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  #1   IP: 67.169.215.221
Old 06-08-2021, 08:09 PM
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Rebuilt engine will no longer run well

OK, got a weird problem that I can’t seem to diagnose.

Background: I did a full rebuild of the motor and it was running well with likely 6 hours on it. A little hard starting but ran well one started… and was on my list to diagnose later. The next trip up I discovered a coolant link due to an exhaust stud leak from the coolant size. The weird thing was that the motor wouldn’t start as well. So I got a new manifold from MMI swapped the old one out, then noticing that the core plugs on the manifold had slowly leaked on to the carb. So I figured that may be part of the problem with not starting.

So cleaned up the carb, but did not rebuild it, and when I tried to start the engine, no joy. After many attempts, I finally tried only closing the choke halfway and opening the throttle about half as well and could get the motor to fire a bit but then promptly died. A few more attempts and no real improvement. I then thought that “well everything else on the engine is new, I’ll buy a new carb from MMI” and then rebuild the old one at my leisure. So when I put on the new carb, main jet 1.5 turn out from seat… on an the engine ran a tiny bit better, but would now die in 12-15 secs or when I released the choke.

I then checked pretty much everything, fuel gauge at the carb show 3.5 PSI, the polishing filter is new, I triple checked the distributor wires, made sure the carb was lubed and the advance was not stuck. The spark plugs are wet and black t and looks like it’s running rich but the insulated tip it a decent shade of brown (not tan). I checked the cap and rotor, no carbon traces and yes, I have lots of spark. I zero timed the engine three times and finally, with my engine mojo confidence greatly diminished… I even re-watched Don’s video on timing the engine, just I case I had a mini-stroke or something similar.

On the 2.5 hour drive home I was puzzling through what I could have missed and the only hail-mary I could determine was there was air leak I introduced somewhere… but that was an afterthought.

One thing about the engine that is not stellar is the distributor has a lot of slop in linear (up-down) shaft. But when I looked that the cut of the gears and rotation of the shaft, I determined the an slop would get "pulled down". Plus it worked well for the first 5-6 hours.

Other ideas of things to try? This my 3rd A4 and the first two I got to purr… but this one is vexing. ☹
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  #2   IP: 104.174.83.118
Old 06-08-2021, 09:10 PM
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ndutton ndutton is offline
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Sounds to me like it's time for a test run off an auxiliary fuel tank. Having 3.5 lbs. fuel pressure doesn't mean much if the fuel is 75% water.
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
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Last edited by ndutton; 06-08-2021 at 11:11 PM.
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Mo (06-09-2021)
  #3   IP: 47.142.129.155
Old 06-09-2021, 12:20 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstory View Post

After many attempts, I finally tried only closing the choke halfway and opening the throttle about half as well and could get the motor to fire a bit but then promptly died. A few more attempts and no real improvement. I then thought that “well everything else on the engine is new, I’ll buy a new carb from MMI” and then rebuild the old one at my leisure. So when I put on the new carb, main jet 1.5 turn out from seat… on an the engine ran a tiny bit better, but would now die in 12-15 secs or when I released the choke.

I then checked pretty much everything, fuel gauge at the carb show 3.5 PSI, the polishing filter is new, I triple checked the distributor wires, made sure the carb was lubed and the advance was not stuck. The spark plugs are wet and black t and looks like it’s running rich but the insulated tip it a decent shade of brown (not tan).
Recheck the choke adjustment to be sure it is all the way open\closed when you think it is.

ex TRUE GRIT
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  #4   IP: 67.169.215.221
Old 06-09-2021, 04:50 PM
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Neil--
Thanks! I haven't tried the aux fuel tank yet but the water separator filter was just serviced and there was no visible water in the gas when we replaced the tank. Also, using 87 octane ethanol-free, so less susceptible to absorbing water. That said, I'll next trip i'll bring my jerry can with the 1/4" spigot brazed in the bottom and some fuel line. With the McMaster-Carr flange fitting you turned me onto... it's a simple swap.

John--
I adjusted the choke and made sure it was fully open and shut when working the lever.

All--
Any other ideas?
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  #5   IP: 134.41.129.72
Old 06-09-2021, 09:21 PM
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Double check your plugs. Yesterday my wife and I did 35.3 nautical mile day sail in 18 knts...friggin awesome sail until I fired up the engine. Engine ran rough the 100 feet to the dock. No 4 had no fire and wet with gas... Had fire at the wire...changed out 1 month old plug for another new one. No change. So I automatically think I have more going on. This morning, changed cap rotor and wires from my backup set. No change. As an after thought I pulled an old plug from my tool box and low and behold, it ran perfect again. So one failed plug, pulled one from new box that didn't work and an old one set her straight.

Sometimes the issue is a little around the curve.

Hope that helps.
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  #6   IP: 45.49.35.172
Old 06-09-2021, 09:50 PM
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OPSS issue maybe?
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  #7   IP: 67.169.215.221
Old 06-10-2021, 01:12 PM
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Mo--
I purchased a set of AL 437 plugs, just in case and have an new cap and rotor on the way with my spare new set of MMI plug wires. I might just bring up a disti from my newly removed engine.

Ando--
I don't think it's an OPSS issue since I can watch the oil pressure rise to 25 PSI during cranking and I get fuel pressure at the carb from the electric Facet pump, so I know the OPSS is sending voltage to the pump.

The plan now is bring pretty much a spare ignition system (disti, cap, rotor, wires, plugs) and spare fuel tank with 87 octane clear gas and all the fuel connections. Heck, I'll clean/rebuild the old carb as well.

Any other wisdom, thoughts, ideas, suggestions? The more the merrier.
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