I promised Id report back. Unfortunately, I reporting back even more frustrated than ever.
After diagnosing a bad coil last week, I ordered a new coil. paid the $57 to AK (OUCH) and installed the coil this morning.
The outboard seemed to run fine at idle. sounded a little smoother than normal (maybe). But as soon as idled out of the harbor and tried to get er up on step it was like there was no throttle past 1500 rpms. I went back to neutral and tried again. now it got up on step but then dropped rpms again, then surged. then dropped. ...generally ran like CRAP, worse than it ever has. I got back to the dock, popped the cowl, and started peeking around. I thought I heard hissing sound I haven't noticed before but could be my imagination.
Then, while still in neutral, I throttled up. All of a sudden I noticed a small wisp of smoke (oh shi!t!). then a small FLAME! I immediately shut er down! Looks like the thick bundle of wires that run between the CDI and the injectors (via behind the VST and across the LP pumps) started to melt. Ill post a crappy pic.
ARRRGGG!!!
I assume there must have been a short in one of those wires. it was lightly raining when the cowl was off. could that have started the arc/heat/fire?
Could this have been why the injectors were running rich to begin with? Could the CDI be bad? How do I test the CDI? I cant find this wire bundle anywhere online. Does anyone know if I can order a replacement?
one other thought. This weekend (while waiting for parts and taking advantage of nice WX) I spritzed the outboard down with Boeing T-9. Perhaps a wire was arcing and ignited the T9?
also...the small flame seemed to extinguish itself as soon as key was shut off.
OMG this is Killing me!
Thanks for any and all help!