Engine won't start and I'm at my wits-end

[ghaegele]

Quick note on the choke not closing: I had a recent hard start problem that I tracked down to a frozen swivel on the choke lever (the screw clamp on the wire should swivel). Since it was frozen it stressed the wire in the cable when I closed it and forced itself back open a bit. This was enough to prevent it from starting. Once I replaced the lever, starting problem solved.

[ChicagoNewport27]

I'd say Tenders is on the correct trail with the timing being off 180 deg. It sounds like the dist. was put back on with the #1 cylinder @TDC on the Exhaust stroke and not intake stroke. At least you know the flame arrestor is doing it's job or you would have seen flames and not smoke.

I hope its as simple as that! I'll definitely investigate more tonight.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Yay!

SUCCESS!!!

Turns out after the last re-timing, I had placed the distributor 90 degrees out of timing. I re-timed everything and she fired right up.

SEE FOR YOURSELVES!



Starting her up...

[YOUTUBE]nQeYE3jvFxA[/YOUTUBE]



And the exhaust seems to be spitting out water, too.

[YOUTUBE]nWR5fgS7j0g[/YOUTUBE]





I was running out of daylight this evening, but in the next couple days I'll take a spin around the harbor to see how she holds up in gear and under power.

Since I still have the alternator out, I'm going to take it to have it tested at an auto shop.

To all that helped and sent me well wishes and good vibes... THANK YOU!

[marthur]

Good job!

Isn't it satisfying? I think it is even more so when you have done all the work yourself.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Satisfying is correct, yes, but it seems like an understatement.

I've had the boat for 3 years, and this engine problem has always stymied me. The PO had the boat for 13 years before that, and apparently he gave up at some point and just put an outboard on the back. For this engine to roar to life like that was completely fulfilling.

I'm walking around the office today like I just climbed Everest. One coworker came into my office, closed the door, and said, "Man, you're like glowing today. Did you get l*id or something?"

"No," I said, " Something better. I finally got my engine running." He gave me a completely puzzled look and walked out.

Some people just wont understand the feeling of peace and contentment and accomplishment I'm carrying around today, and that's fine.

Tomorrow, I'll get back to work on that neverending sailboat task list. But today... today... I'm gonna just savor this for a day.

Thanks again folks!

Sincerely,
Ken "sporting a new sh*t-eating grin" Wallace

[roadnsky]

As GOOD As ...

Sweeeeet!
Nothing like that feeling...

...well, almost nothing.

[Mark S]

Hope you and your A4 enjoy good health for years to come.

Mark S

[P30_889]

Congrats!

Hope I am next in line to get my A4 running. Have a great season.

[MikeB.330]

Good job, I'm glad you stuck with it. I'd say that Tenders is due a bottle of Pussers rum or at least a case of beer.

Enjoy your boat.

Mike

[67c&ccorv]

Great work Mr. Wallace - now the real work begins!

Just kidding, great to see you got the old girl running...good stuff and great work with the Youtube vid's!!!

[tenders]

Ha! Good for you. So, the original problem here since the previous owner gave up on the engine years ago was...what? The pinched condenser wire?

What a rush to have gotten the engine going never having seen it running before!

[ChicagoNewport27]

Ha! Good for you. So, the original problem here since the previous owner gave up on the engine years ago was...what? The pinched condenser wire?

What a rush to have gotten the engine going never having seen it running before!

Let's make a list:

• "crudded-up", clogged fuel tank, which also was leaking fuel into the bilge
• fuel vent clogged
• cracked, leaking fuel lines to/from the fuel filter
• aging fuel filter that would not pass fuel
• cracked, aging spark plug wires
• cracked distributor cap
• points badly corroded
• alternator nonfunctioning
• spark plug wires attached in the wrong firing order
• engine out of time
• condensor wire pinched under distributor cap
• engine irresponsibly wired, leading to me connecting the batteries backwards (which is what likely killed the alternator and a couple coils).
• various instruments connected to the coil shorted out.
• aging wire from distributor to negative side of the coil had a short and required replacement.
• broken throttle cable

.... and that's just what I've found SO FAR!

Not to mention the mistakes that I made, including shorting out my Ignitor electronic ignition and mis-timing the distibutor 90 degrees out of time.

*sigh*

Alls well that ends well.

[rigspelt]

Sweet! Congrats, and great thread.

[smosher]

AWESOME, I saw a beam a mile wide on the video

Steve

[domagami]

Chicago A4

Hi Ken -

Read this too late to be of help to you, but glad you got it resolved.

I'm in a similar situation: PO of 13 years, I've had it for three. I was without any engine skills when I took on this boat, and so it's been a long slow education on my A4 issues but I'm getting there. My most recent problems were similar to yours - related to the distributor.

You are in Chicago? If I can lend a hand or offer numbers for a mechanic please let me know. I'm in Chicago at Montrose, B dock.

As you say, I can sail into the slip (at night, upwind, without any power) but I'd rather have the engine reliably turn over.

Best,

Mick,
4932300@gmail.com