Re: not enough rpms
Abucs6729.... Regardless of the problem, always follow a standard trouble shooting procedure to eliminate guess work.<br /><br />Compression should be approximately 100+ psi and even on all cylinders... What was it? With the s/plugs removed, check the spark. It should jump a 7/16" gap on that engine with a strong blue flame on all cylinders. Did you get that response?<br /><br />Spark plugs can tell a big story. When running as it (the engine) should, the s/plug electrodes should all look exactly the same. Do they?<br /><br />There is a shift cutout (relief) switch located at the shift linkage on the lower starboard (right) side of the engine (Follow the shift cable to find it). The purpose of thisa switch is to momentarily interrupt the ignition on the starboard side in order to get the engine out of gear smoothly.<br /><br />This switch has been known to malfunction at times, especially if the shift "L" lever that goes through the retaining holes has a build up of salt around the nylon bushings. This switch is easy to check out as follows.<br /><br />There are two wires connected to that switch. Trace where those wires lead to. One will go to ground. The other will lead to a rubber connecter which leads to the powerpack. Disconnect that rubber plug. This effectively eliminates the cutout switch. If the problem is now non-existent, cleaning the salt out (if salt exists) of the nylon bushings may cure your problem. You may need to replace the switch... that remains to be seen.<br /><br />When you encounter the problem, and the engine later on pulls itself together and runs fine... does that increase in power to normal come in slowly and gradually, or is it a very sudden and quick increase in power, such as turning on a switch?<br /><br />Let us know what you find.
