Engine won't start and I'm at my wits-end

[ChicagoNewport27]

Update

So, while I did get the engine started, I still had reservations about its reliability seeing as how I still had not run it for any length of time, or under any load.

Yesterday, I delivered my boat from the marina at the storage yard (great lakes naval base) 50 miles down to her new home at one of Chicago's harbors (Jackson Park, to be exact).

The A4 got me out of the harbor with ease. We then sailed for the first 2 hours on an exhilarating beam reach. Then, the weather changed, we lost any wind we had, and we wallowed for 4 hours doing < 1 knot looking for wind. Since we simply HAD to get to the harbor before dark, we fired up the iron genny. The A4 roared to life on the flick of the key without hesitation, and we motored for over 3 hrs to the harbor. While we did not get to the harbor before dark (we spent too much time looking for wind. I should've turned to the motor more quickly), we did get there at a healthy 6.8 knots (roughly hull speed for my Newport 27)!

My A4 performed superbly! It is now a proven and trusted friend.

[P30_889]

Become that trusted friend

Congrats on getting to the point where you can rely on the A4. Yesterday I was able to start the engine without incident after my best evening with her since the valve job. A friend took the boat for the weekend and he made it all the way up to the next river north of the Bay Bridge and put out the anchor for the night. Hopefully she starts for him on his return trip this afternoon. I look forward to the feeling that she will start when she is supposed to and run without problems. My previous boat had an engine that in my 7 years never let me down. Funny how vulnerable you feel when you have that nagging in your head about if the engine will run.

[skibum100]

Satisfying is correct, yes, but it seems like an understatement.

I've had the boat for 3 years, and this engine problem has always stymied me. The PO had the boat for 13 years before that, and apparently he gave up at some point and just put an outboard on the back. For this engine to roar to life like that was completely fulfilling.

I'm walking around the office today like I just climbed Everest. One coworker came into my office, closed the door, and said, "Man, you're like glowing today. Did you get l*id or something?"

"No," I said, " Something better. I finally got my engine running." He gave me a completely puzzled look and walked out.

Some people just wont understand the feeling of peace and contentment and accomplishment I'm carrying around today, and that's fine.

Tomorrow, I'll get back to work on that neverending sailboat task list. But today... today... I'm gonna just savor this for a day.

Thanks again folks!

Sincerely,
Ken "sporting a new sh*t-eating grin" Wallace

Ken--What a story! Thanks for sharing everything with us. Dave

[Carl-T705]

I believe what this threads lesson is never assume, when an engine doesn't start, always go back to the basics, fuel, air and spark, eliminate all the safety cutoffs, switches and accessories.... fuel spark and air!

[sprague]

Thanks for the great advice tenders! I'll report back here when I've done more testing along the lines you suggested.

It is really easy to check the ignition system. With a test light connected to a good ground. Turn the key to the on position. Check the B+ side of the coil. You should have power. If not repair connection to switch. Check the signal side when cranking the engine. The light should flicker. If not clean and set points. Then remove coil wire from distributor and place on engine. Turn engine over. If you get spark Coil is OK. If not replace coil. Replace coil wire on Distributor. Remove any spark plug wire and place on engine. Turn engine over. If you have spark OK If not check other wires. Still no spark clean or replace cap and rotor. Replace wires on plugs. Remove spark plug and set on engine. If you have spark ignition system is OK. Place finger in spark plug hole. Crank engine. If pressure pops finger out compression is good. You now have two out of three systems working. You have previously checked fuel flow to carburetor. Now all you have to do is spray a little fuel into the carb and fire it up. If it starts and runs...enjoy. If it starts and stops, place a piece of cardboard over the throttlebody and crank engine. This will force the fuel through the carb by vacuum. At this point the engine should start and run. If not take off the carb and recondition.