gap on all cylinders, just took compression, from top to bottom port to starboard was 90,90,88,94,95,87. Lot different than the cold readings I took. Spark plugs on top 2 cylinders were black and sooty, rest of them were pretty wet. I'm not liking what I'm seeing. Any ideas, next test or procedure? Thanks

 

[Bosunsmate]

Is your timing base retracting back to its stop?
Have you tested the stator output?

 

[Bosunsmate]

check the little bypass lines arent cracked, if your motor has them they are the little ones from the bypass covers to the carbs front manifold

 

[F_R]

Why are you trying to adjust it on muffs? You need to have it launched in the lake to make any correct adjustments. Especially the idle speed. Back pressure on the exhaust when it is in the water makes a big difference.

14.3V certainly is nothing to worry about.

 

[motodave]

Hi Thanks for your reply, I think I had meter set wrong, retested at battery at idle and got 14 vdc. I'm not sure I'm testing stator correctly, meter set to ac I check top 2 terminals on strip, correct? Black lead to ground? I keep coming up with about 6 and I was told it should be 190?

 

[motodave]

F_R thank you for reminding me, can you tell I'm new to boats? Ha. Thanks to all you guys on here, I've had great help!

 

[F_R]

What are you checking, stator voltage to power pack? You are wasting your time unless you have a DVA meter (peak reading voltmeter).

 

[Bosunsmate]

Wet sparks normally means sparks weak/intermittent unless its flooding out. Is the primer bulb holding firm with engine off?

Since all plugs are wet or fouled id suspect stator. As FR says you need a peak Volt reader for that, I think an analogue meter works approximately but i cant confirm that

 

[motodave]

Ok thank you guys. I think my dad has the appropriate meter, and he knows electrical much better than me so I will test at later date. As for now, the lake test went well and it is idling much better, the back pressure did make a huge difference! I'm going to check my plugs after WOT run when it warms up. Thank you again!

 

[emdsapmgr]

That engine will idle with the carb butterflys completely closed. It gets enough air thru the small holes in the butterfly to keep running at idle. When that engine idles, it overfuels slightly. It's pretty normal to see wet plugs if you pull them after it's been idling for a short period. Different story if you do a throttle chop at WOT, then check the plugs-they will be light tan. The sooty top two cyls are different than the normal bottom 4. I'd look at why that's occurring. You may want to run some Bombardier Engine Tuner thru the powerhead and then check the plugs again. (will clean any carbon from the piston ringsets-a good, normal, Prev Maint thing.)

 

[motodave]

Hey thanks emdsapmgr, I am going to run some brp engine tuner through the cylinders on the next lake test, and check plugs after WOT run. I pulled and checked the plugs more than a few times yesterday, and they looked different each time. I'll let you guys know thanks!