Help me diagnose my Volvo issues

emarkd

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
20
Hello all,

I've recently bought a 1984 bayliner with a volvo AQ125a motor in it. I rebuilt the water pump, replaced a busted exhaust baffle, changed all the fluids and put it in the water. It started up strong and ran like a champ....for about an hour. A little diagnostic work and it looks like the coil quit. So I put on a pertronics flamethrower coil. I also did new plugs and wires and replaced the points with a pertronics electronic module. We spent all day today at the lake and it runs, but not like before. It's extremely cold-natured and hard to start. Then it backfires and surges at lower rpm's. Warm it up and wind it up to 4k or so it runs great. It's smooth and strong on the plane, but throttle back and it starts acting up again, surging and backfiring occasionally.

I didn't replace the cap or rotor, but they both look good. I didn't check the timing because this old distributor is seized up. Does this sound like a timing issue? What else could it be?

Thanks for reading this long post.
-Mark
 

maxxman04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 30, 2009
Messages
352
Re: Help me diagnose my Volvo issues

i could be wrong, but i believe the pertronix setup requires that you remove the ballast resistor from system all together. as far as timing, yes, it could be off. check it.
 

emarkd

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
20
Re: Help me diagnose my Volvo issues

i could be wrong, but i believe the pertronix setup requires that you remove the ballast resistor from system all together. as far as timing, yes, it could be off. check it.

You're right about the resistor. I used a 3-ohm coil on my 4 cylinder, which according to the instructions means removing the resistor. So I did. I guess I need to buy a timing light. I haven't used one of those in years.
 
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