A word about changing spark plugs in your outboard....

[tjm]

13 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

CYLINDER DROP test

I'd consider that as a "spark-plug test".

[fishinwrench]

5 minutes ago, tjm said:

I'd consider that as a "spark-plug test".

You'd get fired if you worked for ME then.  😉 

Actually I probably wouldn't fire ya.... but I'd certainly reduce your pay. 😅 And tell you to grab a broom.  

[fishinwrench]

6 hours ago, MrGiggles said:

I've had several vehicles come in with misfires, hard starting, in general running like crap. Pull the plugs and you could just about pass a pencil through the gap,

Things like that get caught right away here.     The first step to troubleshooting any running problems with an outboard is always a COMPRESSION TEST ......Which requires removing the spark plugs and visually inspecting them.   

A visual inspection of the spark plugs gives clues to potential issues.....even issues totally unrelated to the spark plug itself.   That's why it is annoying to me, and just costs the customer more, when the first thing people do when their motor isn't running right, is to CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS 🙄  

[tjm]

The other five cylinders firing pretty much eliminate other ignition and fuel faults, don't they?   and you've already done compression first thing.  And don't worry about firing me, I wouldn't do engine work for anyone but myself and these days don't do much even for me. But, in cars, trucks, lawn mowers, chainsaws and tractors a bad spark plug has been the problem more often than any single other  thing. Even had brand new plugs that didn't work and plugs that looked good that wouldn't fire. I'm not suggesting that the plug is always the fault. but I'd eliminate that before opting to replace the ECM.

[fishinwrench]

3 minutes ago, tjm said:

The other five cylinders firing pretty much eliminate other ignition and fuel faults, don't they?

Absolutely not.   

[tjm]

10 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

That's why it is annoying to me, and just costs the customer more, when the first thing people do when their motor isn't running right, is to CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS

I'll agree with that. If you intend to hire a professional, do that first rather than jack stuff up.

[fishinwrench]

Tech time is over.   

Time to get back to fishing talk.....or something unrelated to WORK !  😁

[bfishn]

From my experience running a shop (20+ years ago), Japanese ECM failure was near zero, while Merc (and OMC to a lesser degree) electronic components were the bread and butter of the service department. Merc's reputation improved shortly after when they deployed Japanese ECMs in their outsourced models.

[fishinwrench]

2 minutes ago, bfishn said:

From my experience running a shop (20+ years ago), Japanese ECM failure was near zero, while Merc (and OMC to a lesser degree) electronic components were the bread and butter of the service department. Merc's reputation improved shortly after when they deployed Japanese ECMs in their outsourced models.

Where they screwed up IMO is when they put relays inside the ECMs.    

Jesus Christ, relays fail all the friggin time!  🙄 

It would have been a breeze to wire all of the relays OUTSIDE the ECM so they could be tested/replaced separately. 

 20.00....Poof.....FIXED !   

[bfishn]

1 minute ago, fishinwrench said:

Where they screwed up IMO is when they put relays inside the ECMs.    

Jesus Christ, relays fail all the friggin time!  🙄 

It would have been a breeze to wire all of the relays OUTSIDE the ECM so they could be tested/replaced separately. 

 20.00....Poof.....FIXED !   

Yeah, potting a circuit in a box is great for vibe & enviro concerns, just don't include mechanical switches.