Reply To: no fire on top cyl 4hp 1971 evinrude

[JOHN HOLBIK]

I had a problem same as you years ago.A good friend was taking a small engines course at the college.I gave John several motors from our resort.When I got them back all were good except for a 20hp Johnson no spark on one cy;inder.John had changed all the magneto parts even the mag plate as it was really worn.I must have tore that flywheel off a hundred times .I finaly found the problem by fluke. I reached down and picked up the flywheel with my right hand and I had my fingers curled on the magnet I felt a small bump under my finger .Stuck to the magnet was one of the tiny points washers .I put the flywheel back on and she purred like a kitten.One coil must have had enough clearance to let the washer pass by.
So I learned something that day look for the obvious easy stuff first I still automaticaly look too far into the picture.
I guess I should practice what I preach.