Shutoff and Milky Sheen on exhaust

[cfergu22]

I have 2 separate problems that might be related.

Problem #1 happened 2 days in a row on almost the exact circumstances...

After a 5 hour motor a cruising speed I put the engine to idle about 1/4 mile from the dock to put fenders out, and get lines ready. It idled for about a minute then shut off. I could not get it to start back up by cranking. I was by myself so I couldn't check for spark, but I know I was not out of fuel. I docked under sail and about 20 minutes later the engine started right up without problems. The exact thing happened the next day.

Problem #2, Not sure if this is related.

There seems to be a milky sheen on the water when i'm idling at the dock or coming in under power. It might coming out all the time but I don't see it when we're motoring because of the turbulence in the water.

Any suggestions for what to look at systematically because overall the engine is running great so I don't want to start digging around and cause a bigger problem.

Thanks,

Collin

[Dave Neptune]

Collin, sounds like a coil failing. You need to check spark when she dies to be sure but it sounds like a typical coil failure. Although the coils usually "open" (the failure) after a hour or two sometimes more.

Good sign is that when you dropped back to idle for a few minutes. This is kinda like turning off most of the cooling as from running at power with good temp and heat removal but the heat that is built up in the engine has no where to go when the water flow slows so the engine temp will rise a bit then stabilize. This rise in temp may just have been enough to open the coil.

Get a coil and or a remote start button so you can check spark a must of two diagnostic tools needed on the A-4. The other is a fuel pressure gage, both about a 25 buck investment in "wow this is easy to check".

A bit of info on how the engine died would also help, IE did it sputter a bit and die or just shut off?

Dave Neptune

[roadnsky]

Collin-
A few questions...

• Did you use CHOKE when you tried the re-start?
• Did you close the WATER INTAKE when it wouldn't start?
• Are you POINTS or EI?
• Can you describe the MILKY SHEEN a little more? Was it actually a milky color?

and as Dave asked...
• Was it a sudden shutdown or a stumble and die?

[cfergu22]

I would say it shuttered for a few seconds and then died. But that is just my recollection. I wish I would have remembered it better but I was so focused on getting it back started that I didn't really pay attention.

It is electronic ignition.

I did try the choke, it didn't have any effect.
I did close the intake after a few tries.
I'll take a video of the sheen next time I go down but it's white-ish and like a film. It does not look like fuel does if you have a drop go into the water.

The next time it happens I will take a mental note if it is a sudden shut down. I also will hopefully have time to check to see if there is spark.

Thanks

[roadnsky]

It is electronic ignition.

I'll take a video of the sheen next time I go down but it's white-ish and like a film. It does not look like fuel does if you have a drop go into the water.

Well, like Dave said, sounds like coil. The spark test will help us.

The sheen on the water is a new one to me.
A video is cool but even just a pic or two would help.

[Joe Miller]

It does sound like a coil problem I experienced.
There is a joke at my club, " if Joe's boat is sinking, check the coil".

You will also find some epic coil discussions on this forum from several years ago with electronic ignition being front and center.

Joe