Author Topic: Goldie Not Starting (I wonder....) (Read 19215 times)

dorelse · « **on:** August 20, 2013, 10:51:34 PM »

Where this wire was hooked up to...and if its why the boat won't start!? Is it possible I have a broken ground (looks like the wiring loom broke loose) and could have snapped this wire....BUT...I didn't run any splices like that and tried to remove any and all spliced wires, so I have to keep looking as I don't see its other half...could my detent switch be always on right now? I wonder...

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2013, 06:33:32 AM »

I doubt it's anything important, it was probably an accessory ground. If there was anything on the engine that needed a ground the engine block itself would be the ground.

Terry_Curran · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2013, 06:50:21 AM »

We were getting power to the distributor before, during and after cranking, I don't think power is an issue.

Terry

Rosscoe · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2013, 07:06:33 AM »

And it definitely looks to have been cut. For your own peace of mind, you could just follow it to its origin. If you don't have a mating end anywhere, then you know its nothing.

dorelse · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:03:39 AM »

Well...dang...for a sec I had hope...but I figured that was nothing too...its not in the right place to mean much.

Jason · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2013, 12:13:11 PM »

Yea, if you are getting power to the coil and distributor it should run. Did you check for spark?

Everyone should have one of these.

Terry_Curran · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2013, 12:35:06 PM »

Yes Jason, we checked for spark. I thought it was weak though.

Terry

dorelse · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:06:15 PM »

Well, O'Reily's tested the Ignition Control module and their test said its bad. Bought a new one, installed it, no difference. Well...it might be a bit better. Sputters more, still not catching...

Still not running. I have Spark, confirmed with the spark tester, I have gas, watched gas shoot down the engine. What's left?

Terry's suggestion is to change the plugs out...I think that's a good idea, they're soot black, and not at all clean. Might be a good next step.

wexrocks · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:46:44 PM »

Distributor tight? It didn't move on ya did it?

dorelse · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2013, 09:56:37 PM »

Quote from: wexrocks on August 21, 2013, 09:46:44 PM

Distributor tight? It didn't move on ya did it?

I'll check...do I just try and move it?

wexrocks · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2013, 05:39:18 AM »

Quote from: dorelse on August 21, 2013, 09:56:37 PM

Quote from: wexrocks on August 21, 2013, 09:46:44 PM
Distributor tight? It didn't move on ya did it?

I'll check...do I just try and move it?

Yup. If you can turn it by hand with a reasonable amount of effort, it may have moved on its own. Black plugs could mean a couple things. Timing way off could do it. Choke stuck or not opening fully could too, but it would probably run when it's still cold. Unless the plugs are fouled.

dorelse · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2013, 11:14:25 AM »

Terry can attest that the plugs are in pretty bad shape. They were soaked with gas from flooding the engine trying to start it when he pulled them.

Going to check distributor and put some new plugs in...I'm not sure why its running rich.

wexrocks · « **Reply #12 on:** August 22, 2013, 11:34:05 AM »

Choke not opening will "flood" it because of the restricted air. A float sticking could be overfilling your carb. Didn't you recently have carb issues? Besides overfilling, there might an issue inside the carb that is allowing fuel to run in. Float height could be an issue as well.

dorelse · « **Reply #13 on:** August 22, 2013, 11:48:37 AM »

Yes, my accelerator pump never had gas in it, so it would always hesitate when I'd 'hit it'...so I adjust the float up slightly to allow more fuel in the bowl. Re-installed and test started & ran engine multiple times before Red Wing, though, never on the water. I then removed the carb and reexamined the gas levels in the bowl and it looked good. Re-installed ran engine again, no issues.

I let it sit for a couple weeks, pulled the boat out cold, fired up in 1/2 a crank as usual, packed it for Red Wing.

Honestly, I suppose it could be flooding out, but I'm no expert and Terry didn't think that was a case. If I disconnect the fuel line and just spray starter fluid down the carb, the result is the same.

dorelse · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2013, 01:18:56 PM »

Renamed the thread.

I copied down the existing plugs: NGK R5673-8

I can't find them as a plug used for Marine engines, only Racing (assuming 8 is the heat range?). NGK says I should have standard YR5, V-power YR5GP or YR5IX (Iridium).

75starflight · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2013, 01:43:12 PM »

Quote from: dorelse on August 22, 2013, 01:18:56 PM

Renamed the thread.

I copied down the existing plugs: NGK R5673-8

I can't find them as a plug used for Marine engines, only Racing (assuming 8 is the heat range?). NGK says I should have standard YR5, V-power YR5GP or YR5IX (Iridium).

Doran, I was going to ask what plugs are in goldie. I had NGks in Phoenix last year and they were fowled out by mid july. put another set in and lasted the rest of the season. The ones I had also turned black and would not throw spark. I switch to the ac delco marine plugs and have not had a problem all summer this season. IMO Get Rid of the NGK Plugs, they are probably the problem.

I can't remember where I read it but the article stated that NGK spark plugs will fowl out during Idling. Constant high RPMs they are good but if you idle like we do through no wake zones and do alot of low rpm running they will fowl out.

CVX Fever · « **Reply #16 on:** August 22, 2013, 02:17:22 PM »

I agree with Wex that the timing should be checked.

Brandon you could be correct about the plugs although I have a hard time believing they are soo bad that the motor won't even start or run. Especially considering that was a brand new motor a 3 years ago. But who knows. Still I wouldn't spend money on anything but an AC plug in either of my MerCruiser engines. I have never changed out the AC plugs in my SeaRay that I got used and this is my 9th season with it.

75starflight · « **Reply #17 on:** August 22, 2013, 02:37:25 PM »

Quote from: CVX Fever on August 22, 2013, 02:17:22 PM

I agree with Wex that the timing should be checked.

Brandon you could be correct about the plugs although I have a hard time believing they are soo bad that the motor won't even start or run. Especially considering that was a brand new motor a 3 years ago. But who knows. Still I wouldn't spend money on anything but an AC plug in either of my MerCruiser engines. I have never changed out the AC plugs in my SeaRay that I got used and this is my 9th season with it.

I would not say they aren't throwing spark, maybe just a weak spark. When I had the NGKs installed in Phoenix, with a fresh set the first start was great, motor would barely crank over. this would continue for the next couple times, but once I had a few hours on her she became cold blooded and took forever to start would have to have the throttle almost wide open to get her to fire and even after running she did not like to idle and would always try to die on me.

Now with the delco plugs she coughs alot but never dies when she is idling when she is cold but once warmed up she never gives me a fit purrs like a kitten. I have also noticed it seems like i have gained a little more lower RPM power compared to the NGKs.

dorelse · « **Reply #18 on:** August 22, 2013, 03:30:10 PM »

They were throwing spark, but it was very weak.

Just put in the correct AC Delco plugs, (verified gap) and it started right up.

Here's what the plugs looked like:

WetRaider · « **Reply #19 on:** August 22, 2013, 03:40:27 PM »

That's crazy.
I keep a set of spares with me, just in case. Always did with my 2 cycle motorcycles, too.
But you aren't 2 cycle ... Glad to hear it's up and running. Going out one last time before putting to bed?