boatingguy
Cadet
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2012
- Messages
- 11
Here is the whole story. While getting the starboard engine rebuilt/uninstalled/re-installed, the port engine sat for six weeks, prior to that it ran great with no issues. I have owned the boat for three months, so it seemed like a good idea to put new spark plugs in the port while I was waiting, since I had no knowledge of the last change.
After getting the starboard engine in and timed, I attempted to start the port engine prior to the sea trial. Turned over, but no start. Checked fuel pump - working; checked spark plug wire #1 with a strobe type ignition timer - no strobe. Unplugged and replugged the coil to distributor wire at the coil - then it started and ran perfect. My assumption (bad assumption) was the the coil pack had become disconnected/corroded and that the unplug-replug solved the problem.
Assumptions are bad, right. Yep, 20 minutes into the sea trial the port engine (the formerally good engine) died instantly. Motored back to the marina on the newly rebuilt engine, wiggled the wires/unplugged and replugged and again the engine started and ran perfect for about 3 minutes, then quit. After that would not restart. My thought was either the coil wire between the distributor and the coil or the coil itself.
Replaced both, same scenario. Initially engine would not start; wiggled some wires around coil and engine started ran great. Shut down with key a couple of times and restarted; then would not start again.
Finally began following the troubleshooting chart for the Thunderbolt IV. I have 12V at the positive terminal of the coil. I have unplugged the shift interruptor (also have moved that manually while the engine was running - seems to work correctly). When checking the white/red bullet connector it has approximately 0.56 Volts.
So here are the questions: Is there any chance that my change of spark plugs (or a cracked ceramic) could cause this erratic problem? Does this sound like an Ignitior sensor in the distributor (i.e., can they act so erratic)? Is all of my wire wiggling just dumb coincidence? Since I always have the 12V at the coil +, does that eliminate a ground problem?
As always any help greatly appreciated...
Randy
After getting the starboard engine in and timed, I attempted to start the port engine prior to the sea trial. Turned over, but no start. Checked fuel pump - working; checked spark plug wire #1 with a strobe type ignition timer - no strobe. Unplugged and replugged the coil to distributor wire at the coil - then it started and ran perfect. My assumption (bad assumption) was the the coil pack had become disconnected/corroded and that the unplug-replug solved the problem.
Assumptions are bad, right. Yep, 20 minutes into the sea trial the port engine (the formerally good engine) died instantly. Motored back to the marina on the newly rebuilt engine, wiggled the wires/unplugged and replugged and again the engine started and ran perfect for about 3 minutes, then quit. After that would not restart. My thought was either the coil wire between the distributor and the coil or the coil itself.
Replaced both, same scenario. Initially engine would not start; wiggled some wires around coil and engine started ran great. Shut down with key a couple of times and restarted; then would not start again.
Finally began following the troubleshooting chart for the Thunderbolt IV. I have 12V at the positive terminal of the coil. I have unplugged the shift interruptor (also have moved that manually while the engine was running - seems to work correctly). When checking the white/red bullet connector it has approximately 0.56 Volts.
So here are the questions: Is there any chance that my change of spark plugs (or a cracked ceramic) could cause this erratic problem? Does this sound like an Ignitior sensor in the distributor (i.e., can they act so erratic)? Is all of my wire wiggling just dumb coincidence? Since I always have the 12V at the coil +, does that eliminate a ground problem?
As always any help greatly appreciated...
Randy
