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Old 08-09-2018, 02:06 PM
Bryan Howell Bryan Howell is offline
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Engine idling fine then shut off like turning key off, will not restart

This is also posted in Troubleshooting, but since I am [pretty sure my problem is ignition, not fuel, related I thought I would put it over here as well.



For long time forum folks, thanks for the years of advice and help. Happily, I finally got my A4 running great, two days ago. The surging issue resolved itself, magically, and the engine was running perfectly. Two days ago. Today, after repairing the genoa I went down to the boat, put the sail back up and went to start the engine. A little cranky but it started and was idling at the slip just fine. Started casting off lines to head out and poof, the engine just went dead, just like I had turned it off. Trying to restart met with zero success, even with ether, nothing, so I am definitely thinking ignition, not fuel. Checked spark at plugs and it seemed weak, checked spark from coil wire and altho a bit stronger still seemed weak. Tried cleaning and resetting the coil wire, nothing. The engine makes zero effort to start. The coil is virtually brand new after replacing late last year (thanks for the advice on that). Electronic ignition. New carb, fuel line, and tank (the root cause of many problems, a totally rusted tank). This is just infuriating, the engine was running better than it ever had just 2 days ago. The abrupt shutdown seems that whatever is wrong is central to the entire engine, not just one plug, so there are not that many things it could be. Could it be the distributor cap? A component in the electronic ignition (I don't know much about this part)? Plug/coil wire(s)? This is a pretty simple engine, why does it seem to confound so many of us so often???? Appreciate your thoughts.
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:32 PM
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ndutton ndutton is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan Howell View Post
This is a pretty simple engine, why does it seem to confound so many of us so often????
Because this is an old school engine and old school wrenching/troubleshooting has become a lost art. This forum has a wealth of experience and information available to anyone for the asking but it will do no good unless the advice offered is followed.

I'll bet there are quite a few of us who went to the high school prom with grease under their fingernails.
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:48 PM
Bryan Howell Bryan Howell is offline
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Right you are

You have certainly given me a lot of good advice over the years, Neil. Do you have any magical insight s to the likely cause of this most recent really irritating problem?
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Old 08-09-2018, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Bryan Howell View Post
Do you have any magical insight s to the likely cause of this most recent really irritating problem?
Do we know - - not guess or believe but KNOW if this is fuel or spark related? Have there been any basic tests performed?

Spark:
Thatch keeps an old spark plug laying on the head at the alternator/lifting eye bracket. Pulling a plug wire off of a spark plug and plugging it onto the spare is an easy test for spark and all the parts are at your fingertips. The test plug laying on the head is sufficient ground for the test.

Fuel:
Is there fuel inside the carburetor? Remove the main passage plug with a catchment underneath and see if fuel comes out.

These are the most basic and simple tests, not intended for an AHA! moment but to point the troubleshooting in the right direction.
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Last edited by ndutton; 08-09-2018 at 07:07 PM.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:09 PM
Bryan Howell Bryan Howell is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
Do we know - - not guess or believe but KNOW if this is fuel or spark related? Have there been any basic tests performed?

Spark:
Thatch keeps an old spark plug laying on the head at the alternator/lifting eye bracket. Pulling a plug wire off of a spark plug and plugging it onto the spare is an easy test for spark and all the parts are at your fingertips. Laying on the head is sufficient ground for the test.

Fuel:
Is there fuel inside the carburetor? Remove the main passage plug with a catchment underneath and see if fuel comes out.

These are the most basic and simple tests, not intended for an AHA! moment but to point the troubleshooting in the right direction.
Neil:

Pulled two plugs to check spark, weak but a spark. Also tried the coil wire, a bit better but still not what I would expect. Fuel pump is pumping fuel, disconnected fuel line into carb and caught fuel being pumped out of fuel pump. The card has maybe 3 hours on it since I completely cleaned it, and it is brand new anyway. I would expect if it was fuel related some missing, sputtering, etc right before it died, not a clean now it is on, now it is off deal like I had. Something so abrupt is, in my experience, usually ignition related.
Sadly ignition is kind of my weak spot as a mechanic.
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Old 08-09-2018, 07:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bryan Howell View Post
Pulled two plugs to check spark, weak but a spark. Also tried the coil wire, a bit better but still not what I would expect.
OK, we have spark. Maybe not great spark but spark.

Quote:
Fuel pump is pumping fuel, disconnected fuel line into carb and caught fuel being pumped out of fuel pump.
Fuel delivery is confirmed.

Quote:
The carb has maybe 3 hours on it since I completely cleaned it, and it is brand new anyway.
This is not evidence. Give a brand new carb rancid fuel and you're right back where you started.

Quote:
I would expect if it was fuel related some missing, sputtering, etc right before it died, not a clean now it is on, now it is off deal like I had. Something so abrupt is, in my experience, usually ignition related.
We have no real evidence it is ignition related other than your expectations and what you think it usually is. That is not evidence and therefore not troubleshooting.

Quote:
Sadly ignition is kind of my weak spot as a mechanic.
Don't be intimidated. This forum knows ignition dead bang so no worries. The same troubleshooting principles apply to ignition as anything else but at this time we are not directed there. We may be later, just not right now based on what is KNOWN.

Given what we KNOW (spark and fuel delivery confirmed), this suggests a carburetor issue. I recommend a full carburetor disassembly and clean up paying attention to all components as long as it's open such as choke plate fully closing, all ports rooted out, float level check, debris in the float chamber, float valve not stuck closed, etc. I would also draw off a cup or two of fuel downstream of the pump, put it in a glass container and look for debris, water and/or phase separation. Make it as good as it can be, reassemble and try to start.
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Old 08-10-2018, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Bryan Howell View Post
...The surging issue resolved itself, magically, and the engine was running perfectly.
Bryan-
That sentence says a lot IMHO...
If it were my vessel, I would want to KNOW why an issue was resolved.

I took a bit of time and read thru your past threads and posts to get a better feel for the history leading to where you are today...

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=10183
No resolution
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=10263
Scavenge Tube & Carb issue
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=10493
Resolution? No answer to carb question in POST #15

Something that really stands out, that I agree we should resolve BEFORE moving on to the next "step"... (IGNITION) is to assure that we can eliminate fuel.

We need Fuel, Spark and Compression to run our beasts.

Here is one of my favorite Don troubleshooting methods...
“Have you performed any maintenance on the engine recently?”
It always provides me with a bit of tension releasing amusement when I'm told: "Why yes, I just replaced the plugs, points, and condenser last week, - so I know that the problem can't be in that area!" (Not necessarily so)! Whenever you experience problems after performing maintenance, always go back over every step of your work to see if you overlooked something.
This is one of the most fertile places to find reasons for intermittent shutdowns.

Attached is a document with some more of Don's troubleshooting wisdom.
Attached Images
File Type: pdf Non-starting checklist.pdf (11.6 KB, 286 views)
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Old 08-10-2018, 11:53 PM
Bryan Howell Bryan Howell is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roadnsky View Post
Bryan-
That sentence says a lot IMHO...
If it were my vessel, I would want to KNOW why an issue was resolved.

I took a bit of time and read thru your past threads and posts to get a better feel for the history leading to where you are today...

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=10183
No resolution
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=10263
Scavenge Tube & Carb issue
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ad.php?t=10493
Resolution? No answer to carb question in POST #15

Something that really stands out, that I agree we should resolve BEFORE moving on to the next "step"... (IGNITION) is to assure that we can eliminate fuel.

We need Fuel, Spark and Compression to run our beasts.

Here is one of my favorite Don troubleshooting methods...
“Have you performed any maintenance on the engine recently?”
It always provides me with a bit of tension releasing amusement when I'm told: "Why yes, I just replaced the plugs, points, and condenser last week, - so I know that the problem can't be in that area!" (Not necessarily so)! Whenever you experience problems after performing maintenance, always go back over every step of your work to see if you overlooked something.
This is one of the most fertile places to find reasons for intermittent shutdowns.

Attached is a document with some more of Don's troubleshooting wisdom.
Thanks for the reply, I really appreciate it. Well, it wasn't totally magic. I discovered a vacuum line that was was a bit lose which once tightened up seemed to resolve the surging issue. That and giving the plugs a little cleaning. This after removing, cleaning and reinstalling the carb, so I fully understand to check what you have just done, you probably screwed up or forgot something.

I want to eliminate ignition before looking at fule as the issue, and not arbitrarily. I think maybe what is missing here is the fact that the engine, minus the surging issue, which has been resolved, was running fine, even with the surge, after 18 months of time, money, sweat and cursing with fuel issues. All done. Successfully. Since then, no new maintenance, no new fuel, no new anything except the pleasure of having an engine that actually ran great since I replaced the tank and everything fuel related and totally cleaned my new carb. Runs great, come in, shut down, tie the boat up. Come back 2 days later, start it, idle it and have it just stop dead after a couple of minutes. In my experience, fuel issues do not lead to a clean, abrupt stop. Not on my boat, not in any of my cars, not even on my lawn tractor. Lose rpm, power, sputter, etc, etc. Not an instantaneous complete shutdown. Literally like turning off the key.

If you do not have fuel, you have no combustion, I get that, really. But, at the same time, if you have no fire, or inadequate fire, you get no combustion, either. I guess I understand why everyone wants to start at fuel, it is easier and more common, but I have been at fuel for 18 months. I have been living the fuel issue for a long time and finally resolved it with the new tank, etc. Sure it was a carb issue because it sucked up gunk from a rusty tank, as did the filters, and the tank allowed water seepage. This is a road very well traveled by me. And a motor that won't catch, even with no fuel line attached, when blasted with starting ether, tells me I have a fire issue. I had a terrible addiction to British sports cars in the 70s and early 80s, so I have certainly spent some time squirting ether to figure out fuel or ignition. Or both...... The sweet mysteries of Weber carbs. So I have, based upon my diagnostic efforts to date, come to the belief, perhaps erroneously, that altho I have some spark, I do not have nearly enough. I know what spark in a properly working ignition system should look like, and it is a nice bright blue white zap, not a weak flicker. Which then takes me into my weak spot, ignitions.

I gave up tuning my own cars when I tried to hook my timing light up to a car that had a "ëlectronic ignition module" on it. All my previous cars had points and condenser and I knew what I was doing (sort of). So all of that said, I still may be wrong. I ordered a new distributor cap, (mine looks funky) plug wire set, and plugs from Moyer, will get them Monday, put them on Tuesday. We will see what that does. As to the Ignitor electronic system I have, it is just a box and a bunch of wires to me, no clue. Do they just "GO BAD"? Seems like they would either work or not work. But again, I have no clue. So this is the area I really need some help with.

I have read virtually everything Don Moyer has ever written, I think...


I really do value the help given in these forums, the experience behind that help, and the spirit in which it is all shared. I just need someone to give me some thoughts on the ignition system, I really do understand the fuel system far better than I ever wanted to. To the forum, ""help me, Obiwan"". But just for now can we pretend that I DO NOT have a fuel problem? Please. If I turn out to be wrong I will gladly acxknowledge same and take public forum shaming.
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Old 08-11-2018, 12:49 AM
Sam Sam is offline
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Some good advice has been given here I am going to highlight something specific that has bee mentioned previously. Separate the "boat part" from the "engine part" and read Don's "non -start checklist". I have resolved non-starting [ & engine stopping] twice, once on my boat [points] and a friends boat [EI] using a jumper wire from the coil to by pass the ignition switch. In both cases the switch was faulty - mine was dead and on my friends boat it was "intermittent". Maybe your switch is weak, faulty or intermittent. It is however a small expense and an easy test, maybe a little awkward to work on.
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Old 08-11-2018, 03:10 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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Bryan
Don't loose sleep over your no start engine. When we get done you will have fuel and spark delivered to the cylinders. Relax and enjoy the ride. (easy for me to say)
IMO it is best to do troubleshooting in an orderly manner rather than say "it could be this or that" before we find what is causing the problem. Once we can localize the problem(s) we will dill down bit with more diagnostics and figure out the fix will be.

TRUE GRIT
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Old 08-11-2018, 10:29 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is offline
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Having an EI and a weak spark is not good. The spark should be snappy and blue. I would check the "RUNNING" voltages at the coil to confirm good voltage. Then I would remove the cap and rotor for inspection, checking for cracks and "carbon trails" inside the cap. Another resistance could be a poor coil wire and/or plug wires. When the engine was converted to EI were all the wires, cap and rotor replaced? While inside the distributor check and lube the c-advance too.

The surging sounds more like fuel and a weak spark could exacerbate that.

A vac leak usually won't surge, but it is air and does influence the fuel mix.

Dave Neptune
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Old 08-11-2018, 05:49 PM
Bryan Howell Bryan Howell is offline
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Originally Posted by JOHN COOKSON View Post
Bryan
Don't loose sleep over your no start engine. When we get done you will have fuel and spark delivered to the cylinders. Relax and enjoy the ride. (easy for me to say)
IMO it is best to do troubleshooting in an orderly manner rather than say "it could be this or that" before we find what is causing the problem. Once we can localize the problem(s) we will dill down bit with more diagnostics and figure out the fix will be.

TRUE GRIT
Heh John, glad you are chiming in. Agree 100% on troubleshooting one area first, I guess my issue has just been everyone seems to insist that I start with fule, and I am far more inclined to start with ignition. With replacing dist cap, plug wires, coil wire and new plugs that will be a pretty good start. But as I have mentioned, as to the EI I am pretty much clueless. Thanks for getting involved!
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Old 08-11-2018, 05:45 PM
Bryan Howell Bryan Howell is offline
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Originally Posted by Sam View Post
Some good advice has been given here I am going to highlight something specific that has bee mentioned previously. Separate the "boat part" from the "engine part" and read Don's "non -start checklist". I have resolved non-starting [ & engine stopping] twice, once on my boat [points] and a friends boat [EI] using a jumper wire from the coil to by pass the ignition switch. In both cases the switch was faulty - mine was dead and on my friends boat it was "intermittent". Maybe your switch is weak, faulty or intermittent. It is however a small expense and an easy test, maybe a little awkward to work on.
I thought about the possibility of the switch, even tho it seems to be functioning correctly, and was replaced last year. Plan on replacing the dist cap, all plug and coil wires, and new plugs probably Tuesday (ordered from Moyer for delivery Monday) Hope that fixes it! If not I'll try bypassing the switch. Thanks for the help!
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Old 08-20-2018, 07:42 PM
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...Plan on replacing the dist cap, all plug and coil wires, and new plugs probably Tuesday (ordered from Moyer for delivery Monday) Hope that fixes it!
It's been 10 days... Any update?
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