Spark in no spark out of distributor

[MoombaSouthAfrica]

Hi All

Firstly its my first post so learning as I go and apologies if I mess up a few of the rules along the way. I have a problem with my 2006 Mobius LSV, I had just upgraded the ballasts to 750lbs in both rear lockers and took it out for a test, no problems so we loaded up with some mates and hit the lake for a wakeboard session. It ran very well until about midway into the session when the engine just spluttered and died. I have had my fair share of vapour lock issues so tried the usual water on pump story but it just wouldn't restart. I have tried numerous things all learned from these forums but I just cannot get it to start again. Also I am in South Africa so there are no such things as dealers just some local boat mechanics who I imagine lack the tools and resources to diagnose 100%.

SO here is what I have tried to date: Please bear in mind I am mechanically inept

1. Checked all the usual fuel issues - I cannot get my hands on a pressure tester but there is fuel flowing from the shraeder valve and the fuel pump does prime.
2. I poured fuel into the throttle body but again the engine just cranks but wont start
3. Checked the kill switch - but with it off not even the fuel pump primes so almost sure its not that
4. I checked the spark into the distributor and it is good and quite strong
5. Recently however I checked the spark leaving the distributor towards the plugs and there was nothing. Leading me to believe it is something in the distributor.
6. Removed the distributor cap and the rotor and the arm still turns albeit slowly
7. I tried cleaning the rotor and the points but still no luck
8. I did eventually notice that the plastic rotor was slightly damaged underneath where it connects to the rotor shaft. The little plastic extrusion seems like it has broken off at the top and this leads me to believe that it is not sliding into the grove in the shaft and therefore not turning with the shaft - I have ordered a new rotor but would like to know if what I have described is even possible. I have attached a picture of the underside of the rotor which shows the damage albeit difficult to see.

IMG_1206.jpg

Any advice would be welcome, it kinda feels like I am shooting in the dark here. Has this happened to anyone else as I cant find a similar thread on the forum. Anyways thanks to all for the great forum it has helped me a lot. Hope if this turns out to be my problem I can return the favour

[brain_rinse]

If you had strong spark coming in and nothing going out I'd say you likely found the problem. If not, definitely report back and we will see if we can help.

[mmandley]

The component the wires that are going into the Distributor and plugging into is called a Ignition Control module. I would look at replacing it, its pretty old and tends to fail suddenly without much warning.

[MoombaSouthAfrica]

The component the wires that are going into the Distributor and plugging into is called a Ignition Control module. I would look at replacing it, its pretty old and tends to fail suddenly without much warning.

Am I correct in assuming then that the main spark into the distributor will fail. i.e. No Spark in?

[mmandley]

Am I correct in assuming then that the main spark into the distributor will fail. i.e. No Spark in?

Ok let me look at this a little different.

If you have voltage into the coil and nothing out, the coil is bad. If you are talking that you have spark from the coil going into the distributor cap and nothing coming out then the cap or rotor is bad. The coil wire going into <should be a flat distributor cap> if that is producing spark then you should replace the cap and rotor assembly. Normally they replace these both at the 100hr service interval.

If you replace these and its still not working < not likely> I would look at your coil voltage. I am bettering you cap and rotor are worn out.

[MoombaSouthAfrica]

Ok let me look at this a little different.

If you have voltage into the coil and nothing out, the coil is bad. If you are talking that you have spark from the coil going into the distributor cap and nothing coming out then the cap or rotor is bad. The coil wire going into <should be a flat distributor cap> if that is producing spark then you should replace the cap and rotor assembly. Normally they replace these both at the 100hr service interval.

If you replace these and its still not working < not likely> I would look at your coil voltage. I am bettering you cap and rotor are worn out.

Great thanks for advice that is was i was leaning towards but locating parts down here is proving very difficult. I have managed to track down a rotor but the distributor cap alas not (It is still the older delco distributor - so not the flat one). I have ordered one online (skidim) but no idea how long it may take to ship to this end of the world.

I will replace the rotor this weekend and check and report back but I have a sneaky suspicion it may be the cap. I tried testing with a 9v battery and light at home (Boat is at lake unfortunately and brought the cap and rotor home) and while I could get current through all the points, I could not get any through main central point, but not knowing mechanics too well Im not sure if the carbon pin is not actually connected directly but rather has a gap for the spark to ark from external point to carbon pin on inside of cap?

Will let you know how I come on after this weekend. Again many thanks for the advice