Timing 140 v4 looper

[mbecke2]

1988 johnson
Checked timing today with timing light at idle in the water. Marked flywheel at TDC for each cyl. When I pointed light at flywheel for cyl 1 I could see the mark for cyl 1 and 3. Same thing when I hooked the light up to cyl 2 I could see mark for 2 and 4. Seems like double fire, or maybe my timing light is not good enough to pick up each cyl seperately. Anyway the timing is not perfect. It has a miss at idle and the mark for each cylinder jumps over 5 degrees or so using the light. I read somewhere that this seems like pwr pack problem. Thing is I replaced ppack, stator, timer base, coils, and plugs. I wonder if I have faulty ignition components. I am about to get a DVA or peak reading meter and check voltage on coils, ppack, tbase, stator. Going crazy trying to diagnose this motor.

 

[James R]

Re: Timing 140 v4 looper

The miss can cause a surge in RPM that will show as an unstable timing flash.
With all the work that you have done on the ignition, although you could have an issue there, like a bad coil, bad wires, a bad plug, or even a bad pack, have you serviced the carbs lately?

 

[boobie]

Re: Timing 140 v4 looper

I'd try a different timing lite first.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Timing 140 v4 looper

Was the timer base new or used? If the timing lite was not picking up a false signal off primary wire to other cylinder highly likely the timer base is bad though have seen some packs do it.. Usually if a base is bad you would see a pattern kinda like below,really random... not a 1-3-1-3-1-3 as this is lite picking up other cylinder.
1-1-3-1-3-1-1-1-3-3-1

 

[boobie]

Re: Timing 140 v4 looper

If you tried another timing lite and still getting the double fire I'd say you have a bad power pack

 

[mbecke2]

Re: Timing 140 v4 looper

I used an automotive timing light so not sure if it was working correct because it is for four stroke. I gave up on the motor and brought to mechanic. I think it is carb issue. Maybe i just need new carbs because they didn't appear to be mounting nice and flush against the throttle plate. And i think air was getting in, but what the he'll do I know!! Mechanic has not called yet. He said 80 bucs for diagnosis so we will see what happens.