Palmer P60 Questions

[AFisch]

Having that small polishing filter be the first to see fuel from the tank is a recipe for trouble, as it can quickly clog.

The fact that it is plastic is a second "recipe."

Does the Racor have an element which looks like an oil filter?

Bill

I believe the Racor does...

Hopefully this image uploaded.

In any event, I will change the configuration and update the other filter.

[Administrator]

Are you certain it's a Racor? It should look something like this.

Bill

[AFisch]

This is what I have...

BTW...Thank you so much for helping already...so glad I found this forum!

[Dave Neptune]

Order

Tank~~Racor~~fuel pump~~polishing filter~~pressure gage/shut-off valve~~carb.

Dave Neptune

[ndutton]

I am not really sure how to check spark after she shuts down, so I'll have to do a little youtubing to figure that out.

For your reading pleasure:

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11138

[Al Schober]

Give it a shot of starting ether. If it roars, spark is good and you have a fuel problem. No roar, no spark.

[AFisch]

Ok, quick Update...

I was down on the weekend, things were a little busy with the kids and Ohana Fest going on...I did get a chance to quickly try the open gas cap on the deck...no luck, not fighting a vacuum. I will have more time to dig in to her hopefully this weekend coming up.

One thing I did make note of however...with regards to the coil being fried. When she starts up after sitting for a while...she fires up right away, fast and strong start. But (like said before), runs for less than 5 min before shutting off. I can hear the RPM's change a bit, tried giving it some more gas, but still ends up shutting down. Really feels like it just stops getting fuel. Almost as if maybe it's using up the fuel in maybe the bowl in the carburetor. Trying to start it right after and it tries to turn over, but just isn't getting fuel anymore.

Could this still be the result of the coil?

I do still need to get at the carb in the first place, but this is just my mind reeling.

Thanks again for all your help. I wish I had more time to mess with it this weekend, but I had my kids solo and they have limited attention span.

On the up side...my son (8yo) and daughter (6) got to sail a sabot for the first time and they loved it!

Adam

[edwardc]

Yes, coil failure is notorious for mimicking a fuel problem.

The definitive test to determine which problem you have is to spray a quick shot of the evil starter fluid into the carb and try to start WHILE IT IS STILL IN THE "won't start" mode.

If it pops and even briefly starts, its a fuel problem.

If there's no response, its a spark problem.

[AFisch]

Yes, coil failure is notorious for mimicking a fuel problem.

The definitive test to determine which problem you have is to spray a quick shot of the evil starter fluid into the carb and try to start WHILE IT IS STILL IN THE "won't start" mode.

If it pops and even briefly starts, its a fuel problem.

If there's no response, its a spark problem.

Thanks Edward...I will try this. Quick question on Executing this...do I have to be spraying the starter fluid at the same time as turning the key? Or can I Spray, then head up to the ignition switch and turn key? I am often solo when do this.

Adam

[ndutton]

I have a question for clarity about the fill cap test. Did you remove the cap immediately after a shutdown?

[AFisch]

I have a question for clarity about the fill cap test. Did you remove the cap immediately after a shutdown?

Yes, I ran the engine as is...it shut down, then I removed the Cap and tried to Re-Start.

Do you think I should have done it a different way? Maybe remove cap before even trying to fire her up the first time?

[ndutton]

Do you think I should have done it a different way? Maybe remove cap before even trying to fire her up the first time?

Nope, it's a diagnostic test for a cause of the shutdown and you did it correctly. I wasn't clear that it was done immediately after shutdown as most tests should be.

Did we ever get a spark test?

[joe_db]

I want to mention again pressure and vacuum gauges. $30 worth of eBay gauges can save 30 hours of random attempts at repairs based on guesswork. A fuel pressure gauge needs to be liquid filled and the vent at the top OPEN to work correctly. Without liquid the needle jumps around too much and without opening the rubber plug a bit the sealed up air inside causes the pressure to change with the temperature of the gauge.
The vacuum gauge doesn't need liquid filling to work.

[Dave Neptune]

A couple of cheap gages will eliminate the guessing.

Diagnosing is a process of elimination and nothing can be eliminated without a lot of guessing without gages. With gages and a "timely" spark test you will have good info and not just a guess.
Boats are usually to far away to waste time guessing and gages are cheap and easily monitored for performance of the engine.

Dave Neptune

[edwardc]

Thanks Edward...I will try this. Quick question on Executing this...do I have to be spraying the starter fluid at the same time as turning the key? Or can I Spray, then head up to the ignition switch and turn key? I am often solo when do this.

Adam

You can spray it first and then try to crank. There will be enough in the carb throat to do something iff there's spark.

A remote starter switch is really uesful when testing solo. $13 at Harbor Freight:

https://www.harborfreight.com/12-volt-remote-starter-switch-35448.html