Evinrude ignition problem

[pecoburn2003]

Bear with me. this may get a little lengthy.
History: 90 model Evinrude 88SPL. Recently operated at sea level. seemed to operate well. Tach has been erratic, but battery has stayed charged through two separate weeks of daily use. Last week I was at 6000 feet. Engine would not pull skier as it used to. I live at altitude, so I know how it should pull. I recently had to repair the control lever box and suspected it had thrown the timing off. I tinkered with the ignition timing several times, but it seemed to never be the same. Then, after running for about an hour, the engine would not tke throttle, four times, then stalled, refused to start. Removed spark plug and tested for spark. Found none. Two days later motor starts and idles normally. on flushing adaptor. I suspect base timing unit or CDI unit. Where do I start to troubleshoot this. Is it likely that the rectifier caused one of these units to overheat?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Evinrude ignition problem

I recently had to repair the control lever box and suspected it had thrown the timing off.

The control box isn't going to change the timing. All it does is move the shift cable fore and aft, and move the throttle cable as needed. It's somewhat possible you needed to adjust the throttle cable trunion at the engine, but that's it.

I tinkered with the ignition timing several times, but it seemed to never be the same.

Exactly what did you do? There's a certain procedure to follow when adjusting idle and WOT timing as spelled out in the factory service manual, if you don't follow that there's little chance of success.

I suspect base timing unit or CDI unit.

I take that to mean the timer base and power pack (CDI is a company which manufactures after-market ignition components).

Just to make sure that nothing major is wrong do a compression test.

As for troubleshooting the ignition there are a set of steps laid out in the factory service manual. You'll need a digital multimeter and a DVA adapter (can be purchased online for 30 or 40 bucks) - the DVA adapter captures the peak of the voltage pulses which last for only a fraction of a millisecond, way too fast for the meter to see it otherwise.

 

[pecoburn2003]

Re: Evinrude ignition problem

Ok, First I set the timing on the start as i do not have a test wheel. I live in the Desert, 100 miles from the nearest water that I an perform a test in. At sea level motor seemed fine, pulled skiers, etc,but Idle was not correct. i adjusted the timer base (CDI is also Capacitive Discharge ignition unit , left over in my mind from 1970's Chrysler ignition systems that I installed on cars and trucks. pardon my incorrect nomenclature) instead of the idle stop which put me in the guess mode. Then at 6000 feet, the motor would not pull, and did not turn up to max RPM. Lots of possible misses here I know. All i adjusted was the timer base. Thanks for your comments, any way.

As for the factory service manual, I have a hard time laying out $90. i recognize that there is a wealth of information in it, but I am an amateur. Is the same procedure
available in Clymers or Seloc manuals?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Evinrude ignition problem

I first tried to make do with a Solec manual, it sucked, they're just too generic. I've been able to find used OMC manuals on ebay for a lot less than the reprints cost. Look at it this way, the first time you do a link-n-sync (the procedure for adjusting the timing and carb linkage) yourself you've more than paid for the manual in what you didn't pay a mechanic.

Those intermittent problems will drive you crazy. Your best bet is going to be to follow the troubleshooting procedure which is spelled out in the factory manual. It could be the powerpack, could be the timer base, could be several things, but you'll lay out a bunch of cash if you start replacing parts without doing a proper diagnosis first.

I'd forgotten about the Capacitive Discharge Ignitions.

 

[boobie]

Re: Evinrude ignition problem

IMHO, Clymer and Seloc both Suck.