Flames out lower unit 77 Johnson 115

[whitejamie99]

After rebuilding the water pump on my 77 Johnson 115 (115ETL77), I made an attempt to start the engine with the muffs attached. It cranked well and would pop once and then starter disengaged. My son was on fire watch and noticed a blue flame in the lower unit when it popped. We tried it several more times and still wouldn't fire. Getting good spark on # 1 and # 3 (didn't check the others - got late). I will try the troublehoot list from the FAQ.<br /><br />Had to remove the lower carb to get at the shift rod during the repair and the shifter mech was very stiff after the reinstall. How do I adjust and troubleshoot this item?<br /><br />My last question is - did this flame damage anything or is this normal since its trying to start. I dont want to tear down the lower unit again if this is a normal circumstance but I dont want to destroy the lower unit either.<br /><br />HELP!<br /><br />Jamie White

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Flames out lower unit 77 Johnson 115

Good for you for having a fire watch. The flame out of the lower unit was doubtless coming from the exhaust, and probably didn't do any damage.<br /><br />That is a symptom, though, and is worth exploring, especially since your motor didn't start but just popped and shot a flame out of the exhaust.<br /><br />Did you change plugs recently or do any other work on the engine? This sounds suspiciously like a couple of switched plug wires. I see you checked spark on one side. Is it possible that you had switched two plug wires? I've sure done it, and that will cause a misfire, which can cause the blue flame out of the exhaust when the plug fires while the exhaust port is open.<br /><br />Betcha that's the problem, but don't worry about the flame damaging anything.

 

[Straightup]

Re: Flames out lower unit 77 Johnson 115

I'll be changing the impeller on my '84 70 shortly. Interested to hear how you come out. <br /><br />Jeff

 

[whitejamie99]

Re: Flames out lower unit 77 Johnson 115

I may have # 1 and # 3 crossed. My understanding of the cylinder #'s is like this:<br /><br />Port top 2 Starboard top 1<br /><br />Port bottom 4 Starboard bottom 3<br /><br />If this is correct - then its just a matter of making sure of the coil #'s on the top of the heads. This is how I think the coils are #'d.<br /><br />port left = 4<br />port right = 2<br />starboard left = 3<br />starboard right = 1<br /><br />I did try swapping the # 3 and the # 1 and it didnt start and didnt pop - just cranked.<br /><br />How can I verify the above

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Flames out lower unit 77 Johnson 115

Check your manual to make sure. I don't have that model motor, so I can't tell you. The symptoms, however, sound like switched wires. It could be other things, though. That's where I'd start.

 

[McGR]

Re: Flames out lower unit 77 Johnson 115

Here's the cylinder arrangement:<br /><br />Port Top: 2<br />Port Bottom: 4<br /><br />Starboard Top: 1<br />Starboard Bottom: 3<br /><br />Here's the coil order port to starboard:<br />4,2,1,3 (P Bottom, P Top, S Top, S Bottom)<br /><br />I hope this helps.