We live in Freeport Maine...

[GEM555]

...does anyone have a line on someone who knows how to fix an Atomic 4 in the Freeport ME area? We’ve dumped a ton of money into ours only to find a dead engine each and every time we get on the boat. The thing simply will not start. The last guy had the valves lapped over the winter and said he found a stuck intac alve on the last cylinder. Had all that fixed only to arrive to the same dead A4 we left in the fall. What is it with these things? They just will not run!

[joe_db]

...does anyone have a line on someone who knows how to fix an Atomic 4 in the Freeport ME area? We’ve dumped a ton of money into ours only to find a dead engine each and every time we get on the boat. The thing simply will not start. The last guy had the valves lapped over the winter and said he found a stuck intac alve on the last cylinder. Had all that fixed only to arrive to the same dead A4 we left in the fall. What is it with these things? They just will not run!

We can teach you to be a better A4 mechanic than 95% of the "marine" mechanics out there.
That said, you need to hunt in the antique boat and antique car/tractor engine repair shops for a mech. The A4 is very similar to any number of 1930s era car and tractor engines and utterly unfamiliar to someone who connects a computer to a fuel injected V8 or common rail electronic diesel.

[GEM555]

Not smart enough to fix it myself. Just make it worse. Well, if anyone has any leads on someone, I’d appreciate hearing from them. We are off the water for now.

[ndutton]

Sorry to hear of your troubles and even more sorry you feel incapable of learning the engine yourself. The mantra around here is if we can do it, anyone can. I have nothing to offer regarding a Freeport area referral due to living on the opposite coast but I would like to redirect one of your comments:

We’ve dumped a ton of money into ours [A4] only to find a dead engine each and every time we get on the boat

Actually you've dumped a ton of money on mechanics lacking in skill and experience with an old technology gas engine (see Joe's comment). I hope you find a good one because then you will learn what a wonderful engine the Atomic 4 really is.

One other thought:
If you prefer to not learn the basics of this engine (absolutely your choice) what are you going to do when you're out on the water some distance from home and something goes wrong? Y'know, things go wrong on all engines sooner or later, sooner if they aren't maintained properly and not just the Atomic 4. Same goes for diesels (that's why there are so many diesel mechanics around the port) and outboards (just check any launch ramp on a big holiday). Who are you going to call at sea?

[GEM555]

Glad to hear you say the A4 is such a wonderful engine, but honestly our experience teaches us just the opposite. Completely unreliable, and the skill set needed to keep the engine operating correctly apparently no longer exists in the market place.

I am simply not smart enough to fix the engine, we usually address that limitation by having a motor in tip-top shape at all times. This event teaches that simply isn’t possible with an A4. Like an old Italian sports car, you can’t take a drive without an Italian mechanic on board!

[GEM555]

I guess what I’m trying to say is that if it’s so hard to keep an A4 running that two individuals who go to work each and every day fixing gas/diesel engines and have over 60 years experience between them have both struck out, how can a guy like me, who barely knows what a “spark” is and wouldn’t have a clue how to “check for one” do better?

[Tim]

If you can tell the difference between a wrench and screwdriver, then you can learn basic maintenance of an A4. I completely disassembled and rebuilt an A4 just by following the instructions in the Moyer manual. I recommend getting the manual before you throw in the towel. It's very easy reading, explains all of the systems of the a4, and is filled with easy to follow trouble shooting guides.

[Al Schober]

GEM555,
Two questions - 1) do you have the Moyer Manual? 2) have you read it?
I've owned one boat with 3 diesels - two Perkins 6-354 for propulsion and an Onan genset. I can work on most of a diesel, but can't do the injectors or the injection pumps. Breakdown at sea and I'm dead.
I can't think of anything on an Atomic 4 that's beyond a repair at sea.
A lot of stuff that's blamed on the Atomic 4 is actually add-on stuff - usually a bad exhaust system allowing water back into the engine.
It sounds like your engine has a basic fault, likely related to the exhaust system. Next time you have a no start, give it a spray of starting ether and try it - this will identify either spark or fuel issues. If a valve is hung up, a compression check may be needed.
Give us a chance here. If we can't come and play doctor, you'll have to play nurse and give us the symptoms - we can then try and diagnose.
But please, don't tell us what a lousy engine the A4 is! You'll get nothing but argument here. Personally, I've been doing A4s for 30 years and have done 2 overhauls. I know they're good engines.

[GEM555]

All I’m telling you is that I have an A4. It doesn’t start. We have spent a fair amount of money on two professional mechanics and gave them each a simple goal. “Get that engine running reliably”. Both have failed completely. In the first case the engine ran for 5 hours then failed. The second, the engine doesn’t run at all. I don’t know where to go next with this.
The head got rebuilt over the winter - mechanic B pulled the heads and said he found a stuck valve. We had that fixed and the valves lapped. Hope that helps. What is starting ether

[ndutton]

I guess what I’m trying to say is that if it’s so hard to keep an A4 running that two individuals who go to work each and every day fixing gas/diesel engines and have over 60 years experience between them have both struck out, how can a guy like me, who barely knows what a “spark” is and wouldn’t have a clue how to “check for one” do better?

What I'm trying to say (I've said it before in similar circumstances) is your mechanics obviously couldn't cut the mustard. The fact they couldn't deliver results is proof enough. I realize you're frustrated with poor performance and big expense but the reality is this is an exceedingly simple engine. Doubting your own abilities is understandable, we often preach pick yer battles but because two so called experienced professional ($$) mechanics couldn't get what is basically a lawn mower engine to run reliably is not the fault of the engine or its design.

From your comments thus far it is clear to me you've made your mind up the engine cannot be made to run reliably. You'll have a hard time convincing the members of this forum of that but I'll accept it's where you're at. It suggests this type of engine and you are not a good match and will continue to be a source of aggravation. Nobody wants that and it will surely make your boating stressful.

This is the first time in nearly 8000 posts I've made on this forum that I've suggested the following: maybe you're a candidate for an electric drive or if you think you have a good diesel mechanic available, perhaps a diesel repower is the way to go. However, if the diesel mechanics in your area are as unskilled as the two mechanics you've already run across you'll be in the exact same spot with a diesel as you are right now with the A4.

The goal is for you to enjoy your boat whatever it takes. Best of luck.

[Golfdad75]

You can do it

Get a compression tester, a set of 3/8 drive and 1/4 sae sockets, a multimeter and small vice grips.
I was where you were 5 years ago, now there is nothing I don’t think I could fix. These guys on this forum are brilliant, I would start with fire.

[Golfdad75]

On the other hand

Go to your local tractor dealer, tell them you have an old 4 cylinder universal tractor engine, they can help.

[JOHN COOKSON]

Do you have any of the repair estimates, proposals, invoices or any other paper work associated with the two failed repairs?
If you do please post them. I sure would like to see them all.
Were the mechanics familiar with marine engines and marine engines and marine engine systems?
NEWS FLASH:There may be nothing wrong with the engine at all!!!!The problem may be with one of the boat's systems. Dirty fuel or a blocked exhaust system come to mind.
I would like to know how the diagnosis was arrived at and what the "fix" was.
There is something not right here. The fix did not match the problem. That's for sure. Even if you choose not to hold a tool in your hand the forum can and will help you understand the engine better which will help you relate to the "mechanics" better. (And not get ripped off next time)

TRUE GRIT

[joe_db]

All I’m telling you is that I have an A4. It doesn’t start. We have spent a fair amount of money on two professional mechanics and gave them each a simple goal. “Get that engine running reliably”. Both have failed completely. In the first case the engine ran for 5 hours then failed. The second, the engine doesn’t run at all. I don’t know where to go next with this.
The head got rebuilt over the winter - mechanic B pulled the heads and said he found a stuck valve. We had that fixed and the valves lapped. Hope that helps. What is starting ether

Basic question - how much money do you have? If you get a competent shop to correctly install and maintain a new diesel for you, you will have a nice reliable engine. You will be out around $10,000 to $20,000 for this.
It is possible for any engine - A4 included - to be past the point of no return. Moyer will sell you a rebuild for 4 to 6 thousand, depending on if you want as new or used block.
I am really not trying to sound nasty - I know the internet can be full of trolls - but any kind of boat much bigger than a skiff or a Laser requires a lot of work to keep running. Some people spend their time and some spend their money. If you don't have the $$$ and don't have the desire to fix the boat yourself, it may be this kind of boating and you are not a good fit.
Lord knows I have had this conversation more than once:
Me: Going down to fix the boat hon.
Wife: I thought you fixed it last week?
Me: (Puzzled expression) That was last week. You never run out of things to fix!

There is a reason some people buy boats like J-80s with no systems and 2 hp outboards you can carry to the shop with one hand

[ndutton]

Felix at Handy Boat in Falmouth, ME
The review I found is many years old, may not be there anymore but worth a try.

edit: to get a feeling of what this forum is about, please read this recent thread started by someone asking the same question as you:

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=109020