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  #1   IP: 107.77.97.52
Old 06-22-2019, 11:13 PM
infy infy is offline
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Just one more problem... engine stalls in forward gear

Having conquered one issue after another... there appears to be one more complication. It lugs and dies in forward. Sometimes it will just barely keep running.

Wide open throttle. Engine to temp.

It seems to rev no problem. Reverse seems okay.

As soon as I shift in to forward it starts to slow down and lug. Usually dies. Sometimes will barely keep running in a zombie state.

There are a lot of threads on this problem... reading them suggests it can be anything. The carburetor, the fuel pump, timing, plug wires, fuel tank, distributor... basically anything on the boat.

Which is a bit terrifying.

Starting with new plugs, distributor cap, and plug wires... I'll report back if I find a fix... suggestions welcome of course
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  #2   IP: 70.185.132.167
Old 06-23-2019, 12:49 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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Is the prop clear and free of obstructions?
Also how much sea life has grown on the prop since the last check?

TRUE GRIT
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  #3   IP: 107.77.97.32
Old 06-23-2019, 01:30 AM
infy infy is offline
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I can't tell here... the water is just too murky at the marina. I think it's safe to assume the boat has not left the slip in at least 2 years. I see a ft or 2 of the bottom and it's pretty green and fuzzy down there.

My goal is to make it to the sling under power so I spend as little time as possible in the expensive yard (which to date, would have cost $3,000 if that's where I started)

On the hard I'll do bottom paint, any blisters, and etc... in the slip do diagnostics, waiting for shipping, and mechanical.

I'm a bit of a novice with direct propshaft drives but... would some growth have that much of an affect?

I can turn the propshaft by hand. And it spins freely in reverse... also spins slowly in "neutral" for some reason. I figure if I can turn it by hand the engine should handle it just fine but... maybe not?
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  #4   IP: 72.69.36.126
Old 06-23-2019, 06:05 AM
tenders tenders is offline
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Add "blocked exhaust" to the list of potential issues we've seen here with those symptoms.
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  #5   IP: 174.233.159.192
Old 06-23-2019, 09:36 AM
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pearsontriton28 pearsontriton28 is offline
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I just went through this same issue. I ended up having bad points and chose to go with an electronic ignition. Now, it runs better than ever.
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  #6   IP: 174.233.159.192
Old 06-23-2019, 09:49 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tenders View Post
Add "blocked exhaust" to the list of potential issues we've seen here with those symptoms.
For sure. I had a dock neighbor that couldn’t get his A4 to run well while in gear. He went to an electronic ignition, then a new carb and when that didn’t work, a new A4. Still, it would not run well while in gear. After paying 8 hrs labor to a mechanic to come out and diagnose his issue, they came to the conclusion he had a collapsed exhaust. Essentially he replaced a perfectly running A4 with a new one to fix an exhaust problem.
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  #7   IP: 71.38.87.228
Old 06-23-2019, 10:29 AM
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Are you CERTAIN that your plug wires are in the correct order?
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  #8   IP: 73.83.157.183
Old 06-23-2019, 11:26 AM
infy infy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadnsky View Post
Are you CERTAIN that your plug wires are in the correct order?
I'm going to check that first.

There's one more thing I should mention... Even after the engine is to operating temp.. about 160* (FWC).. I still have to use the choke to start it. It won't start with the choke in the run position.
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  #9   IP: 107.77.97.76
Old 06-23-2019, 01:56 PM
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Holy ****. As soon as I took the spark plug out there was a fountain of water out the cylinder.

It hasn't stopped pouring.

I did not turn it over today... there's still a snowball's chance it's ok...

Corroded exhaust manifold?
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  #10   IP: 107.77.97.76
Old 06-23-2019, 02:08 PM
infy infy is offline
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I would suspect head gasket but... I put antifreeze in. It seems to be raw water coming out.
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  #11   IP: 70.185.132.167
Old 06-23-2019, 04:27 PM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infy View Post
There's one more thing I should mention... Even after the engine is to operating temp.. about 160* (FWC).. I still have to use the choke to start it. It won't start with the choke in the run position.
Needing brief full choke to start fully warmed up A4 is normal. If a warm A4 does not need some choke to start it means the mixture is to rich.

TRUE GRIT
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  #12   IP: 107.77.97.76
Old 06-23-2019, 06:08 PM
infy infy is offline
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Somehow raw water is going up the exhaust and in to the exhaust manifold. I loosened the flange from the manifold and it drained.

Could be pretty catastrophic... what causes that?
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  #13   IP: 71.38.87.228
Old 06-23-2019, 07:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infy View Post
Somehow raw water is going up the exhaust and in to the exhaust manifold. I loosened the flange from the manifold and it drained.

Could be pretty catastrophic... what causes that?
Check your exhaust all the way to the water lift.
Your earlier symptoms pointed to a possible blockage as TENDERS mentioned.
That may have then caused your water backup.
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  #14   IP: 107.77.97.76
Old 06-23-2019, 09:11 PM
infy infy is offline
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I'll check on it. I'm also wondering if its because I had the raw water on while turning the engine over yesterday diagnosing other things. I may have filled the exhaust with water and it backed up to the manifold...
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  #15   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 06-23-2019, 09:40 PM
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Al Schober Al Schober is offline
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Welcome to the wonderful and wacky world of waterlift exhausts! They will back up and flood your engine. Hopefully your waterlift has a drain plug - perhaps a valve for draining is in order.
First priority right now should be getting the engine dry. Remove all spark plugs and spin it with the starter. Once the cylinders are dry, a bit of oil in each hole will prevent corrosion of the rings.
Check the crankcase. If the oil is milky, it will have to be changed. High oil level may indicate water sitting under the oil, in which case one of those vacuum canisters can be used to suck out the lowest level stuff which you can examine for water.
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  #16   IP: 107.77.97.76
Old 06-23-2019, 09:51 PM
infy infy is offline
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Oh yeah, I filled the cylinders with marvel mystery oil... I think there's still some dripping off the ceiling!

No more water coming in.. they should be drying now. I'll put the plugs back in and try to start it.

I checked the compression and it looked okay... hoping the reading didn't just get fooled by the wet cylinders.

Oil was a nasty milky foam. I drained it and replaced it. Plan to do that two more times.

I'll have to search the forums for how you guys do the drain. I'm definitely a bit nervous now knowing what can happen. I think I was lucky finding the problem early.
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