Changing CDI powerpack for insurance (OMC)

[thatone123]

Just like many who change wear parts like water pump impellers every so often, what do you think of changing CDI if 25 years old or more just to be safe from the old one going out when least expected. I'm changing out the coil pack, so why not change both for peace of mind?

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

Unless it's showing visible signs of cracking and/or corrosion of wires and terminals, leave it alone. Honestly. Did you do a voltage running test and resistance test? if those are good and the unit is in nice shape, they will last forever unless some other component is failing...

 

[racerone]

Do you replace light bulbs before they pop ?-----These things are more reliable than you think !!

 

[F_R]

Do whatever you want, it's your money.

 

[kbait]

I know folks that bring a spare cd box on Canada trips where they’re far from civilization. Could save LOTS of rowing

 

[jakedaawg]

Your time and money would be better spent going through every ground and electrical connection. Star washers and wire brushes are cheaper than power packs.

Just out of curiosity: you appear to do a lot of motor flipping (this is just an assumption)...why not invest in manuals and meters and learn all the trouble shooting? What makes what fail and how to diagnose kind of stuff. It's not rocket science and would add to your profits and sense of accomplishment.

 

[thatone123]

Yes, in the Far North of Canada and Alaska, the smart cookies carry a spare CD. Imagine being hundreds of miles down the Mississippi 150 years ago and no way to get back upstream. I have all the meters and information. (not that I am good at using them) For me it is a "lost" art. Guess the idea of a spare is not too popular here.

 

[boobie]

If I was boating in the far north of Canada or Alaska I think I would carry a spare power pack just because of their failure rate. JMHO. Racerone: You keep spare light bulbs in your house. Don't You ???

 

[thatone123]

I don't get some of these guys. They love and brag up the old vintage motors that had magneto points and condensers, then wax elouquiont about how great CDI's are. I know in Remote Canada, some want the early 9.9/15's that had magneto ignitions. They want nothing to do with electronics if they can get away with it today. Even 0'l Leroy at Leroy's Ramblings web site talks about early CDI 9.9/15's that tended to fail. O' well, to each his own as the philosopher said. I know in general CDI's are reliable, but nothing is infallible.. Now, I will admit this - in that you might be better going with an old OEM CDI than a cheap China job.

 

[Crosbyman]

deep bush lake insurance …. eqpt with magneto ignition :lol:

 

[racerone]

???----The magneto will give you some warning that it needs a " no money spent " going over.--As in harder to start / slight miss condition.---The CDI fails like a light bulb " puuuufffff " and you are at a stand still until you inject money.

 

[thatone123]

RO...true! Love dat 9.5 Got one that is almost as new looking as that one. Water jacket has a leak inside the motor and I don't want to fool changing the gasket. Still runs cool in that condition. Love the sound of those! One inch shorter than any other outboard. Great for the shallows. Ahead of it's time with the front shifter!

 

[thatone123]

I saw a conversion kit for sale that stated that all OMC 2 cylinder outboards from 89 - 93 had CDI's that "could not take the heat" They were under the flywheel and this kit included a bracket to attach their new CDI outside of the flywheel.

 

[kbait]

UFI (under flywheel ignition) do indeed have a higher failure rate due to heat...and much more difficult to replace in the boonies. I wouldn’t want that type - even if CDI was newly replaced before wilderness trip.

 

[thatone123]

Good to know, will avoid those outboards!

 

[racerone]

Hey Boober---- I have spare light bulbs around the house.-----About 20 that are already in the sockets.-----If one fails I am not left in the dark !!!!!