My Atomic 4 and I have been fighting for the past few months now. And I am about to shoot myself.
One day motoring out, I noticed that the temp gauge was all the way maxed out. I worried and turned the engine off immediately. The gauge didn't move. turned it back on again with no problem after a 5 hours sail, not a problem, gauge still at max temp. For what I know, it might have been stuck there for months. A few days later, I try to start the engine: it starts, then dies. Again, starts and dies sooner. Until the point it doesn't start. If I wait some, it starts sometimes, and dies within a few seconds.
I thought it would be fuel related. I replaced EVERYTHING fuel related. Doesn't start. Then a month passed by (I was busy), and now I am trying again.
Now, the engine starts for a few seconds ONLY with starting fluid, otherwise it only cranks. The carb has been replaced 3 times (with backup carbs, then rebuilt carb) with no difference. Fuel pump is new. Fuel filter new. Fuel line new. New thermostat, new temp sending unit (now it has a low temp reading, but I guess it's normal since it doesn't even start). I even removed the head and the manifold, cleaned it all real good, checked the valves (seemed OK), put it all back together with new gaskets. Still, doesn't start (only with starting fluid). Occasionally, a neighbor passes by, and says in a deep voice "it's your carb". But how many time can I replace and rebuild a carb with no improvement and it still being the carb? I am about to shoot myself or blow this engine up. Any idea anyone?
( I do get a good spark. The compression ain't the best at 100-75-75-100. It was there before I removed the head, it is still there, no change. I figured that it isn't great but it is should be good enough for the engine to run...?)
One day motoring out, I noticed that the temp gauge was all the way maxed out. I worried and turned the engine off immediately. The gauge didn't move. turned it back on again with no problem after a 5 hours sail, not a problem, gauge still at max temp. For what I know, it might have been stuck there for months. A few days later, I try to start the engine: it starts, then dies. Again, starts and dies sooner. Until the point it doesn't start. If I wait some, it starts sometimes, and dies within a few seconds.
I thought it would be fuel related. I replaced EVERYTHING fuel related. Doesn't start. Then a month passed by (I was busy), and now I am trying again.
Now, the engine starts for a few seconds ONLY with starting fluid, otherwise it only cranks. The carb has been replaced 3 times (with backup carbs, then rebuilt carb) with no difference. Fuel pump is new. Fuel filter new. Fuel line new. New thermostat, new temp sending unit (now it has a low temp reading, but I guess it's normal since it doesn't even start). I even removed the head and the manifold, cleaned it all real good, checked the valves (seemed OK), put it all back together with new gaskets. Still, doesn't start (only with starting fluid). Occasionally, a neighbor passes by, and says in a deep voice "it's your carb". But how many time can I replace and rebuild a carb with no improvement and it still being the carb? I am about to shoot myself or blow this engine up. Any idea anyone?
( I do get a good spark. The compression ain't the best at 100-75-75-100. It was there before I removed the head, it is still there, no change. I figured that it isn't great but it is should be good enough for the engine to run...?)
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