Force 40 1986 Won't start

[thuffam]

My engine has suddenly stopped working. It turns over fine but won't fire at all. Up till now the engine has been running fine (it happened while about 1 mile offshore fishing and decided to come home - a long row it was). Any ideas?<br />Thanks<br />Tim Huffam (thuffam@quicksilver.net.nz)

 

[Fouled Plug]

Re: Force 40 1986 Won't start

Do you have spark?

 

[thuffam]

Re: Force 40 1986 Won't start

I don't think so, based on the fact that it does not fire at all when turning over. I'm a little nervous to try (by taking out a plug and resting it on the head casing) because I sprayed it with CRC/WD40 - and it could ignite? - is there another/safer way to check?

 

[rlouns]

Re: Force 40 1986 Won't start

You can hose the WD off of the engine (even though I do not think it will ignite as I have sprayed it inside the distributor cap to displace water and it never ignited). The best way that I have tested spark (with out the help of fancy tools) is to put a phillips screw driver (that fits snuggly into the plug wire end) and then while some one cranks the engine moved it away and back to the engine to measure the distance the spark jumps (if there is a spark) and to see the color of the spark. You can also use a wire with clips on the ends to attach the screwdriver blade to one end and then use the other end near another ground away from the engine but still grounded to the engine. This will allow you to check the spark with out a helper.<br /><br />I hope this is of some help to you.<br /><br />If you do not get a spark check for broken wires by tugging lightly on each wire. Also check your kill switch (that embarrassed me once).

 

[12Footer]

Re: Force 40 1986 Won't start

That could very much be the problem (ignition)..But before going into that, you need to know for sure it's not fuel-related.<br />You can do this with a simple test. Get an empty spray bottle (fantastic, 409, ect) from the wife, and rinse it out,dry it, and fill it with some mix from your fuel tank.<br />Spray about 4 good squirts directly into the carb's throat. Kick it over. It should sputter or briefly run.<br />If yes, fuel related problem.<br />DO NOT use ether, or "starting fluid".<br /><br />If no, check ignition. These ignition systems are hot hot hot, and can develop arcs as much as 1/2" in air. The problem is, when you test it, you MUST provide a solid connection to ground,to avoid having that hot spark arc INTERNALLY in the coils, CD unit ect, which destroys them.<br />I do this with an old spark plug wire, with small battery clips on both ends.. Remove iether plug. Attach one lead to the plug's thread base,the other to ground. Crank..Observe the spark plug's gap for spark.

 

[ajohnston]

Re: Force 40 1986 Won't start

I sure hope i am wrong, but you could have a bad stator.I would have someone test the stator. If you do not know how. I have a 40hp force and had to replace stator last year, i understand that the new stator will increase in amp and does not cause in problems. I hate to say but the new one i bought set me back around $500.<br />Good luck and i do hope i am wrong.