New CDI pack, no start, sounds out of time?

[tal]

Figured I'd ask in a new thread since the other one was more about the amphenol connector.

So, basically replaced omc powerpack with new CDI 113-3072 on my 85 120hp johnson. This is the replacement pack it calls for. The engine started immediately with the old pack. I installed a new one for other reasons.

Now the engine will not run at all. It spins for about 3 seconds, pops out exhaust, then motor gets tight and I stop cranking. If I continue to crank it will eventually not pop but just get tight. To me it sounds like a v8 180* out on it's timing.

So what exactly is going on here? Is it possible my timing is that far off with a new pack or is the new pack defective? Here's how it ran before with old pack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiX0X3tdRsA

Please help.

 

[jonesg]

Re: New CDI pack, no start, sounds out of time?

OK I watched the vid, its not running on all cylinders.
Engine should idle around 1000 rpm on muffs.

Start at the beginning.
Do a compression test.
Do a spark test with adjustable tester set to 7/16th inch.


State why you changed powerpack.

Problem is you're all over the place, its hard to follow what you are doing or why. I would reinstall old powerpack but I have no idea why you swapped it out.

 

[tal]

Re: New CDI pack, no start, sounds out of time?

You're right, I am all over the place.

I had the pair of orange wires on the wrong heads. Apparently the long pair of CDI wires don't fit the starboard head (like the original pack). Instead the long pair go to the port side (where the pack is mounted) and the shot side to starboard. This is opposite of the original pack. I had both blue/orange on top coils but I had a solid orange wire. No where in CDI's installation does it state, for a v4 solid orange wire goes to x coil. It just says middle cylinder for orange wire. Tell me, what is the middle cylinder on a v4?

New gas tanks, new carb kits (floats checked several times), new lines, cleaned recirc valves, new vernatherms, new impeller, resealed gearcase (borrowed local mechanic's tools), timing set and verified, sync and link (several times - the carbs are closed at idle out of gear), new fully working powerpack now. Compession is 120-125 on all 4. No VRO, no fuel/air leaks in the fuel system or gaskets around the carb/manifold. I have checked this several times with carb cleaner. Whatever is happening is not on the surface for me to find.

I should mention I have hooked a timing light to each cylinder and there is no misfire. When the engine is doing its slowdown there is no lack of spark on the gun, just slowing of the strobe.

At least now I'm back to where I was with the erratic idle and I have a spare powerpack.

 

[mrcj001]

Re: New CDI pack, no start, sounds out of time?

In the OMC manual its states that if the powerpack was serviced that the WOT timming should be checked.

Bring the #1 piston to TDC and verify this on the flywheel. If it does not line up you will need to move the timing pointer and readjust the timming spark advance.

Better get a manual if you dont have one.

 

[jonesg]

Re: New CDI pack, no start, sounds out of time?

Make sure they sent you the correct powerpack.

 

[tal]

Re: New CDI pack, no start, sounds out of time?

Ok, everything is pretty good now. Ezeke was helping me in another thread I had going that sort of went off track.

I verified WOT timing before I went out sunday - it did not change a bit with the new pack.

To answer the question of why I changed the pack out is because I have been working on this thing on and off for quite some time and the electronics are about the only thing I have left to point fingers at. I did however check the old pack with a peak reading adapter for my meter and it looked good. I decided to replace it anyways and at the very least I'd have a spare.

Back to why I replaced the pack, the video above shows the symptoms of the problem I had. Unfortunately I did not have a video of what happens while on the lake. I usually have to set my idle up so high just to keep it from bumping around and dying while trolling, then when I take it out of gear I have a 1400-1800rpms idle. Believe it or not, it no longer does that with the new pack and I have not changed a thing on the carbs or anywhere else, just the pack.

I had one problem though that seemed fuel related. After running about 6 miles up river and slowing down to just idle in gear it died on me once after about 3 minutes of putting around. Sounded like someone just slowly turned the engine down till it died. In order to get it started back up I had to give it a few squirts of choke then it fired back up. Seems strange to run out of fuel at a slow idle, especially when I unplug the line from the tank to run fuel out it will suck the bubble flat. It runs at WOT for minutes at a time with no starvation issue. What would cause it to run out of fuel while slowing down after running so good at high rpms?

Sorry for the long drama post.