I have an Evenrude 55hp with a weak spark and wont run. It is a 1978 model. Would anyone have any ideas?

Question

I have an Evenrude 55hp with a weak spark and wont run. It is a 1978 model. Would anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

Hay, If it is not the spark plugs you may have problems with the contact points or perhaps condensers. you should get yourself a shop Manuel to help guide you thru the diagnostic process. good luck;)

Answer 2

Any authorized Johnson/Evinrude dealer can get parts very easily since they are now owned by Bombardier.

Coils are the very last thing you should check, they RARELY go bad.  Take it to a dealer to have checked out.  In my experience 99% of owners spend tons more money trying to fix their own outboard than they would have spent taking it to a dealer.

This is mainly because owners assume something is bad.  The most common mistake is replacing good coils.  As I said coils RARELY go bad.

If you must check it out yourself start by checking the output from under the flywheel and work your way down to the spark plugs.

Answer 3

Not only is the Power pack bad but when the power pack goes bad it generaly takes the coil with it, I just went through this about 2 month,s ago, I sold the boat so I wouldnt be tempted to sink more money into it. I had replaced the wire harness New, and also the power pack, I still have the old one and also a Repair Manual for this motor, Basicly is is a Boat Ancor but dont use a good rope so if you loose it you wont loose anything.

Answer 4

Bad coils - look at the covering, if it is all cracked then they are no good.

Answer 5

plugs, wires, coils, power pack check in that order, have you done a spark check?

Answer 6

To be honest.....OMC filed bankruptcy in the 90's and getting parts for an engine that old could be difficult. Suprizing at it may be...NAPA may be able to help you once you determine the problem. NAPA has a marine catalog and it has many of the ignition parts your engine will require. Get yourself a shop manual and test the components of your ignition system. The spark plugs should be cheap enough to just replace. Check your plug wires with a meter, and then go to the different components of the ignition system.

Answer 7

what do you consider weak?  if the spark will jump a 1/4 inch gap it is strong enough(use a spark checker with a movable gap) you can make one with some wire a couple nails and a alligator clip, on a small board.  if the spark is weak or very yellow/orange the charge coil is probably weak(under flywheel). you need a peak reading voltmeter to check this. this engine has the standard cd II system used on many of OMC's engines and is very reliable!  there should be a black/yellow wire going to the power pack, if you disconnect this you will seperate the killswitch/stop circuit in the harness as well as the ign switch. this will rule out wireing harness. if you are unable to check this for yourself any reputable dealer should be able to diagnose this system in less than 5 mins. that is cheaper than replaceing parts on a guess! do you have the correct spark plugs? omc had a service bulliten out around that time. even if your manual or the little sticker on the plug wires says different use champion L77JC4 plugs. many people are still using the surface gap type. by the way omc did not file bankruptcy and go out of buisness, they were the victims of a takeover then sold off(public record) bombardier will do a fine job of moving johnson/evinrude into the future, and parts are still available!!

I even have many good(verified good) used ign. parts for this motor and ign. system(cdII)   an old instructor I once had loved to say  "there are three kinds of parts in this buisness"

a. new ones

b. old ones

c. those that work

and the first two dont count!