Revs down and shuts off! HELP

[SailingReckless]

My A4 starts great/runs great for about 3min then quits. There is a seacock where the fresh water comes in to prevent the engine flooding with water. I forgot to shut it. Started the engine and blew the head gasket. I replaced the head gasket. Although in the process 2 of the studs broke off. I had to retap the holes and put in new studs. Also the thermostat had a crack in it so I ordered a new one and replaced it. After getting the engine put back together she started great and ran great but stalls. I thought the issue was fuel. I put in a new water separating fuel filter. Took off the fuel pump and carb, cleaned them out and replaced with new gaskets. The engine is getting fuel. Once the engine gets up to temp it shuts down. Theres no temperature gauge installed. It’s spitting out water well. I have a YouTube channel. Sailing Reckless. Theres an episode called Don’t watch this unless you love engines. I think in that one you can see the engine.

[Marian Claire]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds as if your float valve may be sticking or only opening a little and not allowing fuel to refill the carb properly.
Dan
S/V Marian Claire

[Dave Neptune]

SR, does it die like it was shut off or sputter and shake to a stop? Do you have points?

Dave Neptune

[SailingReckless]

"Sounds as if your float valve may be sticking or only opening a little and not allowing fuel to refill the carb properly."

When I opened up the carburetor the float and pin both looked really good. Nothing that would lead me to believe that it may be sticking. What would cause that?

[SailingReckless]

"SR, does it die like it was shut off or sputter and shake to a stop? Do you have points?"
The engine starts easily and once started I can push the choke back in and throttle down to idle. Runs well for a few minutes and then just shuts down. No sputtering or shaking. More like the key got turned off. Throttling up or choking does not help keep it running. And...I don't know what points are!

[Marian Claire]

This may help.

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10837&highlight=float+adjustment

Dan
S/V Marian Claire

[lat 64]

"SR, does it die like it was shut off or sputter and shake to a stop? Do you have points?"
.... And...I don't know what points are!

Ignition breaker points.
I think Dave is wondering if your engine has been modified with a new "pointless" ignition set in the distributor.
Since this is unfamiliar stuff for you, we may have to do some remedial engine education. That's ok. Sometimes we talk way over the heads of non mech types. You would best be served to read up(or youtube) on basic spark ignition types. Ill post some resource links here soon.

https://youtu.be/W94iksaQwUo

[SailingReckless]

This may help.

http://www.moyermarineforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10837&highlight=float+adjustment

Dan
S/V Marian Claire

Ok, this is great! I will be taking the carb back off to have a more informed look at it. Thanks!

[SailingReckless]

Ignition breaker points.
I think Dave is wondering if your engine has been modified with a new "pointless" ignition set in the distributor.
Since this is unfamiliar stuff for you, we may have to do some remedial engine education. That's ok. Sometimes we talk way over the heads of non mech types. You would best be served to read up(or youtube) on basic spark ignition types. Ill post some resource links here soon.

https://youtu.be/W94iksaQwUo

I watched the video and now know what points are but I’m sorry I don’t know if I have the pointless set. I’m not at my boat right now so I can’t look at the model and try to search it. That said, I know that I do have compression in each cylinder and spark from each plug. Do you know what benefit this pointless system has? Do you think that if I still have the old version that it’s overheating or worn out causing the abrupt shut down?
And thank you for your patience

[Dave Neptune]

Info

RE the ignition, I was wondering if it just may be the "condenser or coil" but 3 minutes is a bit fast for those to open.

Do you have an electric fuel pump? If so check the oil pressure switch wiring as the fuel pump may only be working when cranking. Rare but possible.

We need to know a bit more about your engine and if it has been changed from original points & mechanical fuel pump.

Hoe is the wiring? Did you check for voltage at the coil when it dies?

Dave Neptune

[SailingReckless]

Last night I was reading a thread about fuel/air leaks. I would not doubt that I have one or several of these. I have recently figured something out....when something says hand tighten....that is meant for a man. My hand tighten usually isn't snug enough. However an issue I am running in to is that a lot of the metal is soft and tools are rounding parts over

[Dave Neptune]

SR, rounding off parts(?) do you mean nuts a bolts rounding? If so sounds more like bad tools or non factory rated stuff has been added. Also do not use open end wrenches whenever a 6 or 12 point will get on the hex far stronger and better on the nuts & bolts. Make sure they fit nice before twisting saves many a nut, bolt and knuckle.

Dave Neptune

[roadnsky]

I watched the video and now know what points are but I’m sorry I don’t know if I have the pointless set.
And thank you for your patience

Sailing...
You might just be a great candidate for some of Don's online videos.
Really detailed step-by-step instruction and for $12 boat bucks, it's a great deal.
The Carb Troubleshooting and Ignition Timing would both be recommended.

Available here on this site from our host.

[SailingReckless]

RE the ignition, I was wondering if it just may be the "condenser or coil" but 3 minutes is a bit fast for those to open.

Do you have an electric fuel pump? If so check the oil pressure switch wiring as the fuel pump may only be working when cranking. Rare but possible.

We need to know a bit more about your engine and if it has been changed from original points & mechanical fuel pump.

Hoe is the wiring? Did you check for voltage at the coil when it dies?

Dave Neptune

It has the mechanical fuel pump. I took it off and cleaned everything I could. I did notice a couple things yesterday that I’ll mention even though I have no idea if they relate to this. I had the key turned on, without cranking the engine over yet that day, for probably 5 minutes and the coil (ignition/distributor?) was hot to touch.
Last year when I turned the key over there was a buzzing sound down at the engine. This year no buzzing. Buzzing like a warning system. I don’t know if I disconnected a wire on accident🤦🏻*♀️ I’ll post pics of everything. I’m sure that will help. I’ll be at the boat tomorrow.

[SailingReckless]

SR, rounding off parts(?) do you mean nuts a bolts rounding? If so sounds more like bad tools or non factory rated stuff has been added. Also do not use open end wrenches whenever a 6 or 12 point will get on the hex far stronger and better on the nuts & bolts. Make sure they fit nice before twisting saves many a nut, bolt and knuckle.

Dave Neptune

There are two copper fuel lines that I believe can only be adjusted with crescent wrenches. The nuts on the lines are quite rounded. Hard to get those tightened on. Considering changing over to black lines that I’ve seen on other engines.