OMC Cobra ESA adjustment way off!!!

[Jakabite]

I have a 87' OMC Cobra outdrive with a chevy 4.3L V6 engine. My control box (trottle) is very loose, it really doesn't lock in the neutral postion, I have no clue what type of control unit I have, I'm looking at a new Morse Control to replace it. The main problem is that the linkage going to the ESA modual setting back on the engine (and possibly the shifting linkage going to the outdrive)is so far off that when you put it in to FWD and increse throttle, the ESA is still grounding the distributer causing real crappy paformance. Well, I tried adjusting the shift linkage and the ESA switch is not on anymore causing intermittently grounding (Its doing its job) but then I have no reverse, the shift cable going to the transom is not engauging. I tried to find a happy medium, but have failed many times. The ESA modual likes to stick in one postion when you trottle up (FWD & REV), you need to jiggle the trottle a bit to get that ESA off the grounding switch. Both springs on the modual are ok, they're still springy, thus leading me thinking that it is a linkage problem from the control unit up front. I had to pull the motor to replace the coupler a while ago, and the linkages are off from what they were before the engine removal. I don't know if this is normal, but the control cable coming from the control box up front and the throttle cable linkage on the other side of the engine have play where the cable actual goes into the plactic housing where the ball and joint is. I belive the shifting cable going to the transom is ok, not much play in it. The play measures around +|- 1/4 to a 1/2 inch. Is this normal? Maybe this needs to be replaced, causing the ESA to not work correctly. If yoy have a Clymer 86'-93' repair manual, flip to page 388; picture 43. See the bottem linkage, that's the one that is playing. on the other hand, I'm thinking that I should just go ahead and get that new Control box due the neutral lock not working. Also what exactly is the overstroke switch used for?? Besides those problems, everything else works great! please help!! Thank you for your time!!!

 

[hondon]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA adjustment way off!!!

Heres the deal. Since this drive was made there have been five lower shift cable upgrades as well as gear changes in the lower.Have any of these changes been made?

 

[Jakabite]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA adjustment way off!!!

No cables have been replaced to my knowledge. Change 23! I took the boat out yesterday and disconnected the ESA moduel plug to see if that was the deal. Funny thing, it was not the ESA! I sat back and though about it, Put it in neutral and reved it up fast and hard, it started to stumble a bit. I put it in FWD and hit it hard, it stumbled even more. Pluged the ESA plug back in and hit it hard in FWD again, Same thing. Plus there is a lot gas fumes coming from the spark erestor, plus when I changed the spark plugs, there were pretty black, all leading me to believe now that it is running way to rich and it's over flooding itself at power up (almost always under a load). A few things I can take a shoot at, one is the same thing happened to my father on his boat (Same engine and outdrive) is the points are warn and or the dwell is off or not working properly. Two, the carborator needs to be adjusted i.e. idel screw, or it needs new floats and a total carb rebuild. Three, possibly Fuel pump might be pumping to much PSI? Let me know what you think? I'll check the distributer and dwell today and I'll let you know what i find.. If there is anything else that you might think is the problem, let me know... Thanx so much, talk to you soon...<br /><br />-JOE

 

[DJ]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA adjustment way off!!!

Joe,<br /><br />You've got to get that engine healthy first. I would do what you decribed.<br /><br />1. New points, condenser, cap and rotor.<br />2. New plug wires. Plugs??<br />3. Rebuild carb.<br />4. Check/reset timing.<br /><br />I WOULD NOT suspect a fuel pump of over pressurizing.

 

[Jakabite]

Re: OMC Cobra ESA adjustment way off!!!

OK,<br /><br />The dwell is fine, points are fine. It has new plugs, wires, cap, roter, and coil. It still some what sputters at idle, but I think that is normal. It doesn't do it as bad as before. It's hard to tell because I need to put a load on it and the only way is to drop it into the water and test. I still believe that its the carb. Where can i get a good rebuild kit that has new floats and everything for cheap on a Rochester 2 barrel? I'm going to put in a real good fuel cleaning system into the tank and run it to see what it does. Let me know... Thanx a lot!!!