Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

[wswaneyw]

I am so close to being done on my project boat that it hurts. Today I finally brought the boat home from being painted and hanging the engine. I have hooked up all the controls and hooked up the fuel line. Dropped the motor into a huge trash can and filled it with water. I also put the flusher on the lower unit. It took a while at idle for the engine to pump water. I am expecting that there is a thermostat on the motor, but none the less it was pumping water. It didnt look like is was being forced out of the motor but it was pretty good flow. After a few minutes at idle it suddenly died. It wasnt a slow die,, it acted like it siezed up as fast as it stopped. Not thinking i started it again, ran for a few seconds then a dead stop. Of course I had to do it again and of course the same thing happened, only this time I noticed no water flow. I am going to replace the water pump no matter what but am I looking at bigger troubles? The motor sat for quite a while before I bought it last year. Sorry for the lengthy story here. It is a mid 70's model chrysler 120. Any help would be great. Thanks Wayne

 

[12Footer]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

Cold compression test.<br />If you haven't done so yet, drain/inspect the lower unit lube. It may actually be siezing at the lower unit.<br />If this engine hasn't been turned-over in a while (say, a year or so), I would change out the impeller just because they develop a 'set' from sitting, and will act as yours has....Just before disintegrating.<br />The old one will look fine, but the vanes will be noticeably bent or curved. no good.<br /> A link to how to inspect a lower unit. <br />And let us know how it's going.

 

[wswaneyw]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

Thanks 12FOOTER I will check it out in the am. I certainly hope i havent caused more damage by jacking with it as much as i did. I had intended on changing the L U oil.. I wouldnt be at all surprised if it was empty. Like I said before, this is a long time project boat that as I can start to see light at the end of the tunnel my patience is growing thinner. I pulled the trash can out from under the motor and just put the flusher on the unit and still couldnt get any water to come out of the back of it. In fact I also pulled the temp probe out to see if water would come out and had nothing there. Could it be that obstructed? I purchased a repair manual last year just for this occasion and it isnt very model specific,,, is the impeller a big deal to change? Thanks Wayne

 

[wswaneyw]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

Replaced water impellar and housing today. Surprisingly enough it wasnt all that bad. About a half hour and it was done. I also changed the lower unit oil. The oil looked fine, like it had hardly been used. I think I may have found my dying problem. Since this is a project boat all items are not complete,, including the fuel cell. I am running off a five gallon tank right now. When i squeezed the bulb to prime i noticed gas squirting all over the place. (didnt put hose clamp on fuel line) Its a wonder I have made it this far because of stupid errors. Anyways, I clamped the hose down and noticed it is leaking around the glass fuel separator bulb. Could an air leak cause my sudden dying problem? Once again thanks for any help. Wayne

 

[12Footer]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

Yes, it can. Any leaks can keep it from picking up fuel.<br />Al;so, these fuel pumps dry out from non-use quickly, and cant handle alcohol 'enhanced' fuels. If youy can keep it running by squeezing the primer every so often, you're problem is most likely fuel pump. Not to fret tho, as the kits are relatively cheap, and the job takes less 20-30 mijnutes.

 

[wswaneyw]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

Thanks again for the replies 12FOOTER. I will have to try squeezing the bulb to see if it stays running. I have been working on this boat for almost a year now and am now down to the little stuff. Unfortunately my boat has seen more water today (since it is raining out) than I have had in it. You dont happen to know anything about how to wire a kill switch into the loop do you? Thanks again for all of your help. Wayne

 

[12Footer]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

Np. What year is your chrysler?

 

[wswaneyw]

Re: Chrysler 120 HP Dying problem

I think it is a 1977,,, when i went to get the impeller today the model # didnt show up on the micro fiche.