Hi. I had a problem with the esa on my 1988 2.3l omc and I got it corrected with your help by adusting the shift cable. I decided to go ahead and do a tune up since it had been a few years, even though the engine was running fine. I changed the points, plug, condenser, and coil. (Coil because it had a stripped nut and I couldn't get the negative wires tightened) I took the boat out for a weeks vacation and it ran great for 2 or 3 days, then started missing badly. My first thought was the points had slipped and I could move them with a screwdriver, so I reset the gap but still had the same problem. Then I thought maybe the timing belt had slipped, but after checking it, it is fine. I have also set the dwell with a timing light but still...runs very rough. The plugs appear to have been fouled and my neighbor,( an auto service manager) said he distrusts champion plugs as they tend not to dry out after having been fouled. So, the big question is...ignition or carburation? I put a kit in the carburator about 4 years ago, but i don't see why it would suddenly start acting up unless something got in the gas. ( The problem first occured after running the boat about 30 minutes after a fill up) <br /><br />I plan on trying to hook up a different gas tank tomorrow, but if that doesn't work, what would be your next suggestion? Should I replace the points/condenser again? Try different plugs? Go for a carburator kit? Is there any way to check the output from a spark plug wire to see if it's hot enough? If I change the wires, can I use auto plug wires? Sorry for all the questions!<br /><br />By the way, I tried putting the old coil back in but no change. Unfortunately the old points got thrown away. Advice very much appreciated!
