Posted: 6/19/2010 2:47:16 PM EDT
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I've got a 1995 Statos 268 powered by a 90HP Jonson JTLEO engine. After fishing all day, I went to start it up to go home and it wouldn't turn over. No biggie as it can be a little finicky from time to time. I kept trying to get it stated, pumping fuel in, choking it, everything I could think of for probably 30 minutes. I pulled the cover off the engine to take a look and noticed that one of the spark plug wires had come out of the spark plug boot. I tried to push it back in, put the cover back on the engine, and it started up after a few tries.
However, when I went to plane out and go home, I couldn't get the engine over ~2800 RPMs and it wouldn't get on plane. It also ran fairly rough. I limped home and went and grabbed some dinner, then went to work to try and figure out the isuse. I pushed the spark plug wire all the way back into the boot, hooked it up to the hose, and it seemed to run fine again. I had no problem revving it all the way up to 5000 RPMs. My question is, is there any reason it would hit 5000 RPMs without an problem on the hose, but not in the water if I fixed the issue? Is there anything else this could be other then the disconnected spark plug wire? Should I change out the spark plugs - they are about a year old. Thanks for any advice you guys can provide Think its safe to take it out tomorrow? 
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I would buy a new set up plug wires( and plugs while your at it). sounds like that wire is just working itself loose while the engine is running. running on 3 cylinders you lose alot of power, plus TRYing to start the engine with the one plug wire off can foul the plug pretty quick.
you could try just crimping the metal clip inside of the boot more so it grips the plug better , but i would just change them if they havent been for a couple of years. |
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You shouldn't rev the motor with no load on it. Load is also the reason it will turn 5000 rpm's out of the water. The propeller in the water is one hell of a load so running it out of the water is not a good test of engine performance. I agree to check and repair the spark plug wires. Make sure the plugs aren't fouled also. Being down a cylinder will cause the problems you describe as far as only turning 2800 rpm's.
On a side note. The hose and flushette will not provide adequate cooling water at higher rpm's. They were meant for flushing salt water and low rpm testing. |