Engine will not fire!

[markmiller36]

Back again. I have a '87 Johnson 88 HP v-4. Approx. 150 hrs. Was running great untill one day had difficulty starting. Got it started and ran for short while. Stopped and hasn't started since. Have spark, fuel, and plenty of compression (125psi in all 4). Have tried starting fluid without a pop. Checked choke celanoid, checked timing without being able to run (#1 piston at the top while maker is at TDC mark), checked kill switch and most electrical. Engine is turning over fine but now I've worn down the battery. Will have to try again after it's charged. I notice a water leak coming from the Outer exhaust cover. Shouldn't it at least give a burst with the starting fluid? I have stumped some good mechanics already. Appreciate any comments.

 

[JB]

Re: Engine will not fire!

Don't use starting fluid, Mark. It washes the lubrication off the cylinder walls and can cause galling. Use WD-40.<br /><br />If you have the three essentials: spark, fuel and compression, but don't fire then you have too much, too little or wrong timing of one of them. . . at least. You could be flooding the engine or starving it.<br /><br />How do you know you have fuel? Do you mean in the tank or in the cylinder? How did you check spark?<br /><br />Standing by.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[markmiller36]

Re: Engine will not fire!

Dear J.B. Thank for reply. I realize I shouldn't use starting fluid but I am desperate for a response from my engine. I checked the sparks by pulling out and holding close to cylinder head while cranking. I did each one separatley. I have fresh gas in tank and it is getting into cylinders. (spk plugs get wet after cranking) I put new spark plugs in even though the old ones were not fouled. How do I check timing if I can't even get the engine started?! Stumped in Rochester.

 

[JB]

Re: Engine will not fire!

Hmmm. It doesn't seem to be one of the common causes. <br /><br />Does each plug wire give you at least 1/2" of arc?<br /><br />Could it be flooding?<br /><br />Maybe its evil spirits.<br /><br />I'm stumped for the moment. I'll think about this and get back to you.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[markmiller36]

Re: Engine will not fire!

J.B.<br /><br />I checked the arc from the spark wire with a screwdriver. I'm not getting even close to 1/2 inch of arc. I have to get within millimeters of engine for it to arc. What could the weak arc be from?

 

[clanton]

Re: Engine will not fire!

I would check wiring connections, stator output.

 

[JB]

Re: Engine will not fire!

Clanton is spot on, Mark. Your engine has two almost completely seperate ignition systems for the two banks. The only things they share are the stator and the ignition switch. Check the black and yellow wires from the main harness plug to the two powerpacks. Check that plug; after 13 years it may have some corrosion in it. Low voltage out of a CD-4 powerpack is usually a sign of low voltage in.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . . <br />JB

 

[markmiller36]

Re: Engine will not fire!

Dear J.B. and Clanton. Thanks for all your help! Your suggestions got me digging into my Clymer shop manual and I tried a couple things. I went back to my first gut instinct of the problem, the kill switch. I disconnected the yellow striped black wire from the key ignition to the kill switch and it fired right up! Purrs like a mean kitten.<br />I was so frustrated because I showed spark with the lanyard on the kill switch and no spark when the lanyard was off. I assume now I have to replace the switch. I hope thats all. Thanks again!

 

[Rex]

Re: Engine will not fire!