One for the books - first time A4 owner - Pulling Hair!

[Surcouf]

No the firing order is 1243, but 3&4 were crossed up because I was following that same sequence on the distributer cap. When looking at the cap, the order is sequential.
.

Every few months, somebody does it... and I fill less stupid once put back in the right order, it purrs like a kitten, and the anger of having been stupid is challenged by the profound pleasure of the new, joyful, smooth, and stable low rpm running ! enjoy!

[Rando1201]

Well, I goofed this one up. I reset the timing, added MMO to the cylinders, boat won't start.

[joe_db]

You violated 2 Prime Directives:
1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
2. Don't fix 2 things at once.
Assuming you didn't do some third unknown thing, either the timing is too far off to even start or the plugs are too oil-fouled to fire. Or both.

[Rando1201]

You violated 2 Prime Directives:
1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
2. Don't fix 2 things at once.
Assuming you didn't do some third unknown thing, either the timing is too far off to even start or the plugs are too oil-fouled to fire. Or both.

Yep. I gotta slow down. One little engine...

[Dave Neptune]

How did you reset the timing? Very small movements at a time!

The MMO will burn off and the plugs may be fouled.

No start = start from scratch.
Check for spark
Check for fuel
Compression probably still fine

Did you try using "motor crack" (start fluid)?

Dave Neptune

[Rando1201]

How did you reset the timing? Very small movements at a time!

The MMO will burn off and the plugs may be fouled.

No start = start from scratch.
Check for spark
Check for fuel
Compression probably still fine

Did you try using "motor crack" (start fluid)?

Dave Neptune

well, I got myself tucked into a lazerette, a socket wrench on the flywheel, found when compression was hitting the #1 cylinder with my thumb, roll pin straight up and down. Then followed the rest of the instructions with the distributor cap and rotor. The only thing that I had noticed, is that when I was using the continuity tester, I could only get the light to come on with the ignition switch turned on. And the light would stay on no matter how much I turned the distrubuter.

[Dave Neptune]

The "continuity" method of setting timing won't work with most EI's. And with the power left on there is a good chance you fried another coil. They can't be left "on" long without running as they will overheat internally and open a winding!

Try this, get #1 on the compression stroke and as close to TDC as you can get it .
Now be sure the distributor is loose enough you can twist it by hand with little force.
Now remove the cap and check to see that the rotor is pointed at the #1 plug wire lug on the distributor. Adjust the rotation accordingly to line them up. And again be sure that the wires are in order and going to the correct plug.

Now it is time to try and start. Be sure the idle screw is about 1 3/4 turns off the seat, which would be a bit rich an a good carb and an easier start. Now spray a bit of motor crack in the throat of the carb and hit the key. If it starts let it warm a bit or give the distributor a twist first of about 1/4" (not much) either way if it improves try a bit more or if it's worse try the other way. Just get it to run for a bit so it's warmed up.

NOTE the distributor rotated at 1/2 speed so a 5* on the distributor is 10* of timing, so small twists!

Once warmed you can power time the engine or go through the process of setting a timing mark up your self, many of us have and most have not.

Dave Neptune

[Dave Neptune]

If you are unsure of power timing send me a PM and I will try to talk you through it.

Dave Neptune

[Rando1201]

The "continuity" method of setting timing won't work with most EI's. And with the power left on there is a good chance you fried another coil. They can't be left "on" long without running as they will overheat internally and open a winding!

Try this, get #1 on the compression stroke and as close to TDC as you can get it .
Now be sure the distributor is loose enough you can twist it by hand with little force.
Now remove the cap and check to see that the rotor is pointed at the #1 plug wire lug on the distributor. Adjust the rotation accordingly to line them up. And again be sure that the wires are in order and going to the correct plug.

Now it is time to try and start. Be sure the idle screw is about 1 3/4 turns off the seat, which would be a bit rich an a good carb and an easier start. Now spray a bit of motor crack in the throat of the carb and hit the key. If it starts let it warm a bit or give the distributor a twist first of about 1/4" (not much) either way if it improves try a bit more or if it's worse try the other way. Just get it to run for a bit so it's warmed up.

NOTE the distributor rotated at 1/2 speed so a 5* on the distributor is 10* of timing, so small twists!

Once warmed you can power time the engine or go through the process of setting a timing mark up your self, many of us have and most have not.

Dave Neptune

Ok the power wasn't left on, it was only on while I was using the tester. About the coil, I did swap it out for one that requires a resistor, which I wired red from the distributor. I had a timing mark when I did this initially in my garage. Funny that the continuity method worked when I did this last april in my grage. but im gonna go back there tonight, and do it all over again. I messed something up.

[Rando1201]

If you are unsure of power timing send me a PM and I will try to talk you through it.

Dave Neptune

Thanks Dave, Ill do it. I totally understand the concept. One thing I haven't told you is that when I initially got the motor I had my fiance cut out an exhaust gasket. Well she got frustrated, never finished it out. so i installed the gasket with out the hole in it. Forgot about it for about a month, in that months time. I did everything to get it running in my garage. Timing was one of those things that I must of done 5 times or more.

[Rando1201]

Now the plugs are getting soaked. Is there anyway to burn off the mmo?

[Rando1201]

Alright so I went and reset the timing. Took me three tries. There's still some smoke, but much less at idle and I'm mainly only seeing it when I put a load on it in gear.

[roadnsky]

Every few months, somebody does it... and I fill less stupid once put back in the right order, it purrs like a kitten...

For future viewers of this thread, here is a diagram...

[joe_db]

Alright so I went and reset the timing. Took me three tries. There's still some smoke, but much less at idle and I'm mainly only seeing it when I put a load on it in gear.

Don't worry about it for now. The engine just might burn a little oil or it may all burn off.

[Rando1201]

Ok went down there today. Used the permatex #2 , almost fixed the leak. Also fixed my oil pressure adjustment valve. The engine seems pretty dialed. I ran the boat through out the harbor. Did big 360s used reverse. Tested doing bursts of throttle. At first I thought the engine had no power . I was kinda bummed, but now I am very very happy. Every thing is so smooth I mean its seamless from idle to gear. No bogging or lagging in the throttle acceleration. I think I may have a small exhaust leak or intake leak. I hear a very very slight hissing.