First Year Electronic Ignition?

[LaqueRatt]

So if we were to search for say 1980 and newer, would we be looking at mostly solid state ignitions?

I'm familiar with the "goop," having recently taken apart an ignition box for a Kawasaki. My understanding is when these get old, the goop shrinks which sometimes pulls the components apart. There are companies that melt out all the goop, test, replace, and re-solder as needed then re-goop them. Sold with warranty and from what I've heard, they seem to work quite well.

A cheaper DIY method is to put the CDI into an oven at low heat which can serve to remelt the goop and more often than not, the CDI will start working again. A friend of mine does that on his zero turn mower whenever it starts messing up. Not a permanent fix, but a free and easy one. Now I'm wondering if the outboard ignitions are similar and if these same companies that re-do bike CDIs may do outboards as well.

 

[racerone]

It is all about cost.-----In the great north they throw older motors into the bush.----Why pay to fly an old motor out for repairs and pay to fly it back.----Just fly in a new one.-----A $120 CDI box is not repairable in most parts of the world.-----Except where labor is 99 cents / hr I suppose.

 

[F_R]

Back in "The Day" I attempted to de-goop a battery CD pulse pack or amplifier. No way, no how. Haven't attempted it since.

 

[racerone]

Agreed----I have a couple of Mercury CDI switch boxes ( 9.8 HP ) that need new wires.----Spent some time digging out the sealing goop.------It can be done if you are desperate and work for 99 cents / hr.

 

[LaqueRatt]

I agree it's a last resort type of thing, but sometimes you just aren't going to let that machine beat you. Also that feeling you get when you fix what everyone else says can't be fixed. Next time before digging out the goop, try warming it gently for a few minutes and see what happens. Zero hours invested.