Power Pack Problem?

[Overnighter20]

I had a noticable miss in a 1983 Johnson 200hp v6 I recently bought, so I just replaced all 6 ignition coils, as well as new plugs, and fired her up. It is better, but still has a miss, so I proceeded to pull one plug wire at a time and see if I could find a cyclinder that maybe was not firing. Turns out, #5 cylinder makes no difference in running with or without the plug wire on. I ran out of daylight, but my plan is to move the coil to another cylinder and see if the problem moves with it when I get a chance. Is this the best way to test the coil?
Also, I have read that the power pack could be the culprit of misfiring on 1 cylinder on a v6, and that it's always better to replace both power packs at the same time. Is this true? If so, why both?

Any ideas, or better testing info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Frank

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

You could do an ohm reading of the coils and compare with spec. Did you replace the spark plug wires? Use a test light on the two small wires that run to the coil. Back probe at the connectors. One will have 12V when running and the other will flash the test light on and off. If the test light is flashing ignition module is controlling the coil but may not be timed right.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

Unlikely you have a coil problem. They don't fail that often. That engine has two power packs on it, one for each head. Best to swap the two of them and see if the bad spark is still on #5. If it moves to the other side, #6, then you should replace that pack. You do not need to replace them in pairs. The original factory packs on that engine were 582138, which was an unlimited pack. Those packs are NLA. All factory replacments come with an rpm limiter which will limit rpm's to 5800. That's a step backward for that high port engine, as it will easily run to 6000 if propped correctly. If you still have a miss on #5, after swapping the packs, I'd be looking at the timer base.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

I would spray pre-mix first into # 5 cylinder, That carb may not be drawing fuel at idle. I would not relace both pack's, remember! those pack's have a blocking diaode, the bad pack will effect the good one. You have made no mention of test on the ignition sensores' You should have the proper manual, and test tool's, instead of just changing part's. What's the compression before we spend any more money?

 

[Overnighter20]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

Thanks for the replies fellas. The compression checks 115-120 all around, so I feel pretty good about that. The engine starts very easy, and takes gas well on the muffs. I have not had this boat in the water yet, just got it in August and am restoring it, so no test have been done with a load. It was missing worse, the coil replacement did help considerably. or the new plugs, who knows which. But like I said, it still has that miss, and when I pull the #5 plug I can't distinguish a difference in the idle. I will switch the power packs and try it, to see if it moves with the pack to the port side and see what I get. Also the rpms at idol are not consistent, in other words, at idle, no throttle, the motor speeds up and slows down randomly. If I give it alittle gas (I don't rev it very high on the muff), it takes the gas without hesitation, but when I pull back to idle it takes a few seconds to slow back down to idle. Is this normal? Sorry for all the questions, This is only my second outboard motor, ever, and the first I had 15 years ago.

 

[Overnighter20]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

I would spray pre-mix first into # 5 cylinder, That carb may not be drawing fuel at idle. I would not relace both pack's, remember! those pack's have a blocking diaode, the bad pack will effect the good one. You have made no mention of test on the ignition sensores' You should have the proper manual, and test tool's, instead of just changing part's. What's the compression before we spend any more money?

I just recently purchased the Seloc manual for this motor, but I'm not all that impressed with it, too general. I'm not sure what you mean by "ignition sensors"? The only test tools I have right now is a volt/ohm meter. I did see a test in the manual for checking to see if the diode is open/closed, I'll try that soon as I can. Thanks

Frank

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

The sensor's take the place of point's. They most certainly effect the ignition output. There is a ohm's test for the sensor's, but a much for reliable test is a running test with a peak reading volt meter. A OMC manual discribe's all of these test's in detail. I have never used a Seloc, so I don't know. On a engine of this size, a proper manual is well worth the cost. Without one you will just become lost, spend a lot of money needlessly, if not damage the engine.

 

[Overnighter20]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

Thanks for the info, I'll look around and see if I can find a better manual.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

I like to put a timing light on each plugwire when the engine is running and warmed up. You can see in the flashes the condition of all 6 plugwires. It is exp good to show misfires or nofires. I'd contact Ken Cook Co, in Milwaukee for an original manual. You can call him or contact them on the web-they are the original publisher.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

I would like to know how low the voltage can go, and still fire a timing light? I have never trusted a light to test a weak ignition.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Power Pack Problem?

Get the genuine service book here,
www.outboardbooks.com
Approx $48.

Go to the auto part store and get a spark GAP tester, approx $10.
Set the spark gap to 7/16th inch per the manual, if it don't jump the gap something is weak, check coil grounds for dirt then proceed to meter tests by the book. Or just make your own gap tester with a block of wood and 2 nails. I like the tester, its a neat widget to have.

Get a marine peak reading meter off ebay $75.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mari...tZMotors_Automotive_Tools?hash=item35a473afc8

"my plan is to move the coil to another cylinder and see if the problem moves with it when I get a chance. Is this the best way to test the coil?"

yep, thats ok for troubleshooting but you still need the book and tools.