1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

yeti122

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I have a freshly rebuilt motor. If you try to start just in neutral with engine warm or cold it will barely hit. With a pump of the throttle in neutral it will crank everytime with it throttled up slightly. When you start to idle down it will surge some and you will hear sucking and then stall out unless you pump the throttle to catch it back up. I have a inline fuel filter but no water seperator which I need to get I know. I just went through the entire carb and dipped it all. I found settings for the idle and mixture screw which is 2 and 9 1/2. The timing is on 0 degress. It has new factory plugs, but I didnt replace condenser thats mounted on side of distributer. Other than idle it runs great smooth no surge or anything. Ideas?
 

Mullin

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Not sure what motor you have but I would guess it's not supposed to be at 0 degrees of advance. Close to 10 BTDC is more normal, check you manual.
 

yeti122

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Previous owner lost manual. Will try tomorrow. Thanks.
 

yeti122

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

I think i just had a duh moment. When doing my rebuild and restoration of my boat i picked up a clear inline fuel filer from walmart since it had been sitting so long to make sure it didnt suck up a bunch of junk into the carb. I think it may have been for a outboard motor. Im assuming this may pose part or all of my problem?
 

Don S

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

That engines base timing is supposed to be 6? BTDC @ 850 rpm (idle rpm). Point dwell should be 62?3? (they run best at 62 to 65?)
Set the dwell first, then the timing.
Since the carbs don't have chokes, you need to get the engine warmed up to operating temp before going to idle.
 

redone76

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

sound like you may have a vacuum leak...all carb ports plugged and intake plugs tightened??? is there a new intake gasket?
 

Mullin

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

I think i just had a duh moment. When doing my rebuild and restoration of my boat i picked up a clear inline fuel filer from walmart since it had been sitting so long to make sure it didnt suck up a bunch of junk into the carb. I think it may have been for a outboard motor. Im assuming this may pose part or all of my problem?

No that wouldn't be it. BUT don't use those plastic fuel filters on an inboard!!!! They are a major fire hazard and are not approved.

How's it supposed to idle right if you don't have the timing set right. Let it warm up and then set the timing. Then tweak the carb screws as the final adjustment. Don got you all the specs you need to get the timing done, so remove the fire risk and then start with setting the timing right.
 

yeti122

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Already took care of the fuel filter issue. Dwell and timing will come tomorrow if it isnt raining. Thanks to all.
 

Mullin

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Good luck man, report back!
 

yeti122

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Does anyone have the feeler gauge to use to get me in the ballpark area. Im working on getting a dwell meter.
 

Don S

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Does anyone have the feeler gauge to use to get me in the ballpark area. Im working on getting a dwell meter.

Any autoparts store in the world carries feeler gauges ............
 

yeti122

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

I mean what size feeler gauge. I worded that messed up.
 

Don S

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Base timing.................................. 6? BTDC (0–14.17 r/s = 0–850 rpm)
Advanced timing .......................... 32–36? BTDC (70 r/s = 4200 rpm)
Contact gap ............................... 0.40 mm (0.016")
Dwell angle ................................. 62?3?
 

yeti122

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Re: 1991 Volvo 230B won't idle but runs fine

Ok ive set the points gap. Havent been able to track down my friends dwell meter for him. But when I set the points I saw they weren't correct. So im in the ball park. I rebuilt the carb with a new kit. I replaced the fuel pump. It is running better than before I can get it down to 1200-1500rpm before it dies off. I have been trying to get the timing set to 6 degrees but I cant get it to 800 rpms to set the base line. When its idling it will be at 1200rmp then will rev up to 1500 to 1800rmp and then die down to off. All of this is done after engine has warmed up. No gas leaks, all of carb was clean and clear when I rebuilt it. Not sure what to do next besides finding the dwell meter.
 
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