1987 Evinrude 3 cyl VRO Firing Issue

[NeedingThisThingToRun]

Where do I start. Have always owned boats and have done my own mechanic work in the past but not sure about this one. Bought an 87 Grumman Outlaw SX with 87 Evinrude 60hp VRO power trim with Outboard Jet lower unit. Motor had appearantly not run in 2 years and I never tried when I went to buy it. I know I know but I just wanted to buy it and get it home. It is a very nice boat and the jet unit alone list for over $1800.00 I bought boat motor and trailer for $1000!!!! with clean titles to all 3 (you've heard the story, little old man now has bad heart had to sell cheap, well that's what he led me to believe anyhow and I took it hook line and sinker and still think I got a great deal). That's an unheard of deal in Mo. Anyhow, Cleaned carbs (will rebuild later but want to hear this thing run first). Unhooked and bypassed VRO (personal thing nothing against VRO). Checked compression, 120 on all 3 cylinders. Only gets fire to top cylinder, very hot spark will jump over 1/2 inch gap, nothing from bottom 2. Changed wires from power pack to each of the other 2 coils and each will fire hot with the good wire, so it appears 1 wire is good coming from CDI and 2 are not so good but how do I know if it's a power pack issue, stator issue, timer base issue, etc? I don't wanna start buying parts to try process of elimination because my pockets are shallower than the water this boat should run in. Just not sure where to start. Haven't really been able to find much online or anyone who knows what's going on with these but I'm sure there's someone here who knows the ins and outs of these electrical systems. Thanks

 

[boobie]

Re: 1987 Evinrude 3 cyl VRO Firing Issue

Go to CDI Electronics.com and check the trouble shooting procedures.

 

[NeedingThisThingToRun]

Re: 1987 Evinrude 3 cyl VRO Firing Issue

Thanks Boobie. I used that site to eliminate the coils as potentially being bad. However that's about as far as I get. I only have a standard Digital volt meter so that doesn't get me to far on peak readings and I've found over the years that color blindness and wiring don't work well. I'm thinking I might be best off to just buy a new Power pack and start there. It seems like that must be where the issue is as it seems the most logical but thought maybe someone knew a sure fire method to tell. Thanks

 

[boobie]

Re: 1987 Evinrude 3 cyl VRO Firing Issue

You can't really tell what the prob is with out testing properly. A digital volt meter with a DVA adapter will tell you the same as a peak reading volt meter. Get one and find a friend who isn't color blind. You may save some money rather than just guessing.