No spark on a 1976 Johnson 85 V4

[new2boating]

We just bought the boat and were out when the engine blew the headgaskets. Replaced them but now have no spark. I have read on this site for a week and not seeing anything that has helped. The black and yellow wire that goes into the power pak, what should that read on a volt meter? The motor got us back to the dock and was still able to start when I pulled it out. COuld a power pack just quit like that? I did melt some of the sheilding on the wires that run on the top of the head, but I cannot find anywhere that it burned thru. Thanks for any help!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: No spark on a 1976 Johnson 85 V4

That black, and yellow wire is the kill wire to the pak. There should be absolutlely no voltage there. If you blew the head gasket's, and melted wiring. Take a look at the piston's, and cylinder wall's first. The ignition could be the least of your problem's

 

[new2boating]

Re: No spark on a 1976 Johnson 85 V4

The pistons are fine, but there is a little scorching on 3 cylinder walls. I decided to just try the headgaskets and i have pretty even compression at 105 105 107 110. The best compression is not the good cylinder wall either. Thanks for the info on the wire.

 

[ezeke]

Re: No spark on a 1976 Johnson 85 V4

With all plugs out, disconnect the black and yellow kill wire at the power pack and see if you have spark.

Did you have 50:1 mix in your tank? Was your water pump bad?

Any voltage at all applied to the kill wire can destroy the power pack, so be careful.

 

[new2boating]

Re: No spark on a 1976 Johnson 85 V4

I did pull the black and yellow wire and had no spark. I did not pull the spark plugs tho. Would that make a difference?
I was mixing 50:1. I am not sure if the water pump caused this or not. Is there a way to check it without the engine running? It ran after the head gaskets went. We were quite aways away from the dock. It got us home, and was still able to start. when i pulled it out. Then next day is when I pulled the heads. Now no spark.
Thank you for all your help on this!

 

[new2boating]

Re: No spark on a 1976 Johnson 85 V4

Kind of a change of subject on this, but just found a 78 Johnson 115 with no controls. Would my controls work on this?