Volvo Penta 39, immaculate but no spark - any 2 stroke experts out there?

[fredrussell]

Firstly, hello to you all, used this forum a lot in past but only just got round to registering.

I have been given an amazingly clean Volvo Penta 39 outboard. If its done 10 hours even I'd be surprised. But, no spark. Plenty of compression so I reckon it'll be the points/CDI or coil playing up. I know you can no longer get parts for these outboards but just wondered if anyone could suggest a plan of action other than bunging it on ebay as spares or repair.

cheers, fred

 

[VicS]

Firstly, hello to you all, used this forum a lot in past but only just got round to registering.

I have been given an amazingly clean Volvo Penta 39 outboard. If its done 10 hours even I'd be surprised. But, no spark. Plenty of compression so I reckon it'll be the points/CDI or coil playing up. I know you can no longer get parts for these outboards but just wondered if anyone could suggest a plan of action other than bunging it on ebay as spares or repair.

cheers, fred

when you say no spark I am assuming no spark from the HT lead, not just no spark on the plug

Check stop button not shorting or stuck (disconnect!)

inspect, clean, reset points (0.3 to 0.4 mm). Points should be scrupulously clean, not so much as a fingerprint.

inspect condition of coil and check primary and secondary for continuity.

condenser?? ( never looked at it but assume it could be replaced with something that will fit)


Owners manual ( in German and English), if you dont have it, on my Photobucket account at http://s50.photobucket.com/user/Vic43/library/V Penta 39 51?sort=3&page=1

 

[fredrussell]

Thanks Vic, a fair few things to check there. I've just bought a boat that came with a nice 8hp Mariner, but don't want to leave that on boat. Figure I could leave the Volvo on there and not worry.

 

[steve66]

I have an industrial coil and condenser tester, happy to test it for you if need be

 

[steve66]

Be careful pulling the flywheel. There is a special flywheel remover for these engines. I have a remover if your stuck

 

[TQA]

Occams razor.

Is there any chance it has a deadmans kill switch?

 

[DownWest]

On the Saving old Seagulls website there is a method to revive sparkless old tech coil & points systems. I used it on my old 40+ successfully.

 

[ronsurf]

I would expect this to be the points, if it's a points type model. Should be able to clean and check the points without removing the flywheel. Otherwise could be the HT lead or plug, which you've presumably changed.

If you have a multimeter, you can use this to check the electrics:
http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/electricalpower/B0271b_u.pdf

 

[cliff]

On the Saving old Seagulls website there is a method to revive sparkless old tech coil & points systems. I used it on my old 40+ successfully.

+1, if it has been sitting for so long not used then the odds are the "magneto" is dead - I know not true magneto ignition but the magnets in the flywheel loose their attraction so to speak - easily fixed.
Other think is blocked jets in the carb - when you try to start it does the plug get wet? - assume you fitted a new plug.

 

[ronsurf]

Other think is blocked jets in the carb - when you try to start it does the plug get wet? - assume you fitted a new plug.

If there's no spark, it won't be due to a blocked jet.

 

[VicS]

Be careful pulling the flywheel. There is a special flywheel remover for these engines. I have a remover if your stuck

This is a photo of the similar VP51. The flywheel puller screws into the threaded hole around the retaining nut. I assume the VP39 is the same in this respect.

 

[steve66]

Hi Vic, Yes thats the one. An adaptor screws into the flywheel then a nut threaded inside the adaptor pushes the flywheel off. Its a genuine Volvo maintenance part.

 

[fredrussell]

Wow - a mass of help there, really appreciate it.

Cliff, its deffo the missing spark, carb is spotless inside and out.

Down west, Will have a look at the saving old seagulls website to see if the methods there will bring mine back to life.

Steve, Many thanks for offer of testers and flywheel removal tool, really kind of you - I'll see if I can make a flywheel remover first - I'm no stranger to making tools for odd jobs!

TQA, No dead man's kill switch, at least none that I can see.

and Ronsurf, excellent link, I do have a multimeter.

 

[fredrussell]

Thanks for putting that pic up VicS, pretty sure thats what mine looks like, will have a go at the weekend.

 

[fredrussell]

Steve66, tried to PM you back today but your inbox is full

cheers
fred

 

[steve66]

Sorry Fred, try again.
Steve

 

[fredrussell]

Just to update the thread, having removed flywheel I test coil and condenser using the Fluke link Ronsurf linked to and both are dead. I'm thinking at this point I'll just admit defeat and sell it on ebay as a dead outboard.

 

[TQA]

Just to update the thread, having removed flywheel I test coil and condenser using the Fluke link Ronsurf linked to and both are dead. I'm thinking at this point I'll just admit defeat and sell it on ebay as a dead outboard.

If you want the satisfaction of seeing if it does run then remember using the original points with a 12 volt coil of something prehistoric like a Mini [original] and matching condenser [steal the one from the Mini] plus a 12 volt battery will produce a spark.

 

[mil1194]

Just to update the thread, having removed flywheel I test coil and condenser using the Fluke link Ronsurf linked to and both are dead. I'm thinking at this point I'll just admit defeat and sell it on ebay as a dead outboard.

Remember to place it in the for sale section with a link to ebay

 

[steve66]

As an engineer have you thought of machining a cdi coil off a lawnmower to fit the stator plate and do away with the coil and points. I have a coil you can have
Steve