Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

[levittownnick]

'97 Johnson J150EXEUE flywheel retails for $740. I would like to replace the magnets in the one that I have (1 of them has a large portion of the corner cracked), but I can't find a source for them (my OMC dealer don't have them and he doesn't have a rebuilt). It appears to be a straight foward task to replace these magnets if a kit were available.

This engine has been getting progressively harder to start if it hasn't run for several hours. I have no hard evidence that these magnets are the cause so to spend big bucks on a new flywheel to try seems foolish.

There are cautions about being careful with the flywheel because of the magnets. I'm wondering about the shock that these magnets get each time the starter is engaged. Mechanical shock is a known killer of magnets.

Can anyone suggest a source for these magnets or have other input that I should know about?

Thanks
Nick

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

well before spending money, what have you done to see if there is another reason it is hard to start. compression check, spark check with a tester. when were your carbs last cleaned and rebuilt. all or any of these being wrong will make it hard to start.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

Replacement magnets come in a kit with adhesive. OEM part number is 584304 for each magnet. I don't believe there are any aftermarket replacements. You will have to find a dealer (local or on-line). Use the dealer locater to find someone local to order them for you if you want: http://dealerlocator.evinrude.com/en/410000.shtml

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

I have redone the carbs last season (they were clean when they were taken apart), replaced the optical sensor (the ignition analyzer indicated a intermittent), replaced spark plugs, measured compression (lowest 97 port bank, highest 107 starboard bank), ran the fuel untill the tank was near empty so that it would have fresh fuel, and some other checks. The dual batteries are 2 years old. When it runs it is as good as when it was new, but it has been getting progressively harder to start. I'm going to try to measure the cranking speed to try to determine if the starter is up to snuff.

Thanks for your interest.
Nick

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

ezeke, thanks for the magnet info. That is just what i was looking for.

Thank you,
Nick

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

My son-in-law Kurt stopped by while I was working on the engine when the motor was in one of it's "woun't start" modes. Even though I had checked the spark several times, he checked for spark and there was none. Using the heel of his hand (while I cranked the motor), he banged on various parts and when he hit the cover above the power pack, the spark came back and the engine started (and stalled) on the 5 cyllinders that were still connected. After 3 or four times repeating this sequence, the engine would start almost instantly. Then, we could not get it to faulter no mater how hard we tried. The covers were removed and each individual wire was pulled on, first by hand and then with long-nose pliers. The next day it started as if it were waiting for someone to turn the key. Knowing that things don't fix themself, the power pack was removed and inspected as were each pin in the connectors but nothing suspicious was found. Put it back to gether and it's almost instant start. While I have strong suspicion that it's the power pack, I'm not 100% sure. The OMC dealer in Freeport, NY that let me use his flywheel (He didn't even ask for my name or for a deposit on the flywheel.) for a test, (The new flywheel didn't seem to make any difference so I put my original back on the engine.) suggested that I use it as is and if it happens again, see if it can be isolated. He said it may not happen again, and that he has seen this several times in his shop.
Happy boating,
Nick

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

If you're going to replace that pack I'd strongly suggest using the CDI digital pack rather than the OE pack.

 

[levittownnick]

Re: Flywheel magnets/hard or will not start

Thanks Dhadley, I'll keep that in mind. I have 2 questions for you:
1) Would you replace it now?
2) Would you share your thoughts on why a CDI unit over the OE unit?
I have always been inclined to use OE but that is only based on gut instinct rather than good experience or basic knowledge.

Sincere thanks to all the help that I continue to receieve on this board.
Nick