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: 63.139.175.34
Old 01-13-2020, 01:12 PM
Catfish Catfish is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 26
Thanks: 22
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Another stalls when put into gear thread

I'm in the process of getting an old A4 running in my "new to me" Catalina 30. After discovering and replacing a broken exhaust valve the engine still doesn't want to idle up and sometimes stalls when put into gear. I've checked the prop for fouling, checked and rechecked the firing order and timing, checked the exhaust (and even ran it disconnected to verify potential clogs/collapses) I've got compression and I have spark to all cylinders. I'm about to rebuild the carb but noticed last night that the ignition coil had oil in the top of it where the coil wire connects. Is this normal and could this be the source of my grief?
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 155.186.124.219
Old 01-13-2020, 01:49 PM
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
The coil should not leak oil, replace it. Not wanting to idle in gear is usually "tune" related. IE idle speed, idle mixture, timing and/or stuck C-advance or an air leak. Once you know the timing and spark are good and it still dies it would be time to look to the carb, fuel and fuel delivery.

Did you check the C-adv? How do the plugs look, piics would be nice? Are you sure the valves are adjusted properly and supplying good compression?

Dave Neptune
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 70.185.132.167
Old 01-13-2020, 03:20 PM
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
Is the choke adjusted correctly so the choke is open\closed all the way when you think it is?

ex TRUE GRIT
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 67.176.202.156
Old 01-13-2020, 03:56 PM
Sam Sam is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 322
Thanks: 490
Thanked 140 Times in 109 Posts
well, I am assuming "late" model A4. Does it have distributor points or electronic ignition?
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 99.255.196.148
Old 01-13-2020, 05:18 PM
Bratina Bratina is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 96
Thanks: 126
Thanked 26 Times in 17 Posts
I chased two stalling problems for a while, which I eventually fixed by:

1: clean fuel. I had around 10% water in my fuel, the engine would run at low power, but stumble and die in gear or under load. I pumped out the tank, replaced the Racor, changed a deck-fill o-ring (water had to come from somewhere).

2: low fuel pressure due to a blocked polishing filter. Same symptoms; I added a small in-line fuel pressure gauge after this incident, which would have narrowed down the possibilities rapidly. Changing the filter immediately cured this.

Are you sure you have clean, dry fuel? Do you have a fuel pressure gauge? I used a $20 'Mr Gasket' which users here recommended.
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 69.250.111.245
Old 01-13-2020, 09:06 PM
sastanley's Avatar
sastanley sastanley is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Solomons, MD
Posts: 7,016
Thanks: 1,134
Thanked 600 Times in 442 Posts
Thumbs up

Catfish, Welcome from a fellow C-30 owner!!

These are all good questions, and each one valid. Work thru all responses one by one and we can help. In addition to the data points you've already provided, we are gathering data to help diagnose the potential problem. If you aren't sure how to answer one, just ask, we can help (Advance, Electronic ignition, etc.)
__________________
-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
  #7   IP: 70.185.132.167
Old 01-14-2020, 12:49 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
Another Thought Or Two

Quote:
Originally Posted by Catfish View Post
the engine still doesn't want to idle up and sometimes stalls when put into gear.
How warmed up is the engine then you try to back off on the idle RPMs and shift into gear?

A cold A4 needs to warm up at fast idle for a minute or two before it will idle normal and shift into gear without stalling. A bit of choke usually will speed up the warm up process.

A good diagnostic test is to see if the engine runs better with a bit of choke. If it does there is a problem in the fuel system.

Welcome to the forum. Your engine will run correctly.

ex TRUE GRIT
Reply With Quote
  #8   IP: 35.143.197.21
Old 01-14-2020, 03:38 AM
Catfish Catfish is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 26
Thanks: 22
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
Whew. That's alot to take in lol. As far as timing I've just checked with a light to make sure I had the distributor close. I tuned by ear and the timing mark is close at idle. The engine now starts immediately, runs great, and has a responsive throttle. However when eased into forward gear struggles to stay running. I verified the choke was in the open position and the engine starts to bog down when I apply it while running. I ordered a replacement coil and cleaned the carb out. I also verified operation of the electric fuel pump and oil pressure switch. Hopefully I can find some time to get back at it tomorrow evening. I plan to delve into the distributor. It's a late model engine with points ignition. I haven't checked the advance or springs yet. Sorry if I'm missing some answers to your questions. I didn't expect so many responses....but I appreciate them!
Reply With Quote
  #9   IP: 138.207.175.104
Old 01-14-2020, 08:27 AM
Administrator's Avatar
Administrator Administrator is offline
MMI Webmaster
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Chestertown, MD (Langford Creek)
Posts: 2,198
Thanks: 1,335
Thanked 365 Times in 182 Posts
Just curious... Does it also bog down when you do the same thing in reverse?

Bill
Reply With Quote
  #10   IP: 71.38.107.125
Old 01-14-2020, 11:02 AM
roadnsky's Avatar
roadnsky roadnsky is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Lake Mead, NV
Posts: 3,104
Thanks: 24
Thanked 467 Times in 309 Posts
When was the last time you checked your STUFFING BOX?
__________________
-Jerry

'Lone Ranger'

1978 RANGER 30
Reply With Quote
  #11   IP: 174.228.15.113
Old 01-14-2020, 12:23 PM
Catfish Catfish is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Posts: 26
Thanks: 22
Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts
It goes into reverse just fine and stays running. I have spun the prop shaft by hand in neutral with ease, but I have not taken the stuffing box apart for repacking yet.
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
Just one more problem... engine stalls in forward gear infy Troubleshooting 15 06-23-2019 09:51 PM
A4 stalls in gear only Wavey Troubleshooting 49 08-22-2017 06:08 AM
idler gear conundrum azazzera Overhaul 2 07-02-2015 08:33 PM
rough running, put in gear and stalls. weremeer Troubleshooting 2 09-30-2009 03:56 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:47 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