please shoot me

[speed5]

Hello, I have a '91 115 V-4 Evanrude outboard engine.Upon recently replacing the powerhead I tried starting the motor and had no luck kicking it over. Out of curiosity I switched the spark plug wires so plug #1 uses plug #3 wire and # 3 uses # 1's wire and so forth for 2 and 4 also. The motor kicked over instantly. But... ran backwards - counter clockwise. I have fuel spark and compression but it wont' run in the right direction - clockwise. Since everything is plugged connectors, is there any way that maybe a wire is shorted or reversed? Thank you for your help. (just one bullet will do )

 

[CATransplant]

Re: please shoot me

Major wierdness. I have no idea. Someone will have the answer. I guess you could put a counterrotating prop on it, but that's not a real solution.<br /><br />Wait one. The starter must be turning the wrong way, too. Check your battery cables, both at the battery and at the solenoid.<br /><br />Those are two places where a reverse connection could be made.<br /><br />If so, switch the plug wires back to normal.<br /><br />Betcha that's it.<br /><br />The only other possibility is a battery that was completely discharged, then charged in reverse. It's actually possible. To check, substitute another battery and try that.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: please shoot me

I don't mean to insult you with the obvious question, but are you sure the battery cables are not reversed.<br /><br />EDIT: CAT you beat me to it.

 

[Todd Humphreys]

Re: please shoot me

If it did run counter clockwise, your impeller(water pump) might be in bad shape. Check it out before any other damage is done!!

 

[jfm1]

Re: please shoot me

can you really make a gas engine run backwards by switching bat. cables ?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: please shoot me

No, reverse polarity of the battery cables won't cause that condition.... but it'll certainly destroy the rectifier.<br /><br />You need a service manual which will explain exactly which wires go where.<br /><br />If the orange wires leading from the powerpack are orange/blue, orange/green, orange/purple/ and orange/pink, they should be as follows:<br /><br />Cyl 1 = Orange/Blue - - - Cyl 2 = Orange/Purple - - - Cyl 3 = Orange/Green - - - Cyl 4 = Orange/Pink<br /><br />Standing in back of the engine, facing the cylinders:<br /><br />2...1<br /><br />4...3

 

[Mark42]

Re: please shoot me

What makes you think it's running backwards? Isn't it hard to make a 2 cycle run backwards when the starter spins it forwards? I know 2 cycles can run either direction. But the starter usually dictates which direction it will run.

 

[G DANE]

Re: please shoot me

Well the starter will not function backwards, as the bendix drive will only pop up when its spinning the right direction. If the ignition is hooked up in a way that advance if proper for running backwards, chance is that it starts that way, even if its rotated right. Like when you switch off a car that has glow ignition from carbon build up, and it reverses and starts limping backwards. Check wires as Joe says, I'd put my money on him. Dont try reversing battery cables if they are right, you'l ruin rectifier.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: please shoot me

Are you concluding that it's running backwards from the flywheel rotation?<br /><br />Or are you concluding this from the prop rotation?<br /><br />You don't say whether you're getting these results in a barrel, on muffs or actually on the water.<br /><br />If it's on the water, then it's time for a raw link and sync job!

 

[speed5]

Re: please shoot me

thank you for all the help when i crank the motor it spins in a clockwise direction and does not kick over if i switch the coil wires [on a hunch] if fires over but spins counter clockwise the starter spins the moto clockwise then it burps to counterclockwise and runs fine but the water punp does not work . plus the battery cables are in the right spot and i charged the batterys the right way

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: please shoot me

Pre-ignition could cause this. And pre-ignition itself is often the result of timing too far advanced.<br /><br />That would certainly explain your 'kick' when the motor fires up and then spins backwards.<br /><br />You say you've just replaced the powerhead and this is now happening. Re-check your timing, using the manual.

 

[speed5]

Re: please shoot me

just fiqured it out on a hunch i pulled the flywheel off and it had severed the keystone so the timming was about 40 degrees off put a new one in and fired over instally and has ran since thank you all for your help thats why this is such a awsome site have a great season

 

[djzyla1980]

Re: please shoot me

Just curious then...reading this post I have a 1970 115 that will only backfire if the advance is able move freely. But if I disconnect it and push it back a bit (1") and tie it there it runs fine with advance not moving. From idle to about 1/2 throttle.... haven't gone past that. Theres a new power pack, wires etc. I checked the key and it needed replacement but still no change. Want to get this fixed before going on water. I had a dino (merc) before this one that was direct drive ... talk about a pain Ran Both ways.. Glad it's gone

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: please shoot me

Keep in mind..... When installing a flywheel, the nut MUST be torqued to factory sprcifications. Anything less will most definitely result in a sheared flywheel key and damaged crankshaft/flywheel tapers.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: please shoot me

Just a sidenote: as JB recently pointed out to me a starter will spin the same direction even if hooked up backwards due to it being a series wound motor. It had never occured to me before.