Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Owner Discussion Groups > Discussion Groups > Grampian

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #51   IP: 174.218.139.155
Old 11-29-2017, 08:54 AM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
So yesterday we left Beaufort SC and right after we crossed the Port Royal Sound we noticed that the A4 was hiccuping and the rpms were racing up and down all on their own. So we figured we got water in the fuel again and needed to change the filter... again.

We got to Bahia Bleu Marina South of Savannah GA (Thunderbolt was full) and proceeded to change the water separator. We dumped the filter into a clear bottle to see what was in it and there was definitely water but there was also a bunch of red colored sediment. Weird right?

So while we were doing Boat yoga anyway we decided to change the spark plugs and check the oil. The plugs were slightly carboned, but in good enough condition that we kept the for spares.

After the filter change and the new plugs we looked the motor over and noticed the the flame arrester was really clogged so we cleaned it.

Then we fired her up and she ran like a champ so we decided that while we were tied to the dock we put her in gear. She ran just fine. No burps no racing rpms.

This morning we started her up and she seems to be struggling. She barfed out a bunch of carbon (first time that’s happened on this trip) The rpms are racing up and down, oil pressure is jumping around between 35 and 42 lbs. Every now and then she almost falls flat on her face and I noticed a bit of a ticking noise. So I added a little extra marvels this morning to help lube anything that might be getting stuck.

I’m thinking it might be the fuel pump again. What do you guys think?
—Trina
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #52   IP: 72.194.221.203
Old 11-29-2017, 10:22 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
If all else fails check the prop to be sure it is clear. This does not cover the jammed up back flame arrestor and "barfing" carbon.......... Did you get some bad gas?

TRUE GRIT

Last edited by JOHN COOKSON; 11-29-2017 at 05:52 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #53   IP: 174.218.139.155
Old 11-29-2017, 12:14 PM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
We’ve gotten ethanol free gas the last few gas stops, but really bad gas is always an issue from marinas.

In idle yesday she was free spinning just fine, but I plan on having the diver check the prop because we did hit a few deadheads in the Dismal Swamp.

It’s really weird though, we just went through Hell agate and she ran burp free for about an hour and now she’s falling on her face and then coming back up.... I think we’re gonna change he fuel pump when we anchor. Already got the solar shower out for after we play in the gas.

—Trina
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"

Last edited by PT26; 11-29-2017 at 12:18 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #54   IP: 75.8.77.10
Old 11-29-2017, 01:11 PM
Marian Claire's Avatar
Marian Claire Marian Claire is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,797
Thanks: 33
Thanked 129 Times in 94 Posts
PT26. Do you have a fuel pressure gauge and if so what is it reading?
Dan S/V Marian Claire
Edit. This may be of interest or just confusing???? http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8205

Last edited by Marian Claire; 11-29-2017 at 01:27 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #55   IP: 174.218.139.155
Old 11-29-2017, 01:37 PM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
No, we never installed the pressure guage, despite Hanley’s advice LOl. The A4 just fell on her face. We dropped the outboard Aux motor and started sailing. 10 miles to the anchorage and we’re changing the fuel pump whether it is the culprit or not, hopefully the issue will be solved....


Tonight’s bug infested anchorage and motor work should be exhausting! LOL
Welcome to Georgia
-Trina
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #56   IP: 71.178.88.87
Old 11-29-2017, 10:30 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
Rolling south!

+1 on the fuel pressure gauge.
__________________
-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
  #57   IP: 174.218.140.127
Old 11-30-2017, 07:25 AM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Good morning guys!

First thing we’re getting in St Augustine is a Fuel Pressure guage.

Last night we ripped the boat apart. Stair came out, walls came out, we replaced the fuel pump (no change) we replaced the water fuel separator (no change). Then we tried starting her up and we had no oil pressure, so we changed the oil (now she’s not starting at all) we changed the coil (no change) we checked the spark plugs (just fine) we cleaned the distributor cap.... points

The darned points had no gap. So we adjusted them to .020, fired her up and WHA-LA! We are up and running again.

Not sure how the points changed, we just put them in and adjusted them, everything was tight.

So anyway we are moving forward with the current right now, steaming at 7.2 knots and running from the noseeums that I can totally see!
-Trina
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #58   IP: 75.8.77.10
Old 11-30-2017, 08:25 AM
Marian Claire's Avatar
Marian Claire Marian Claire is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,797
Thanks: 33
Thanked 129 Times in 94 Posts
Swami says "I see EI in your future." Glad you are back up and running. You probable know this but there have been some major changes in some spots on the AICW. A friend has been reporting back as he moves south, they are in Vero now, and has mentioned changes at the St Johns crossing, New Smyrna Beach area and St Augustine. Active Captain has posts about these areas. As always if in doubt follow what is on the water.
Dan S/V Marian Claire
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Marian Claire For This Useful Post:
sastanley (11-30-2017)
  #59   IP: 24.152.132.65
Old 11-30-2017, 09:20 AM
ndutton's Avatar
ndutton ndutton is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,619
Thanks: 198
Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,425 Posts
Can you estimate the combined time the ignition was energized during this no-start episode with the new coil installed?
__________________
Neil
1977 Catalina 30
San Pedro, California
prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
Reply With Quote
  #60   IP: 71.178.88.87
Old 11-30-2017, 11:12 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
Trina/Paul. I had a '78 Civic with a bad (slightly stripped) adjuster screw on the points..it would rattle loose and close up the points on me if I ran her too long..

+1 what Dan said...I think we have enough good data on this forum that you can safely switch to electronic ignition and never worry about it again.
__________________
-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
The Following User Says Thank You to sastanley For This Useful Post:
Administrator (12-01-2017)
  #61   IP: 174.218.2.170
Old 12-01-2017, 07:02 AM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marian Claire View Post
Swami says "I see EI in your future." Glad you are back up and running. You probable know this but there have been some major changes in some spots on the AICW. A friend has been reporting back as he moves south, they are in Vero now, and has mentioned changes at the St Johns crossing, New Smyrna Beach area and St Augustine. Active Captain has posts about these areas. As always if in doubt follow what is on the water.
Dan S/V Marian Claire
Yes there have been some real changes!
Thanks for the heads up Dan!
We saw 9 ft of water at high tide in Jekyll island with the high tide being 7.9 ft
So glad we were warned by a local up north of here to slide in with the tide!
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #62   IP: 174.218.2.170
Old 12-01-2017, 07:09 AM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by ndutton View Post
Can you estimate the combined time the ignition was energized during this no-start episode with the new coil installed?
Hi Neil, I'm not sure how long it was energized, but when I found the points problem I took the one off and went to a new one.
I wasn't sure if it would have been damaged during the whole episode.
We were at anchor in bugville Georgia and didn't want to break down because I should have changed it.
I think I have an I.E. Somewhere on the boat when we land I'm thinking I should dive into this.
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #63   IP: 24.152.132.65
Old 12-01-2017, 08:58 AM
ndutton's Avatar
ndutton ndutton is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Torrance, CA
Posts: 9,619
Thanks: 198
Thanked 2,208 Times in 1,425 Posts
That was my concern Paul, whether the coil was replaced before or after the closed points were discovered. If before, the new coil would have been stressed and therefore untrustworthy. Now that we are sure it was replaced after, all good.

Be sure you are up to speed on what the forum knows about the amperage considerations with EI and how to measure, calculate and manage it.
__________________
Neil
1977 Catalina 30
San Pedro, California
prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others

Last edited by ndutton; 12-01-2017 at 09:00 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #64   IP: 100.36.89.105
Old 12-01-2017, 11:17 AM
edwardc's Avatar
edwardc edwardc is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Laurel, MD
Posts: 2,509
Thanks: 153
Thanked 595 Times in 388 Posts
Just another voice on the EI + side.

We have the ignitor/Pertronix-distributor combination, and it has been absolutely trouble free for eight seasons.

Jekyll Island was one of the stops we really enjoyed. Took a slip at the marina and explored the island using the free loaner bikes. The have the best network of bike paths throughout the island that I have seen anywhere!
__________________
@(^.^)@ Ed
1977 Pearson P-323 "Dolce Vita"
with rebuilt Atomic-4


Last edited by edwardc; 12-01-2017 at 11:20 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #65   IP: 174.218.5.110
Old 12-01-2017, 04:26 PM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!
I'm not sure which I.E. I have on the boat I need to search through various parts in the boat to find it.

Jekyll is one of our favorite spots too! We'll have to check out the marina. All the islands on this stretch are great stops!

If anyone is headed this way when you leave Jekyll island and head south take a starboard turn after red 30 and aim at the lighthouse. It's a nice cut instead of going all the way out to the last red and then back in. It's deep all the way across.

We are in Florida and its 75 today, finally warm weather, the A4 ran like a dream all day even pushing 5 knots against the heavy current this morning!
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #66   IP: 174.228.12.1
Old 12-30-2017, 01:20 PM
PT26's Avatar
PT26 PT26 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Delaware
Posts: 257
Thanks: 1
Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts
In the Keys

Just thought I would post an update.
The A4 has been working like a dream, she’s a work horse of a motor!
We had a great sail across the gulf about a week ago or so to the Keys.
I was surprised to see the clean up was moving so quickly down here.
It was a chilly morning today 68 degrees!
I am bummed out no race week in Key West but we all know why.
We’ll be here until February and then off to explorer the anchorages in Keys.
__________________
Paul
S/V PT26
1971 Grampian G26 W/A4


"The Devil never comes to you with a pitchfork and a ball of fire"
Reply With Quote
  #67   IP: 71.178.87.157
Old 12-30-2017, 03:20 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
Paul & Trina, thanks for the update! This is the first year I won't be in Key West for Race Week in almost 20 years!
__________________
-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
  #68   IP: 76.7.101.46
Old 12-30-2017, 06:15 PM
Marian Claire's Avatar
Marian Claire Marian Claire is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,797
Thanks: 33
Thanked 129 Times in 94 Posts
[IMG][/IMG]Have enjoyed following your trip. When you leave Boot Key I recommend anchoring near Crawl Key in Big Spanish Channel if it fits in your plan and the WX is right. It is a short trip and a beautiful spot. Linda and I anchored there waiting for a NE wind to lay down so we could head over to Cape Sable. We anchored south of the mark on Active Captain. Clear water and patches of sand for the hook and areas of hard bottom with lots of critters in the area we used. Just turn on a light at night or drop some chum during the day, I used cat food, and the fish showed up.
Would like to have your thoughts after anchoring in Factory Bay. When I passed thru, many years ago, it was off limits due to a ongoing lawsuit.
Be safe out there.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

Last edited by Marian Claire; 12-31-2017 at 10:08 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Marian Claire For This Useful Post:
Administrator (12-30-2017), sastanley (12-30-2017)
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
From the Chesapeake to Gulf of Maine Bob N Cooling System 3 08-06-2014 06:08 AM
Charleston NC or further south, mechanic Sony2000 Good Guys 8 01-20-2013 08:39 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:12 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