Just when I thought it was safe...

[Skywalker]

Last night was my turn to be committee boat. My kids and I motored out to the course, set the line, had a clean start. After the fleet rounded the second mark, I turned on the A4, asked my daughter to motor slowly into the 18 kts of wind so I could haul the anchor and move to set the finish line.

She stalled. Couldn't believe it. Never happened. Ever.

Cranked her a few moments, she would not start or even fire. Then she started up and then stalled again. Cranking resulted in no missing or firing.

I went down below, tore everything apart to get to her. Nothing obviously wrong. Coil/all wire in place. Batteries charged. Alternator 14 V. No smell of fuel. Oil pressure was good. Pumping water, engine cool.

I pulled the fuel line off the carb to see if my electric fuel pump was working. My daughter turned the key too far (i wasn't clear) and the engine started on the fuel in the bowel. The fuel pump was pumping well, too.

I put her back together and she fired up and ran perfectly the rest of the night.

Now, we were at anchor for about 45 min. The sea state was choppy, but we weren't kicked around too much. I've motored and sailed recently in far worse.

I have a water separator/filter and a polishing filter. My tank has been removed and cleaned within the last few years. I put five gallons in by gerry can two days ago that I purchased from the gas station i regularly use.

Coil is one year old. Plugs brand new. Electronic ignition.

Carb rebuilt recently.

She started and ran beautifully after this episode. On and off, no problem. Accelerated as usual. Pushed her through the water as usual.

I guess it's possible some crud got through my filters and temporarily clogged it up.

I'll check the water separator, maybe some bad gas.

Thoughts would be appreciated.

Skywalker

[ndutton]

There is nothing more difficult to troubleshoot than something that's working properly, there's no failure to work toward. You're doing all you can - thoroughly check to be sure the fuel delivery and management is good and clean, check the spark management system just as carefully. If nothing makes itself obvious you've done all you can.

While you're going through it, may as well replace the items that are due anyway. You might get lucky.

[Skywalker]

thanks.

I don't have anything to replace! New fuel lines, filters. Electric fuel pump 2 years old. New coil, plugs. New belts and impellers, too, fwiw.

I could drain the gas, I guess.

It is time for an oil change. Not that it is relevant, but time to do it anyway.

[Dave Neptune]

Reaching 4 straws

Skywalker, what Neil said is quite accurate. You may try wiggling your key switch with a volt meter on the coil positive side to see if it is just that simple.

My only other guess would not be something getting past the filters but something that was between your last filter and the carb. I often find KRUD in the cavity of the carb that feeds the needle and seat as it is often neglected. Often times just removing a hose and sliding it back on can "cut" a lil chunk out of the hose and it can find it's way to the carb, but not through a filter. This is why the polishing filter is so helpful.

Dave Neptune

[JOHN COOKSON]

Next time this happens try running a jumper wire from the big connection on the back of the starter to coil +, bypassing the boats wiring.
If this doesn't work at least you will have some actionable information.

TRUE GRIT

Edit: Also you can keep the meter handy and check for 12 volts at coil + when you are in a no start mode. A simple spark test of coil + to ground would work also.

Edit again: In a well maintened engine such as yours my first reacton would be to look outside the engine. Such as KRAP in the fuel tank\fuel system or wiring not up to par.

[RMark]

E.w.d.s.?

Sounds like a instance where the E.W.D.S. would have been useful. Ran out of fuel recently when gauge said still had some, low fuel pressure warning lite/buzzer set me straight.

[ndutton]

Sounds like an instance where the E.W.D.S. would have been useful. Ran out of fuel recently when gauge said still had some, low fuel pressure warning lite/buzzer set me straight.

I was thinking the same thing but didn't want to come across as a carnival barker. The report of your recent episode and the EWDS alert is exactly what we were going for, instantaneous on-the-fly troubleshooting. Outstanding.

[Skywalker]

Thanks for the help.

I'm off to Ohio State to bring my daughter back to school. 10 hours out, unload, eat, sleep, wake early, 10 hours back.

Fun times.

Skywalker

[Administrator]

The report of your recent episode and the EWDS alert is exactly what we were going for, instantaneous on-the-fly troubleshooting. Outstanding.

Yep!

Bill

[RMark]

Actually added two modifications to the E.W.D.S., Installed volt meter to positive coil terminal,[don't have a ballast resister] and installed a relay to buzzer that disables it while cranking,[motor is so quiet I couldn't hear what it was doing while starting]. I have since sold boat to a friend at our marina, that's two A4 powered Catalinas a 27 and a 30, I have previously owned and will probably will continue to be chief engineer of, and bought a stink boat, a Grand Banks 36 woody with two diesels and a diesel generator May incorporate some of the E.W.D.S. features into it after I figure this thing out.[ I think I'm going to be busy!]

[ndutton]

Every feature on the EWDS will work for your diesels except for coil input voltage.