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1972 Evinrude 18HP Having Some Trouble Getting her Going

W

Wakobu

New member
Just looking for some advice. I cleaned the carb, checked compression and spark. The carb is getting fuel and is confirmed working as it should. The motor still will not start after trying a bunch of different things. I am struggling what to check now. I tried putting some fuel directly into the cylinders and it still didn't fire up. What's weird is after doing it the plugs still don't look wet at all. They look dry either way I do it. What would be another good test for me to do? I can blow air through the carb when the needle is down and when it's up it's blocked so I'm fairly confident the carb is at least working as it should. I have messed with the idle setting as well but I can't get any feedback. The spark plugs is what I am going to swap out next I think because I am concerned they are weak. Just wondering if anyone else has some insight or another test I can do to narrow down what the issue is.
 
I say you do not have spark !----So does spark jump a gap of 5/16" ( 8 mm ) on a test device , yes or no?----Have you pulled the flywheel to check the coils ?
 
Hey race! Thanks for the response. Yeah they light up but that is what I am unsure of. I don't have that kind of tester I don't think. I haven't checked the flywheel yet. Would you advise buying new spark plugs or checking the coils next?
 
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Save your Money for now.-----Sparkplugs do not generate the voltage to jump a gap.----Pull the flywheel and look at coils / points / condensers.
 
Get the open air tester and use it in low light if possible. Pull both plugs for the test for easier turnover. Use your drill to spin flywheel. Spark or no?
Also: remember which cylinder the wire with the tag goes to.
 
My wildest guess is the plastic post is missing from threaded hole to the lower right.-----Prevents starting the motor with too much throttle applied.
 
Thanks race. As long as it's not preventing me from starting. Found out both coils are bad after testing them. Will probably be replacing those and the condensers just to be sure. Looks like I'll have to adjust the timing as well. Anything else I am missing while I have the flywheel off?
 
Those coils are newer replacements.----Do not throw them away just yet.----How did you test the coils?----How did you determine 2 coils to be bad ??
 
Idk they look pretty worn. I tested ohms first from ground to back of both spark plugs. No reading on the top cylinder and I believe it was 4.5k ohms on the bottom cylinder. I then unscrewed the leads of both coils* and tested ohms between both wires and got no readings for either. I also tested from coil lead to end of spark plugs. I was just following a YouTube video on vintage mikes outboard.
 
Build a cheap air gap tester, like this. For now, clean points & gap at .020. Replace flywheel & see if you have spark.
 

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Vintage mike has some overpriced parts and kits listed,----But that is my opinion.----Those coils look good to me.-----Hard to believe you have 2 bad coils in this elegantly simple magneto!
 
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