I used to have two engines... the 5HP literally blew up (thankfully I wasn't in the target zone!)Just prior to its demise it was running really good, so good in fact that i was reving it up and down in joy! Question: Does an air cooled outboard of this type need to be immersed when testing? Another question: There are(were) six little holes in the body of the unit - right about at the water line - these were clogged with mud or somesuch - is this the exhaust? or does it come out much lower? Could this clogging be the cause of the explosion? I am being very careful with the remaining engine...it doesn't want to fire, however (which may be a good thing!) It has a solid state magneto with a warning "do not run engine with this wire disconnected (it is the wire from the transformer to the magneto). Does anyone know an easy way to diagnose the condition of the transformer or magneto so as to eliminate the weak link? Any and all help would be appreciated as I found out the hardway that a trolling motor is no substitute for an outboard, especially in a headwind!
