60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

[Mark Allen]

Hello,

Long time reader, first time poster

Anyway, I'm working on a 60hp 2 cycle for a buddy of mine. I'm an auto mechanic, so I'm good with diagnosis/engine work, but the 2 cycle is giving me a few problems.

I had the engine at my house for a few days, and got it to run decent, but only when I retarded the timing all the way. I literally had to take the screw out of the adjustment linkage, (obviously not normal), but it ran fine like that. Revved up quickly and smoothly, up to 55k rpm. Obviously, the engine was not in the water, so the engine had no load.

Yesterday, we took the boat out on the lake for a test run, and it had no power. The highest it would rev was about 4k rpm. I'm guessing the power issue is from the timing having to be retarded so far.

The engine then died about 2min at full throttle. It starts right back up, and idles fine. IT even runs "alright" at part throttle. But, then we tried full throttle again, and it dies suddenly.

I tried moving the timing lever with my finger, and the engine dies instantly at any rpm or throttle.

I'm guessing the stator is toast... But could it also be the ignition "box" on the side of the motor?

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

Go to the auto parts store and purchase a can of Deep Creep, Sea Foam in a spray can. Go back to the water with the cowl and any air box stuff in front of the carbs removed.

Go back through your process but this time when it bogs down, give the carbs a good squirt of Deep Creep. If it springs to life temporarily, go after dirty carb/fuel problems. If not, continue on your pursuit of ignition/timing.

Mark

 

[Mark Allen]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

Go to the auto parts store and purchase a can of Deep Creep, Sea Foam in a spray can. Go back to the water with the cowl and any air box stuff in front of the carbs removed.

Go back through your process but this time when it bogs down, give the carbs a good squirt of Deep Creep. If it springs to life temporarily, go after dirty carb/fuel problems. If not, continue on your pursuit of ignition/timing.

Mark

The fuel is the first thing I checked.

I tried pumping the primer bulb rapidly to "overcome" the fuel pump... still died.

I tried choking it... still died.

I pulled the plug from the bottoms of the fuel bowls, and I could get fuel to fly out of each one when pumping the primer bulb.

The carbs were "recently" rebuilt (not by me), I was told.

I didn't try spraying "deep creep" into them, but everything I tried did not change the outcome in the slightest.

Thanks for the reply .... but more help needed!

 

[achris]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

As you haven't given us a year (or better, a serial number) I will assume we are talking about a small displacement 3 cyl, 90's era.

1. Those engines are notorious for wanting fresh spark plugs.
2. As an auto mech you'll be familiar with setting the timing to spec and then adjusting the carbs for mixture and idle speed.... Outboards are a difference animal. The first thing set is the carb sync, then the maximum spark advance, then the primary pickup (what the timing is when the carbs start to open). Idle speed is set by retarding the timing, not opening the carbs.

Do you have the service manual?

Chris.........

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

As you haven't given us a year (or better, a serial number) I will assume we are talking about a small displacement 3 cyl, 90's era.

1. Those engines are notorious for wanting fresh spark plugs.
2. As an auto mech you'll be familiar with setting the timing to spec and then adjusting the carbs for mixture and idle speed.... Outboards are a difference animal. The first thing set is the carb sync, then the maximum spark advance, then the primary pickup (what the timing is when the carbs start to open). Idle speed is set by retarding the timing, not opening the carbs.

Do you have the service manual?

Chris.........

I still really, really like your Bertram, I don't care if you are smarter than I am on the subject. Grin Sorry I was not able to help Mr. Allen more than I did.

Mark

 

[Mark Allen]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

As you haven't given us a year (or better, a serial number) I will assume we are talking about a small displacement 3 cyl, 90's era.

1. Those engines are notorious for wanting fresh spark plugs.
2. As an auto mech you'll be familiar with setting the timing to spec and then adjusting the carbs for mixture and idle speed.... Outboards are a difference animal. The first thing set is the carb sync, then the maximum spark advance, then the primary pickup (what the timing is when the carbs start to open). Idle speed is set by retarding the timing, not opening the carbs.

Do you have the service manual?

Chris.........

Yeah, I know, and I'm sorry I did not provide a serial number. I don't have the boat in my possession. You are correct, however, in assuming its a 90's engine. (exact year, I don't know)

That is what makes this so much harder for me. I'm having to do research at my house, then drive across town to test what I have found. My HOA is very unforgiving about having recreational vehicles parked outside...

I will bring fresh plugs with me, the next time I go visit the engine.

I do have a manual... on the computer HAHA. I'm having to print the pages that I need, so I can take them out to the boat. (PITA, I know, but the boat is a large-ish pontoon boat, so its not easy to take anywhere, or hide at my house)

I was hoping you guys could give me some more "advanced" pointers, so I don't end up just printing the whole damn manual

I will try what you suggested, but what do you think about the stator? More than likely this will fix the problem (as I've described it to you), or are these just preliminary adjustments?

Thank you again,
Mark

(PS, TexasMark ... you did fine.)

 

[achris]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

You don't need to print the whole manual, just the 'synchronizing' section. There's no way we can 'talk you though it', you just have to do it by the book.

If the engine's running it usually isn't the stator. I can't remember if those stators have a high and low speed winding or just a single winding.

Best advise I can give you right now is to read the section on the sync, then re-read it. When you think you know it with your eye closed, read it again...

Good luck, and sorry to hear about the HOA... I find those types of restriction to be an impingement to my freedom... I general take a stand against them, but that's just me being belligerent....

Chris.......

 

[achris]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

I still really, really like your Bertram

Thank you.... I like it too...

I don't care if you are smarter than I am on the subject. Grin Sorry I was not able to help Mr. Allen more than I did.

Mark

???? what are you saying???? Nobody's here to be smarter than someone else... we are all just sharing opinions... I've seen some of your replies and there's stuff I wouldn't have thought of... We each have our 'area of expertise'....

Cheers.....

 

[Mark Allen]

Re: 60hp 2 cycle high speed problem

Thank you Chris.

I'll read, and perform the sync adjustments... and report back if I have problems