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: 24.137.100.1
Old 06-30-2009, 08:04 PM
tlscott tlscott is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
no fire at coil - what's wrong

Hi

I started my catalina 30 up fione this spring and when launch day came it fired right up. It was running fine for 2-3 minutes then when I backed out to move the boat to my slip it died. I could not get it going and got towed back to the dock. Later after trying to get it going again it started but quit shortly after. I thought I had a fuel starvation or clogged line and was just ready to pull the carburator when I thought I should check for fire at the plugs. When I turned the engine over no sparks at the plugs when I held them on the block. Then I thought I should check the fire coming out of the coil. Nothing there either. Then I checked the voltager between the leads on the coil. nothing there either. I just replaced the ignition with a cheap canadian tire brand and still no voltage at the coil when I check the leads. The starter turns over find and I'm getting a pool of fuel in the carburator.

Is there a fuse between the ignition and coil that may have failed? What do I check next?

thanks
Terry

Happy Canada Day
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 74.176.12.194
Old 06-30-2009, 10:53 PM
twoowls twoowls is offline
Frequent Contributor
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 9
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Smile Coil Fire

Run a hot wire from the ignition switch to to + side of the coil. If that is no good then replace the coil.
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 38.102.24.128
Old 07-01-2009, 06:09 AM
Don Moyer's Avatar
Don Moyer Don Moyer is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 0
Thanked 183 Times in 124 Posts
Also, if you find yourself cranking your Catalina 30 longer than a few seconds without starting, be sure to close the raw water through-hull valve to prevent engine cooling water from flooding back into your engine. See the attachment for more details on Catalina 30 exhaust and electrical issues.

Don
Attached Images
File Type: pdf Catalina 30 electrical issues.pdf (9.5 KB, 859 views)
File Type: pdf Catalina 30 exhaust issues.pdf (9.9 KB, 840 views)
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 206.125.176.3
Old 07-01-2009, 10:13 AM
sastanley's Avatar
sastanley sastanley is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Solomons, MD
Posts: 7,016
Thanks: 1,134
Thanked 600 Times in 442 Posts
Hi Don, Thanks for the post about location of joining plugs in the circuit on a C-30.

I would like to add that I was 'looking' for this plug this winter after reading another post about it. I was able to visually inspect the mid-way plug (near the galley) by removing the drawer assembly on the aft side of the galley & clean it up without the awkward reach under the stuffing box access panel in the floor. (apparently not ALL Catalina 30's had this drawer assembly, but mine does) Pull the drawers and only 4 sheet metal screws hold the frame to fiberglass. This 'hole' also eventually gave me good access to the connections for a replacement fuel tank I had to install this spring as well, much better than reaching around thru the quarter berth.

Cheers!
__________________
-Shawn
"Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109
"Twice Around" - '77 C-30, #511 with original A-4 & MMI manifold - SOLD! (no longer a two boat owner!!)
http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/signaturepics/sigpic3231_6.gif
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 198.167.53.103
Old 07-02-2009, 07:18 AM
tlscott tlscott is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 4
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks all for the comments. After tracing the problem some more I found the ignition wire was failing in the harness connector at the front of the engine. I cut the wire from the ignition and run a wire to the positive side of the coil. Worked great after that.

Then I got into another problem after the boat ran for 30 seconds. The boat would start. MAde sure the fuel pump was pumping lots of fuel so I had to take the carb off and clean it out. It was terribly filthy inside. The boat would start then stall. We took the carb off about 7 times cleaning out junk. Finally put ana inline fuel filter and still had the same issues. I then decided to pump out a cup or two of fuel to see if the dirt was gone and voila I found about 50% fuel/water mix. The fill cap must of been leaking all winter in combination with the condensation. I'm going to pump out the fuel today and see what we get.

thanks for the help.
Reply With Quote
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
Some Comments About Coils Don Moyer Ignition System 42 10-17-2017 05:03 PM
Hi, new member with a problem cpdeeley Introductions 10 01-11-2009 01:43 PM
Will fire only with starter engaged vwalker Troubleshooting 1 08-10-2007 05:02 PM
Balky coil? JimG Ignition System 5 02-21-2006 06:09 PM
Eating Ignition Coils? Randy Troubleshooting 17 10-15-2005 07:34 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:59 AM.


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