'85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

[WinnipegBoatMan]

Hi Guys,
Sorry for posting so frequently.. I have another problem that I just stumbled on! I finally got everything back togeather on my 115Hp inline 6. Fully rebuilt, new parts ETC... after all the things I've found wrong with this motor, I finally am half way thru my link and synk.. but now heres where I have a major problem.
I've got all the carbs link and synked.. now its time to work on the timing.. hook up all the electrical, and get my timing light on the #1 lead, and hook the light to my 12Volt.. Crank the powerhead, and to my surprise! No flashing..
Took the plug out, kept the ignition wire on, held the plug to the block, and cranked the engine again.. NOTHING.. poop
the only thing I can think that I've done wrong so far, my Merc manual says to remove the Idle stabilizer while doing the link and synk.. and I forgot..
My next move is to hook up a few more wires to their ignition coils, and see if any other plugs have spark..
Could I have a faulty trigger? or switch box? or just a coil.. i'll check tonight about the other plugs.. then I guess its troubleshooting time

 

[WinnipegBoatMan]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

I'm clueless on this electrical... i don't even have a DVA meter.. POOP!

 

[arsenalpsu]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

Do any of the other cylinders have spark? If not check the kill switch I asume you took pictures of how and where all the wiring goes back together, double and tripple check everything, once you have we'll start from there.

 

[CDI Tech Support]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

the only thing I can think that I've done wrong so far, my Merc manual says to remove the Idle stabilizer while doing the link and synk.. and I forgot..
My next move is to hook up a few more wires to their ignition coils, and see if any other plugs have spark..
Could I have a faulty trigger? or switch box? or just a coil.. i'll check tonight about the other plugs.. then I guess its troubleshooting time

This should be our troubleshooting guide for that engine:

CDI Troubleshooting Guide

Shortcut:

Mercury 6 Cylinder

If not, obtain the serial# (or switch box part#), then check here:

Application Guide - Mercury

Then back here:

CDI Troubleshooting Guide

 

[WinnipegBoatMan]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

Thanks Gents! I'll give it a whirl! I'll get back to you tonight on how it went!

 

[WinnipegBoatMan]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

Well... I hate to be the buzz kill.. but I am. I jumped the gun SO BAD trying to get this motor started before our long weekend here, I've been pushing hard to get this rebuild finished!
You guys really want to know why I had no spark? My older model 80hp I-4 had the old Mercontrol on it.. key, cold start throttle, and main shift/throttle... Thats it! Well my new 115hp I-6 has the most awesome contoller.. the "Commander" This thing is sweet.. has the throttle, tilt/trim, switch.. and guess what. Also has a saftey kill switch connected to a wrist band. hmmm.. where was my wrist band? Oh.. on the work bench... NOT IN THE CONTROLLER!!! The kill switch was in the OFF position.. NO SPARK DUMMY!! Holy CRAP! Unreal...
Long story short, got the saftey to ON and got my timing light hooked up.. Timed the bugger to 6 ATDC at idle/crank.. and then once that was ready, timed it next to 21 BTDC...
Got that all timed up, and made up my 25:1 mix... flushed the fuel lines out, and the carbs.. noticed I didnt do a good job on the float bowl adjustment, Carb#3 on cyl 5&6 is leaking thru the main jet.. Anyways.. cranked her over.. nothing.. used the enrichment valve.. cranked her over.. nothing.. Pumped the primer bulb and opend the enricher.. crancked her.. started to speed up.. nothing
Finally one last time opened the enricher, and VROOOM!!!!! Fired up, and right away water out of the upper exhaust..
I waited... and waited... and waited.. BUT no water out of the teltale.. I started to get worried.. i kept feeling the water jackets on the exhaust and upper cylinders.. and Cold?? But no water out of the teltale.. So after 3-4 minutes I got a wire.. shoved it up its butt, and what you know! Theres a nice steady, heavey stream of water!!! YES!!
Well.. it started getting late.. the 25:1 mix started to get a little too much for in front of the garage.. so we shut her down for the night.
Tomorrow the motor is going onto the transom, and were going to give her a whirl on the water!!

 

[arsenalpsu]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

I only thought of the kill switch b/c I did the same thing the first time I tried to set the timing on my rebuild....after 15 minutes of scratching my head it dawned on me! It's hard to think of the little things when you're excited and ready to start her for the first time. Congrats on getting her running, be gentle on her the first time out, first 5 hrs or so don't do any WOT. When you do the Link & Sync don't be surprised if you can't get a hole shot the first time, most likely you'll have to back the idle screws out more.

OH- and did you put a BB in the small back tubes on the top of each carb?? This disables the midrange system which causes lean running. Also make sure you remove your idle stabilizer (small black box on the front cow support) and throw it away. It can case detonation at WOT.

HAPPY BOATING

 

[CDI Tech Support]

Re: '85 I-6 115HP, No Spark On Cyl #1

Disconnecting the kill wire from the pack should always be the first thing you do, no matter the ignition.