Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Troubleshooting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 172.58.200.81
Old 06-08-2018, 01:18 AM
dwkfym dwkfym is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 32
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
#4 spark plug fouled. Temperaturw differences between plugs

My #4 plug is always sooty black when I pull it out. The other plugs are normal. This happens within 15 mins of idling. Also, my #1 plug is cool enpugh to touch, and the plugs get hotter as they get closer to the tramsmission. #4 plug is hottest to the touch.

Points are set around .020. I ordered new plug wires, but im not sure if that is the culprit.

I am thinking thr #4 cyl is missing and that my cooling channels to that end of the motor are clogged somewhere.

Background-- boat and enginr got flooded last year. Had to replace all electricals and rewire engine. Havent left dock yet-- just did the last oil change. Had marvel mystery oil at the valves (via plug hole) and little bit in the fuel. Running without thermostat amd with manual valve at the bypass. Muriatic acid flush done mid season last year.

Anything else that could be causing these symptoms? Any way to clear coolant passages without engine disassembly?
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 72.194.220.204
Old 06-08-2018, 01:57 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,500
Thanks: 54
Thanked 855 Times in 629 Posts
A compression check would be a good idea since the engine was flooded (with water?). There may be stuck valve in #1 cylinder.
Maybe #4 plug is not good. Try swapping the plugs between cylinders and see if the trouble follows the plug.

TRUE GRIT
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 137.200.0.112
Old 06-08-2018, 06:26 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
Hmmmm.......
#4 usually will foul first because it is colder than the others in my experience. Odd that it is the hottest one
Is it carbon or oil fouling? Carbon = dryish black, oil is wetter.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Dave Neptune (06-08-2018)
  #4   IP: 172.95.97.58
Old 06-08-2018, 10:54 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is online now
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,035
Thanks: 711
Thanked 1,289 Times in 839 Posts
Things seem a bit backwards as far as your plug temps. If #4 is fouling it should be the "coolest" to the touch.

Before doing to much fiddling check you spark at the # 4 plug or if it is difficult any other plug will be OK. You should see a crisp blue flash, if it is pale or yellowish no good.

And if the spark is good start it and try leaning the idle by "opening" the idle air screw about a half of a turn and see if the idle becomes smoother. The average setting on most of these beasties is 1 1/2 turns off the seat. Remember that the screw adjusts the amount of air not fuel so out is lean and in is rich.

Another important and often over looked part of the ignition system are the "spark plug boots" the "BOOT" part needs to fit snug on the plug ceramic and should have no cracks. The boot ceramic relationship is what controls the heat radiated by the plug so they are important as far a good plug temps. A good idea is to coat the inside of the boot with some dielectric grease to aid in not sticking, tears in the boot and good contact for the insulating job the boot does to maintain good plug temps.

Dave Neptune
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 73.173.165.224
Old 06-08-2018, 12:02 PM
dwkfym dwkfym is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 32
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
That is why I am thinking #4 is missing - firing every once in a while. Brand new plugs. its black, sooty, carbon fouling.

I can see one of the valves in #1 moving. The plug comes out looking new still (I haven't run it long enough for it to get grey yet) Can I move my head around and see the other valve at #1?

Do you think removing the thermostat might make it so cool that i can still touch the #1 spark plug, and that it might ? Headed to the boat soon.
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 137.200.0.112
Old 06-08-2018, 01:00 PM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
misfire makes plugs cold.
BTW - we mean the aft plug when we say #4. Is that what you mean??
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Dave Neptune (06-08-2018)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Spark plugs. Champion rn12mc4 CalebD General Interest 4 10-08-2015 01:19 PM
no more fouled plugs Joesailboater Exhaust System 50 10-15-2010 08:47 AM
Strange solution to fouled plug msauntry Cooling System 0 05-21-2008 12:44 PM
Spark thread hole core stuck to plug @&!*! vain General Maintenance 1 06-18-2007 11:11 AM
MMO or Cool temp contributing to fouled plugs jkenan Troubleshooting 2 11-21-2006 06:34 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:14 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved