Please note that the PICTURE UPLOAD function is not working. The iBoats Forum Moderators are working with the system administration folks at the parent company to get the issue resolved. This happened about a year ago and here we are again. In the meantime you can post photos as links to a picture hosting site of your choice. We are sorry about the inconvenience and will advise when the issue is resolved. Thank you for your patience.
Hello, I bought a 1987 Stratos with a 1978 150 Evinrude. Cannot see a spark when it turns over, any help is appreciated. FYI the starter seems to be dragging a little so I am replacing it asap.
On a 45 year old motor like that the first thing is a compression test.-----Post your numbers here.-----These motors were famous for broken piston rings.-----I know that this has nothing to do with spark.-----But those results are good for future reference.---If starter cranks slow there will not be a spark----So charge the battery.----Load test battery ( even if new ).-----Inspect battery cables.----Myself I would take a starter apart for inspection before spending beer tokens.
It is not hard to figure out what is wrong if you follow suggestions.-----Even if these suggestion seem strange to you.----Disconnect black / yellow stripe wire at both powerpacks.----See if there is now spark when cranking .-----Test ohms on ignition charge coils and sensor coils.----No need to remove flywheel for those tests.----Load test the battery !
I am willing to learn, just never had an outboard. Plus whomever had the boat before me at some point did some really interesting wiring so I may just get a mechanic to take a look.
Do the compression test before hiring a $100 / hr expert.------The ignition system does NOT use 12 volts from the battery to make spark.-----But that is a mysterious fact to some.----The previous owner may have been stabbing in the dark.----I was not there !---Spark comes from the electronic magneto if flywheel spins over 250 / 300 RPM.
It works like a crank trigger used on race engines I know, I'm looking for a wiring diagram also to trace the wires that look factory and try to figure out why the extra wiring.
Many different opinions on compression.-----I would be concerned with those numbers on my gauges.----Then again it may have a ---" low compression kit "---Installed on it.
