Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Troubleshooting

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 172.58.175.6
Old 11-26-2021, 10:05 AM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Rebuild or no?

Good morning everyone,
I have a late model atomic 4 that I recently got running after is sat for a while. From what I understand it was rebuilt in the early 2000's and meticulously cared for by that owner. Then the boat was sold to someone that wanted a diesel so they pulled the motor. I suspect the set it on a pallet at the boat yard and covered it with a tarp and left it there until I picked it up. After some troubleshooting with the cooling system I got it running well with no water intrusion. When the boat is not in gear the motor will rev up as it is supposed to and behaves normally. However when in gear it will not exceed 1500 rpm. It reaches 1500 at about half throttle and stays at 1500 all the way to full throttle. I did a pressure test and got the following results:
1- 0psi
2- 65psi
3- 65psi
4- 75psi
My immediate assumption is that I need to rebuild the engine. I'm going to pull off the head and check to make sure I have no stuck valves or carbon buildup that's preventing them from sealing properly. So my question is, is there anything else I should look at before continuing with a rebuild? I have already pressure tested the water jacket in the block and manifold (and installed a new manifold because that was the root of my previous problem) and everything there checks out. As I am relatively new to this world of atomic 4's I just don't know if I'm missing something obvious that could solve my problem, but in what knowledge I do have of similar engines, I suspect worn piston rings possibly from sitting on the pallet in the boat yard for who knows how long. Any help or advice would be appreciated!
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 162.245.50.230
Old 11-26-2021, 10:41 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,035
Thanks: 711
Thanked 1,289 Times in 839 Posts
No rebuild yet! A stuck or sticky valve is probably causing the zero cylinder~~no biggie. The low numbers are not that bad and could easily be sticky rings from sitting or the results of a poor test.

I would add some TCW-3 (synthetic 2 stroke oil) or MMO to fresh fuel at around 100:1 mix.

SPRAY some penetrating oil or lubricant of some sort into each cylinder and let it sit for a day or two. Leave the plugs out and kick her over with the starter once in a while to mix and shake thing up.

Check the centrifugal advance for smooth operation, especially since she has been sitting.

After a few days and/or even some trying to loosen the offending valve with an Allen wrench gently.

Now start her up again and let her run for a bit at various RPM's and stay below 2,000. She may just shake the stuck valve loose and the added oil to the fuel will get in a begin lubricating. Once done let her cool for a few hours and do a compression check.

The compression check should be done with the throttle at full, the choke open, all plugs removed and fully charged batteries.
First do the dry test and record the numbers. Now do a wet test by spraying some oil into the cylinders one at a time and conduct the "wet" test again recording the numbers. Get those numbers back to us for further evaluation.

No need to rebuild unless something is broke or a knocking bearing journal.

Dave Neptune
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dave Neptune For This Useful Post:
Mo (11-29-2021), Sam (11-26-2021), TimBSmith (11-26-2021)
  #3   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 11-26-2021, 11:33 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
^ what he said.
I would bet that nothing is going on other than stuck rings and valves. You can also do a "MMO Tuneup". Get the engine warmed up and start pouring MMO in the carb slowly. When the engine starts to bog down shut her off. Come back in an hour and fire back it back up, once the smoke clears you may have unstuck what needs unsticking At the very least you'll annoy the neighbors with a big cloud of smoke
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to joe_db For This Useful Post:
Sam (11-26-2021)
  #4   IP: 172.58.168.16
Old 11-26-2021, 02:33 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Sounds good, I've had it running for a while now while trying to figure out what to do with it. Every time I go out to the boat I run it for anywhere from 30mins to an hour to make sure everything is moving properly. I'll give some of these ideas a try and do the tests and post the numbers.
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 172.58.171.104
Old 11-27-2021, 07:47 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
So I went out today and tried first the mmo trick pouring it in the carb, after waiting a while and starting her again it sounded better but still not exceeding 1500-2000 rpm in forward gear. Before leaving the boat I sprayed some penatrating oil into the cylinders, aimed at the valves mainly. I'm letting that sit till tomorrow where I'll give her another start and do the wet and dry compression test. I'll post those results here tomorrow.
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 138.207.177.95
Old 11-28-2021, 07:55 AM
joe_db's Avatar
joe_db joe_db is online now
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,474
Thanks: 49
Thanked 1,026 Times in 721 Posts
1500 and 2000 are not the same thing. Plenty of boats that are somewhat over-propped or have dirty props don't get much past 2000.
I would try a compression test again soon and see where you are.
Reply With Quote
  #7   IP: 165.225.20.168
Old 11-28-2021, 10:08 AM
Surcouf's Avatar
Surcouf Surcouf is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 361
Thanks: 328
Thanked 163 Times in 123 Posts
compression test will confirm if valve is free
many many threads in the past months on stuck valves, a classic. Such as this one
https://www.moyermarineforum.com/for...ad.php?t=11680

Patience is key. Good luck

once compression is good, getting into the max RPM, type of prop, hulls, max speed, pro and dirty props... is one of the most debated subject, as it is at the corner of having a good working engine (without ignition grimlins, lack of fuel of air), no shaft line issue, clean hull, the right prop etc... Once again, I can only advice to read manny threads here, and keep an open mind: many owners realize the PO installed a large 3 blades prop that could never go above 2000 rpm.
__________________
Surcouf
A nostalgic PO - Previously "Almost There" - Catalina 27 (1979)
Reply With Quote
  #8   IP: 172.58.174.129
Old 11-28-2021, 10:59 AM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
I know that I have a 2 blade prop on there, however I do believe that it may need to be cleaned so I'm gonna go under to do that soon, I'm working on putting a hookah rig together to clean the whole bottom.
Reply With Quote
  #9   IP: 172.58.174.129
Old 11-28-2021, 11:03 AM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
I also have had a running engine on the boat before and we moved much faster than the last time I tried. I was able to motor through about 4' seas, the last time I tried a light current was to strong for the motor to move against.
Reply With Quote
  #10   IP: 73.27.33.134
Old 11-29-2021, 07:52 AM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
So yesterday was an unfortunate day, I tried to start the engine and realized the starter went bad, and when trying to do the compression test with the hand crank I realized that my pressure tester was broken. So, I have a spare starter but I won't be able to go back out to the boat until at least next weekend. So I'll pick up a new pressure tester and I sprayed some penatrating oil into the no compression cylinder to let it sit for the week. While cranking I was feeling no compression out of cylinder 1 still so I'm hoping that letting it sit for a week in the penatrating oil will loosen things up a bit.
Reply With Quote
  #11   IP: 172.58.129.146
Old 01-02-2022, 04:33 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Hello everyone, so sorry for the long wait since my last post. I finally got to do the compression test after running all of the suggested solutions and here were the results.
Dry:
#1 - 0
#2 - 80
#3 - 80
#4 - 90

Wet:
#1 - 0
#2 - 80
#3 - 70
#4 - 80

Despite the 0 reading on the pressure tester I can now feel some compression coming out of cylinder #1. So far Ive run MMO and sea foam through it in the same manner as described earlier in the thread along with trying to unstick the suspect valve with PB Blaster. I am running more MMO through it now and plan to let some PB Blaster soak in there for the next week or so to hopefully get some more compression out of it. At least the rest of my numbers improved!
Reply With Quote
  #12   IP: 69.251.78.78
Old 01-02-2022, 08:14 PM
scratchee scratchee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 97
Thanks: 27
Thanked 44 Times in 28 Posts
Brimikeg,

That was my thread that was linked in an earlier reply. I'm not any kind of expert, but I did have a similar problem and was able to fix it (with plenty of help from this forum, of course!) I have one question and one suggestion:

Do you hear a loud ticking sound when the engine is running? That sound is what clued me in that I had a problem.

After several days of penetrating oil applications (though the sparkplug hole), what finally freed up my valve was spraying Seafoam into the air intake (also called the flame arrestor, at the front of the carb) while the engine was running. I would spray until the engine started to die, then stop spraying until it smoothed out again, then start spraying again. At some point the engine became much smoother and the RPM jumped noticeably: my valve was free! This approach might work for you too.

Last edited by scratchee; 01-03-2022 at 11:19 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #13   IP: 72.69.179.178
Old 01-03-2022, 11:43 AM
tenders tenders is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Harlem YC, City Island, NY
Posts: 1,439
Thanks: 46
Thanked 259 Times in 170 Posts
A valve stuck the up position can be poked down with a bit of prodding with an Allen wrench of suitable length. The valve is off to the outboard side of the spark plug hole - not directly underneath it. You can't both see in the hole and do the poking at the same time - you have to use The Force to do the poking.

Once you've gotten the valve moving up and down a few (dozen?) times, lubricating with MMO between pokes, very often the valve will start working again of its own volition.

(The theory behind this is that rust or carbon is causing the valve to hang up, and getting it moving knocks the schmutz off.)

(You might want to snake a small USB camera down into the plug hole of the sticking valve to see what's going on in there.)

(Also, just as a public service announcement, double/triple/quadruple check that your plug wires are in 1-2-4-3 order! It is incredibly easy to get them mixed up. I have little masking tape labels on my distributor cap and on the plug wires themselves.)
Reply With Quote
  #14   IP: 172.58.175.194
Old 01-03-2022, 12:46 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Scratchee,

Yes I do hear a loud ticking from the front cylinder, that is also what clued me into something not functioning right. I then looked and saw that the spark plug looked completely unused compared to the rest, despite them all having been replaced at the same time. The sea foam treatment you suggested is what helped bring the compression up in the rest of the cylinders and get the troublesome one to be blowing a little. My suspicion is that the valve is now opening a very small amount, here is why. Previously (before the sea foam treatment) I felt no air being blown out of the #1 cylinder whatsoever, and a compression check confirmed that. Also when I would fill the cylinder with either MMO or sea foam or penatrating oil, all would pool up when the exhaust valve was supposed to be open. Now however, after the sea foam treatment, I can deal some air being blown out the spark plug hole when cranking. Despite being able to feel it it seems to be not enough to read on the compression tester, also no liquid will pool up when the exhaust valve is supposed to be in the open position. However I cannot feel with the penatrating oil straw, that the valve opens fully. I will run more sea foam through it once I am back at the boat this weekend.
Reply With Quote
  #15   IP: 172.58.175.194
Old 01-03-2022, 12:52 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Tenders,
I will see about getting a small camera to look at the valves, I'll also see about trying to move the valve up and down with an Allen wrench. Thank you!
Reply With Quote
  #16   IP: 69.251.78.78
Old 01-03-2022, 07:29 PM
scratchee scratchee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 97
Thanks: 27
Thanked 44 Times in 28 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brimikeg View Post
Tenders,
I will see about getting a small camera to look at the valves, I'll also see about trying to move the valve up and down with an Allen wrench. Thank you!
If you're having problems with cylinder #1, at least one of the valves is clearly visible through the oil filler cap above the flywheel. Just pull the cap off and look in.
Reply With Quote
  #17   IP: 69.251.78.78
Old 01-04-2022, 08:27 PM
scratchee scratchee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 97
Thanks: 27
Thanked 44 Times in 28 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by scratchee View Post
If you're having problems with cylinder #1, at least one of the valves is clearly visible through the oil filler cap above the flywheel. Just pull the cap off and look in.
Sorry, what I should have said is that the valve STEM is visible. See photo at the end of this thread: https://www.moyermarineforum.com/for...914#post124914
Reply With Quote
  #18   IP: 73.205.183.45
Old 01-04-2022, 08:34 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
I think that is the very first valve. Unfortunately it is the second valve that is giving me trouble. however, I will take a look anyway to see if I see anything.
Reply With Quote
  #19   IP: 172.58.129.195
Old 01-09-2022, 02:38 PM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Scratchee,
I took a look down the oil fill cap at that first valve and that let to a discovery, the valve I thought I had been viewing through the spark plug hole is actually the second valve., I thought it was the first. I can see no valve stem through the oil fill cap, just the top of the spring that pushes the valve. Is there any way to try and pry that valve through the spark plug hole or the oil fill cap without taking off the head. I have a set of head gaskets coming next weekend if it comes to removing the head. I will also try removing the valve cover and looking at it that way.
Reply With Quote
  #20   IP: 69.251.78.78
Old 01-10-2022, 08:45 PM
scratchee scratchee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 97
Thanks: 27
Thanked 44 Times in 28 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brimikeg View Post
Scratchee,
I took a look down the oil fill cap at that first valve and that let to a discovery, the valve I thought I had been viewing through the spark plug hole is actually the second valve., I thought it was the first. I can see no valve stem through the oil fill cap, just the top of the spring that pushes the valve. Is there any way to try and pry that valve through the spark plug hole or the oil fill cap without taking off the head. I have a set of head gaskets coming next weekend if it comes to removing the head. I will also try removing the valve cover and looking at it that way.
I'm sorry for my sloppy descriptions! I think what you really want to check for visually, if possible, is that the spring is moving up and down with the tappets. The valve stem is within the spring, and if the valve is stuck the spring will not move up and down to follow the tappet.

See photo below, taken from another thread on this site. You are seeing the bottoms of the valve stems, resting on tappets. The tappets push up from the bottom, to lift the valves. When the tappet recedes, the valve spring should push the valve back down with the tappet. In this picture you can see multiple stuck valves that are not in contact with the tappet (I think a little gap is OK, but not nearly as much as shown here):



Here's a youtube video showing a similar view, but now the engine is being hand cranked to make the valves move: https://youtu.be/vVR64LaeXeU

That video brings up another point: you can learn quite a lot by taking off the valve cover before committing to a head removal. That's how that video was taken.

But if you want to check through the oil fill first, a cheapy bore camera like this might do the trick: https://www.amazon.com/Inspection-Fa...469253-4134344

Last edited by scratchee; 01-10-2022 at 08:47 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #21   IP: 162.245.50.230
Old 01-11-2022, 08:56 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,035
Thanks: 711
Thanked 1,289 Times in 839 Posts
Cool

Leave the head on for now. The clearance on the valves should be around .012 so take a .020 and place it on top of the valve then turn the engine. This will give the valve a "nudge with direct force" which will begin to break it loose. If it still sticks go to .030 and repeat. Spinning the engine by hand will work but the starter will be easier and shakes things up better. Do this with oil sprayed in the cylinders.

Getting the valves to move in this way is far better than prying on and possibly bending the valve. Just a little movement and they should shake loose.

I see 2 stuck valves to play with. If you can't get them moving like this head removal will be necessary. Use the starter and have all the plugs removed and the COIL hot wire removed incase you forget and leave the key on. Don't want to fry the coil, just remember to hook it back up when you try to start.

Dave Neptune

Last edited by Dave Neptune; 01-11-2022 at 08:57 AM. Reason: oops
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dave Neptune For This Useful Post:
JOHN COOKSON (01-11-2022), sastanley (01-11-2022), Surcouf (01-11-2022)
  #22   IP: 162.245.50.230
Old 01-11-2022, 09:15 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,035
Thanks: 711
Thanked 1,289 Times in 839 Posts
Addendum

Oops, just notice that my response was to a Scratchee post. The same advise applies to you Brimikeg. Loosened many "flathead" valves like this.

Dave Neptune
Reply With Quote
  #23   IP: 69.250.111.245
Old 01-11-2022, 08:28 PM
sastanley's Avatar
sastanley sastanley is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Solomons, MD
Posts: 7,016
Thanks: 1,134
Thanked 600 Times in 442 Posts
Lightbulb

Dave, nice tip on using a fatter feeler gauge to loosen up stuck valves!
__________________
-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
  #24   IP: 69.251.78.78
Old 01-12-2022, 12:10 AM
scratchee scratchee is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 97
Thanks: 27
Thanked 44 Times in 28 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Neptune View Post
The clearance on the valves should be around .012 so take a .020 and place it on top of the valve then turn the engine. This will give the valve a "nudge with direct force" which will begin to break it loose. If it still sticks go to .030 and repeat.
Dave, at some point in the past I thought I understood this advice, but now I don't. Do you mean on top of the valve, or on top of the tappet? And if it's on top of the tappet, wouldn't the tappet rise up to fully contact the valve stem even without a feeler gauge there? I thought the only time there was a gap was when the tappet was in its lowest position, but it's not there for long when cranking. I'm sure I'm missing something.

EDIT: I'm now envisioning a scenario where the valve is stuck fully open. In that case, a feeler gauge would provide a little extra travel at the top of the tappet's upward stroke. Without the feeler, the tappet would just barely contact the valve but not move it. Is that what you're describing?

Last edited by scratchee; 01-12-2022 at 12:15 AM.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to scratchee For This Useful Post:
sastanley (01-12-2022)
  #25   IP: 73.205.183.45
Old 01-12-2022, 08:47 AM
Brimikeg's Avatar
Brimikeg Brimikeg is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Port Charlotte Florida
Posts: 33
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thank you everyone for your responses,
Scratchee, that is exactly the case as shown in your photo, the spring does not move up and down and the valve stem doesn't come into contact with the tappet. In fact with the tappet at it's farthest position up there is still about 1/8-1/4 inch of space between the bottom of the valve stem and where it is supposed to contact it.

Dave, I have somewhat tried what you are talking about but due to the size of the gap between the valve and tappet I don't think a feeler gauge would work. When feeling around with an Alan wrench in the spark plug hole, there doesn't even seem to be a gap between the top of the valve and the inside of the head, my fear is that it maybe rusted to the head or was forced up with too much force at one point.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
compression, other problems, rebuild, valves

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
Delco distributor rebuild kit??? Surcouf Ignition System 9 05-12-2020 01:59 PM
HELP...leaking Carb. after rebuild. sproption Fuel System 13 05-13-2013 06:29 PM
To Rebuild or Not To Rebuild (That is the Question) jkenan General Interest 13 02-07-2011 03:29 PM
Proud Rebuild mike7a10 General Interest 4 04-21-2010 05:38 PM
Rebuild, Engine Rebuilder, Or PA ???? JasperWindvane Overhaul 1 01-22-2006 09:22 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:07 AM.


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