1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

[Putzaroni1]

So I pulled the carb off and soaked it and then cleaned it thoroughly cause I could tell it needed it. I then fired it up and it runs OK but needs to be at a fairly high idle to run in neutral. If I left it running and walked away, it would stall after a minute or 2. I tried putting it in gear when running but it would run for a few seconds and stall.

So I started troubleshooting and after doing a compression test on this motor I see that it has 75 psi in each cylinder cold. I'm figuring that's OK cause they're both equal. I moved on to the next area to test, the ignition. I purchased 2 spark testers. First a in-line spark tester. It is easy to use but doesn't tell me much other than that there is spark. One cylinder's spark looks a bit weaker than the other. I then purchased a spark gap tester to get a better idea of how strong the spark is. I have been reading on this forum about magneto ignitions and there is some great info but I'm still confused on a couple things. I unplugged both plugs, attached the tester to the plug lead and grounded it to the block. I grounded the 2nd spark plug as well just in case. I got spark the first or 2nd time I pulled the rope start but not after that. I had it set at 1/4 inch gap. Here are my questions:

1) Does this sound familar to anyone ?
2) Why would I only get spark the one time ? It was the same for both cylinders
3) Can you properly test a coil with a multimeter or do I need a Stevens or other to do it completely ?
4) Can I test condensers or do I need fancy equipment ?

I want to insure everything is working well but don't just want to replace stuff if it doesn't need to be replaced. I don't learn anything that way.

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[F_R]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

1. Sort of
2. Don't know. Try it with a closer gap. If still intermittent, check points. If coils are cracked, they are junk.
3. You can only do a crude resistance check. To really test it you need a tester. Even cracked coils can pass the resistance test. But if the resistance test shows an open secondary, it is trash.
4. Again, you can do a basic test with a multimeter (preferably an analog one), but to check the actual capacitance value, you need a tester. If the multimeter shows a charge/discharge when you connect the leads it should at least work, but maybe not as well as could be.

 

[racerone]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Pull the flywheel and inspect the 2 coils.----If original they are likely junk.----Spark should easily jump a gap 0f 5/16" or more with a snap you can hear.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

I would try to dial in the carb first. If it was disassembed and cleaned, needles removed, etc, then reassembled. The idle adjusment would need to be reset. (If there is a high speed adjustment, set it 3/4 open.) Gently seat the needle (clockwise), then open it 1 to 1 1/2 turns. From what you describe, it sounds like the carb may need to be adjusted -- would try that first before going into the ignition. All the ignition info above is correct, but if it is up and running (if poorly), I would try to make the carb adjustments first to see if that improves operation. When running right (neutral), you should be able to shift in and out of gear with no issues.

 

[kbait]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

You should get 1/4" spark consistently from both leads. If the coils aren't cracked, just pull the pointsets, file the faces up shiny, and reset to .020" (lots of info on this forum.. universal magneto). After cleaning/resetting, replace flywheel (tight.. no need to torque down nut yet) and retest. If spark is strong and consistent, torque flywheel nut and test run.

Good luck!

 

[racerone]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

That motor came with a fixed high speed jet.---This jet is hidden and often overlooked during cleaning.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

good info. hey Putzaroni -- high speed jet located and cleaned?

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Yes I pulled the high speed nozzle and cleaned it thoroughly (that is what you're referring to right ?. There are 3 holes on either side of it down the shaft. After soaking I blew it out, sprayed with carb cleaner, rinsed with soapy water, blew it out one last time and then blew on the top of the jet with my mouth to insure all 6 holes have air coming out of them. It didn't look like there were any other orifices on it. I put it back in until snug and then tightened gently. One thing I wasn't sure about because I didn't take your guys advice and take pictures was where the "Nozzle to bowl Gasket" goes. I put it where I thought it goes which is at the top of the HS Jet but when I look at the attached picture, it shows lower down on the jet. I will pull the carb off again and make sure it's in the right place if I've got it wrong. It didn't seem like a necessary gasket when I looked at it but I'm sure one of you can tell me why I'm wrong.

Also, the lack of spark could be due to me using the tester incorrectly. It's not rocket surgery I know but I may have it wrong. I'll try again and see if I can get even a narrow gap to jump. Definitely tougher to test with a rope start motor.

 

[racerone]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Sorry , the high speed jet is screwed into the carburetor bowl horizontally.------You remove the drain plug and use a screwdriver to get it out.------As I said it is hidden and often overlooked.

 

[kbait]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Don't worry too much if you don't have the proper screwdriver to remove main jet from carb bowl. Poke it out w/thin wire, blow it out w/compressed air (I use 'duster' can w/straw), and inspect w/flashlight. Do not drill it out, or force a too-large wire through, as it'll destroy the jet's precise size..

Good luck!

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Now I'm really curious. I will get it off of there and see if I can find it. I did clean the bowl up good and removed the drain bolt etc but did not see a jet. I will report back on what I find. Even looking at the schematic I can't see it.......

 

[kbait]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

The bowl drain was the high speed needle location on prior models fitted w/a high speed adjustment needle. The fixed jet is right where the needle tip regulated the fuel flow into the nozzle above.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

front of the bowl/float chamber (down at the bottom of your jpg. #27 is probably the jet -- cut off in the posted diagram), If you pulled the plug and then soaked the bowl, chances are you cleared the jet, but easy enough to check. Flashlight. wire, and maybe a squirt of carb cleaner, assumed you don't have it out.

suggest you see if you can seat the low speed needle while fiddling with the carb. Can be a little tricky, depending on how much packing is in there, but needs to fully seat. Then it gets backed out 1 or 1 1/2 turns. When the engine is running, you adjust the setting (usually lean it out some, but depends on what your motor is doing.) And it sounds like you are in process of checking spark.... all good.

btw, I think that nozzle you refer to is the low speed nozzle. To get at the passages up in the top part of the carb housing (where the low speed needle goes), you have to remove the cap from the body, and clean out the passage under there -- can also check from in there to see how and where the needle seats. Unfortunately, replacement plugs normally come in carb kits. If you have a plug for a larger motor, you could cut/grind it down to fit, but it has to be a tight fit in the carb body (tap on top expands it in place.)

 

[racerone]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Fuel for the low speed circuit also goes through the high speed jet first !-----Then it goes to the side and comes up a passage way ( hole in the gasket ) in the bowl -Then to a corresponding passage way in the upper body and goes to the low speed needle.----The nozzle in the centre is part of the high speed circuit.------When you take the time to see how they work then cleaning them becomes so much easier.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

http://www.*****************/parts/...604A&manufacturer=Evinrude&section=Carburetor

part #27 is the hs jet, and yes the boss gasket part #21 is crucial, motor wont start without it, and it should keep the bowl from touching the bowl gasket until you compress it by tightening the bowl to the carb body.

edit: guess the site wont let ya post links to marineengine anymore.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

stand corrected on that nozzle you cleaned -- not directly part of the low speed system. My question would be over cleaning of the low speed passages up at the top of the carb. According to your post, the motor runs but doesn't seem to idle down, or remain running for a sustained period. Still sounds to me like a low speed adjustment issue, and thinking you are on the way to correcting that. If the spark is reasonably good, I think I would do what I could to clean out the low speed orifice without more disassembly at this point, put the carb back on and see if I could fire up the motor and dial it in the carb.

 

[racerone]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

Fuel for low speed operation also comes through the high speed jet ( orifice ) ---------It appears then that the running problems are tied to the fact that this carburetor is not clean !

 

[Putzaroni1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

That is very helpful guys. So I'm pretty certain the Orifice Plug (#27) is whistle clean. I did have it apart and did soak and clean that and thoroughly blew it out I likely have the boss gasket (number 21) in the wrong place. I'll pull it apart again and see if I can get it right. I put it at the top of the high speed nozzle. as it fit nicely there and I could not remember where it goes. NOTE TO SELF, TAKE PICTURES

I did set the low speed nozzle to 1 1/2 turns out from being gently seated. I adjusted it in 1/8 turns both ways for an hour. Nothing within an additional turn either way would work well. I would have the throttle at about the SHIFT to the START mark when idling but it would run well and then just quit after a minute or 2.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

I agree with Racerone on the hs jet -- sounds like you've cleaned it. Maybe R. can comment on the gasket. I thought it only went on one way, but might easily be wrong on that. But it STILL sounds to me like the low speed feed (i.e., orifice, system, etc.) may be blocked somewhere. But maybe I'm not hearing you correctly. If by an "individual turn" you mean a 1/8 turn increment, I would recommend adjusting it a little more. Try turning it leaner by 1/8 increments until operation is affected (or richer, if you prefer). But if the adjustment has no effect on operation, I think the l.s. side needs to be cleaned. You really do that by removing the plug on top of the carb, but you need one to replace it after you have cleaned out the passages under there. It is also possible that the needle is bent or broken, or that the point of another needle is broken off in the carb.

If the low speed adjustment has no effect on operation of the motor, something ain't right. If the low speed orifices are clean, but still unable to dial the carb in, it's probably time to suspect ignition issues (i.e., carb is ruled out in the troubleshooting). in the way of fuel supply issues, there are reed valves behind the carb, and a break back there can also cause operating problems. But I'm just suggesting it would be good to be darned sure it's not the carb before moving on to something else.

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1976 Evinrude 6hp - Spark Question

heres a pic of a the location of the boss gasket ( kinda hard to get it wrong, so i suspect you have it in the right position) , obviously not a boss gasket in the pic, just a compression fitting sitting where the boss gasket would go. as mentioned....its very important that the gasket gets compressed when you tighten the bowl to the carb body. ( ive come across a couple of aftermarket boss gaskets that were to thin to seat properly, and had to add a packing washer or two to make them work.)