How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

[Salty Dog]

I have an early 80's B100 Honda 4 stroke that has no spark. I got the engine in this condition and never heard it run. Before I put any money into it I would like to try to get it going. The points look good and I would have to order the tune up parts and wait a week. I know that there is a way to test the conderser and coil and would appreciate it if someone familiar with it would inform me. Thanks in advance.

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

I guess i should probably spell condensor right.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Salty,<br />Might check here:<br /><br /> web page

 

[rons boat]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

The points will tell you if the condensor is bad. Burned points reveal that. Remember that the condensor is only there to protect the points. As for the the coil, simply use a l.5 volt Flashlight battery and strike and release on the primary of the coil "flash" to see if you get a somewhat weaker than normal but never the less a spark accross the sparkplug. Exciting the coil this way simulates the magnet passing by the coil. Since you're only using a relatively small voltage, you need to compare coils to a known good one. This is obviously not a problem on a multi-coil motor. You may be shocked a few times but the current is harmless.

 

[hondon]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

You don't mention if you have tried to run this thing or not.If you are still points ignition,you are well older than 80s.How do you know you don,t have any spark?What makes you so sure those points are doing their thing.Coils on these engine fail very infrequently.Points are a source of regular maintenance,and it sounds like this engine has,nt had any in awhile.

 

[rons boat]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

I don,t have a clue on whether they had points or not. But I agree with the previous post. Maybe real small motors were really slow to change.

 

[tallcar]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Hello fellow namesake, seems you had it first...greeting and salutations, to check the condensor is quite simple. If you feel comfortable with turning the engine over, this is what needs to be done..disconnect each condensor, but leave the points connected, turn engine over, if you recieve spark, the condensor is good, no spark means bad condensor. I do not know if this is normal testing procedure for all motors, but I had no spark on '65 Merc 200 tested as such and found both condensors failed test, replaced and WHALLAH! This tip comes from mechanic with 20+ years exp, good luck!

 

[rons boat]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

There ya go Salty Dawg, Rare but it happens. You remember if it showed up on your light tester or VOM? Are you just like me, you were so glad to find that was it?

 

[cpasseno03]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Condensors are capacitors, to test them get yourself an analog ohmmeter. Hook it up and the needle should shoot all the way over to 1 ohm, and then drop back down exponentially, the last inch of travel taking a couple seconds. If they are bad, they are burnt and shorted inside, it will just hold a certain (low) number of ohms.<br />Craig

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Thanks for the info. I ended up ordering a tune up kit and if that wont get the spark then it must be the coil.

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Still no spark. I was told there is a way to test a coil with a 1.5v battery but i'm not sure exactly how.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Salty,<br />Try this:<br /><br /> web page

 

[45_red]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Are you getting juice TO the coil? I've had to pull the flywheel and clean up the coils & magnets after mine set for a while.good luck

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

I pulled the flywheel and cleaned up the magnets and the other pieces under there (not sure what they are called). I looks like one of the magnet is rubbing on the inside piece. Would that make it not spark? How do I tell if there is juice TO the coil?

 

[45_red]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

They are the charging coil and the primary coil; Looking from the prop., the primary coil is on the right and should have two wires, one to the ignition coil and one to the oil pressure light-kill switch I believe.You have a test light or meter?<br />My manual doesn't show a clearance spec but I would guess you need .001 at least.

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

I have a multi meter. How do I test these coils?

 

[45_red]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Book says rimary coil-2 ohms resistance between the two wires;charging coil-0.13 ohms +\-10%also between the two wires.Ignition coil-between the two plug wires should be 8K ohms +\-20%.Between the ground lug and connector post-0.56 ohms+/-10%.<br />I would hook up a light or meter to the wire from the primary coil,where it connects to the ignition coil have somebody crank the engine and see if you are producing spark.

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Thanks for the info. I finally got it to spark. I think it was the coil rubbing on the flywhell that was doing it. Now the real fun starts. This thing probably hasn't run in years!

 

[45_red]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

Good to hear you have spark, In case you don't know, either drop the lower or hook up water(tub or whatever)& make sure the oil pump is working before you actually let it run. Don't let it run for more than a few seconds without water, even with the lower off& don't run it at all without oil pumping.Good luck

 

[Salty Dog]

Re: How do I test a Honda coil and conderser?

I let it run in a bucket for about 5 minutes. She seemed to be running fairly smooth for a motor that has been sitting for a long time. At a high idle the was a small stream of water coming from the pee hole with very little force. I don't know if this is normal but it looked weak to me. I noticed something dripping from the valve cover so I shut it down and took the cover off. The oil was milky yellow like it got some water into it. The block felt hot but not burning. Next I'll try and locate an impeller kit and try to figure out where the waterin the motor came from. The thermostat could be stuck too. Maybe I'll try to find a compression testor to fit it and see if it needs a head gasket.