Do I Need A New Stator?

[Saskatoon2005]

Hello All, and thank-you in advance for all your help. I have a 1978 Mercury Outboard. It has 7.5 H.P. and I was told it required a new stator from a 2nd rate boat motor repair guy.<br /><br /> The motor produces nice clean spark from the spark plugs but the repair guy said it was not enough to get the motor going. He said when he hooked it up to the tester that makes sure the spark jumps at leasy 1/4 of an inch that the motor would not. He says the low speed coil on the stator is cracked and probably leaking the power needed to ground before getting it to the spark plug. Is there any way I can check this? The motor was hardly used and last time used was in peak runnning condition. I really want to use it to go fishing....please help me a.s.a.p

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

You're in Saskatoon? Did you ask The Marine Doctor? I think he said on his site that he's in Saskatoon...<br /><br />He has another forum on the net... themarinedoctor.com<br /><br />Maybe he could help? Just a thought

 

[dakk1]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Saskatoon<br /><br />If your doubting your mech. buy a spark gap tester at the auto parts store for about $10 and test the spark yourself. If you have a voltmeter or multimeter you can buy a DVA (direct voltage adapter) for about $40 and test the voltage from the stator. What are your symptoms?<br /><br />Dave..

 

[indicafilms666]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

for what its worth, i had a 40 merc once. it was always tough to start but it ran ok after.<br /><br />then one day no spark.<br /><br /> changed the stator from a junk yard and it fired up like mad. it would, after that, start on a click and it ran stronger<br /><br /><br />a 7.5 is pretty simple. a new stator wouldnt hurt

 

[papafrancisco]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Interesting feedback indicafilms. My '88 60hp Merc just displayed the same symptoms you described. Two weeks ago it was running strong. Today I can't get it to idle. Is a stator like the stationary winding on an ac motor? What can of voltage will the stator put out? Where can I purchase a direct voltage adapter? I reckon I need both a DVA and a spark plug gap tester to check all components. True?

 

[indicafilms666]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

im no expert francisco.i think an easy test is to ohm out your two stator leads, whatever they should be according to the manual<br /><br /><br />on my 115, i was supposed to have 600 ohms but im getting 4 megs. thats why theresno spark.<br /><br /><br />yes its like winding under the flywheel

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

The motor will not start but I do get spark, my mechanic said that the spark was not strong enough. He said the low speed stator coil (which is of push on type) is broken and needs to be replaced. So either i find a stator or a low speed statot coil. Can't a person just make a stator coil from the casing of the old one and some wire from Radio Shack? Please help I need to know if I can fix it myself...can I switch the low speed for the high speed, just to check to see if that is the problem?<br /> <br /> Thank-you in advance for all your help. Just so you know....The Marine Doctor is the guy I went and seen and was told by many that he is a very shady character.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Well, my question to the mechanic would be how can he tell that the "low-speed" coil is bad because the charge coils are in series with each other. No way to tell with a resistance check that one or the other is bad. <br /><br />Quite frankly, I'm not sure that this model really has separate low-and-hi coils. There's just 2 coils, how do you make a distinction between them since they're in series??<br /><br />His thing about the coil being cracked doesn't make a lot of sense either because if I recall correctly the coil is not encapsulated but is merely turns of wire on an open core. Did he pull the flywheel to physically inspect the winding?<br /><br />I'd think that since you have some kind of spark at all, the charge coils and trigger have to be working.<br /><br />In the absense of postitive verification that the stator is bad, I'd say the problem more likely is the switchbox. Very rarely do the other electrical components in an ign system fail just from sitting, however I've seen plenty of 'black boxes' that die in storage due to the long-term effects of heat, vibration, and corrosion. <br /><br />Unfortunately about the only way to check the ign module is to substitute a known good one.<br /><br />One more thing to check, if the stop switch is 'leaking' it may be killing the spark to some degree. You could rule this out by disconnecting the orange wire coming from the stop switch to the ign system.<br /><br />HTH and let us know what the problem turns out to be.........ed

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Hey Ed Mc.,<br /><br /> Well thank-you very much for your information. This is the best news that I have heard for a long time. I am very excited about testing the motor without the kill switch. The only test he did do, (and I was there) was hook up a spark gap checker to see how far he could get the spark to jump. He said it should be able to jump about 1/2 inch and it couldn't. When you hold the spark plug up to ground it would definately spark and he showed me it. I have many friends and family who tell me that over the years they or people they have known have dealt with this mechanic and no one has ever been happy with him. He has been very shady so if anyone out there could add some advice about this motor I would surely be greatful for it. <br /> So could someone tell me, is the stator responsible for the spark or is the coils? Like I said, my motor is a 1973 7.5 H.P. Mercury Outboard. Serial Number 7009691 (This is the Canadian Serial Number). Any replacement parts would surely be helpful. I had a feeling this guy just wanted to make money off me. He said the coils would run $55.00 Cnd and $65.00 Cnd for the low speed and high speed respectively. This did not include the labour that he would charge for install either. I am at wits end and would love to get this motor running. It has been in the family and has not been running for many years. The motor is absolutely mint underneath the flywheel (it has never been removed), I just looked up underneath from the outside. In fact the entire motor looks mint, and ran beautifully until I got it home from Vancouver to Saskatoon.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

If I were you I'd purchase a Seloc manual, invest in a few tools and do the work yourself. The stator, trigger, and coils can all be adequately tested with a meter. You can get a perfectly good digital meter at Sears for around $20 U.S. on sale.<br /><br />The flywheel can be pulled with an automotive harmonic dampener puller, all you need are (3) Grade 8 screws of appropriate length and thread (5/16" NF if i recall).<br /><br />The coils can be easily resistance-checked, and you can remove them to physically check them for cracks. I seriously doubt both coils went bad simultaneously. <br /><br />I've had enough troubles with these to bet that the likely problem is the switchbox. But do check that kill switch, it's always a good place to start and sometimes can be the trouble. <br /><br />Also, there's a lot of Merc parts on eBay and I've seen ign parts for the 7.5 & 9.8 come up quite often. Might be a way to pick up a used stator (if you need it) or whatever.<br /><br />Regarding your 'mechanic' and his diagnosis, I'd stay away from that guy, sounds like all he wants is your money!! Resistance-check the stator and give it a physical inspection for damage, if you find nothing wrong call it good. No Rocket Science on that part, fer sur, eh!!<br /><br />G'luck.........ed

 

[bobrock]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

ummm ... hello??? if it cant jump a 1/2 gap what makes you think your engine will run correctly ... your mechanic hit the nail on the head and thats the only answer you wont accept....<br />any experienced mechanic knows the low speed stator is always the first to go

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Hey Ed Mc.,<br /><br /> Thank-you for the information on tools. I have been wondering about what to buy to pull off the flywheel and you saved me alot of time and effort. I did not want to have to buy some specialized tool for pulling off the flywheel and Canadian Tire sells a harmonic balancer puller for $19.99. So I will pick that up tomorrow and see if that does the trick. Also I have a digital multimeter but do not have a manual for the motor. I know that my library carries one and will photocopy all the necessary information that I require for it. I agree with you that there is just tape covering the windings on the coil. I will try and rig up something from Radioshack to see if I can rebuild one for nesxt to nothing. I don't feel like spending a ton of money on this motor but if I have to....I really like it, and so I will. <br /> Hopefully the manual will be able to tell me how to check the switchbox. I only hope that bobrock is right in stating what he did. If it is true, I should be able to get the specialized wire and recoil the coil myself. I will check the ohm reading on the existing coil and match it to the manual. will check back with you guys tomorrow or the next day. Thanks for all your help...

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

I have searched Radioshack website and found out they have the wire to recoil your own coils. I will see how it is done and get back to you guys shortly.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Okay, I checked the kill switch and it works absolutely perfect. So I guess the problem lies elsewhere. I will keep you up to date on the problem.

 

[Laotzu]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Make sure you have a cap over the end of the drive shaft when you screw down the puller if that's the way a harmonic puller works.. The threads can be damaged very easily.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Here is an update:<br /><br /> I bought a harmonic damper puller from canadian tire for $20.00. I removed the flywheel with it and opened the thunderbolt ignition. I read the values of what the coils should be...high speed: 185 - 205, and low speed: 3950 - 4300. My readings for the coils are high speed 181, and low speed 5001. So the low speed and high speed coils are both shot. I will be replacing them with bought ones. I do not like the fact that the coils are so darn wrapped so tight that I know I could not get those readings if I tried my hardest to wrap them myself. So I guess mercury will be making some sweet dough off me. Like $110.00 for those coils. Man does that **** me off. The low speed coil is shot and so is the high speed coil. Will let you know if this fixed the problem.

 

[robpoe]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

$110 isn't THAT expensive as boats go.<br /><br />a new Merc rectifier (not the aftermarket or rat shack one) is $135 (ish). A distributor cap for my motor is $90 and the rotor is $20.<br /><br />That doesn't count points, wires.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Hello All that are interested....<br /><br /> I have been able to get the new coils for $25 and $35. So I guess the amount is quite a bit cheaper than what I previously estimated. The coils will be ordered on tuesday and then I will install them and let you know of the results.Stay tuned if interested in my problems....LOL !

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

The marine doctor will be ordering my coils for me on tuesday, since monday is a holiday. Stay tuned for more info....

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Do I Need A New Stator?

Coils not in yet, at least I did not get a call. Keep in touch though.