Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

[bijou22]

Please help me. Around Xmas time I did a service on my boat, ie - oil and filter, plugs, fuel filter, all belts, gear oil, impeller. Put her back in the water and took it out for the first time around 4 weeks ago. It ran like a dream and I was really pleased with myself. The boat is on a pontoon and so every week at least I start her up and run for half hour.Last week she would not fire up, turns over OK, fuel flow is OK. Eventually killed the battery, so did a full charge but is still the same. I have tried spraying WD40 on the electrics. Any help please? Boat is Wellcraft 21sl Volvo Penta 4.3 with Cobra SX leg.

 

[navigator336]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Are you getting spark to the plugs? If so pull a plug and see if it is wet with fuel. This will greatly narrow the troubleshooting window.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

If it turns out you have a no spark problem,don't overlook your safety teather kill switch.Lots of boat makers are using aftermarket switches,and the failure rate seems high on pontoon boats for some reason.<br /><br />DHP

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

2 questions, do I just need to look at 1 plug and how do I bypass the kill switch?

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

1) If you have a spark at the plug it may not be strong enough.<br /><br />Try turning it over at dusk while looking at the engine. You may see sparks arcing from the coil. This happened to my VP 4.3 which was running fine and suddenly wouldnt start. I took the leads off the coil wiped dry (moist with condensation) fired first time. Then changed the coil because the arc has caused a track down the coil

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

I have done the bypass of the kill switch by connecting both wires together and it makes no difference. I will try to see if there is a spark there next.

 

[Don S]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Is your engine carbed? EFI? What year? What distributor?<br />How about a model number, that would sure help. They have all had SX type drives since 93.<br /><br /> Volvo Engine ID <br /><br />Also, do you have a DVM?

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Engine - 4.3PLKD #3868618<br />Engine is carbed.<br />Hope thi helps Don

 

[Don S]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Did you have spark? When was the last time it was tuned up? (Plugs, cap, rotor etc.)

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

No spark at first, then took off distributor cap and cleaned by hand. Spark then occured but does not turn over. Don't know when it last had a tune up but I changed the plugs recently. I am now thinking along the lines of dodgy cap. Any thoughts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Spark then occured but does not turn over.

???????????

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Just to clarify, following a quick clean of the cap and a blow out, tried spark plug again and it did produce a spark

 

[Don S]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Sounds like you are in need of a complete tuneup. NEW cap, rotor, sparkplugs, checking the timing etc. On boats, that should be a yearly "Get Ready For the New Season" maintenance item. When the cap and rotor get to the point that they need "Cleaned" just so you can get spark, they are way overdue for replacement. You will also get a LOT better economy (Fuel Milage) with a fresh tuneup each year.

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Thanks Don, will try this and see how things develop. Is it straight forward doing an engine tune up, or should I get someone to do it for me?

 

[Don S]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

It's not difficult to replace the cap, rotor, and spark plugs, or even the plug wires. Setting the timing on the EST distributor requires you putting the distributor into base timing mode. If you don't move the distributor, the timing shouldn't change.<br />I would also be concerned if you haven't done any tuneups, what the rest of the eng. and drive are like? Raw water pump impellers are only good for a couple of years, gear lube change in outdrive, lubing of the gimbal bearing, pulling drive and checking alignment, oil & filter changes. etc.<br />You should also get the service manuals from Volvo for your engine and drive. There is a complete set, but you don't need all 6 books.<br />You can also download an owners manual with the preventive maintenance items listed in it.<br /><br />Here is the link for the owners manuals.<br /> http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marineengines/operators_manual/ <br /><br />Just put in the 4.3GSPLKE number under marine engines. It's the same as your PLKD but it doesn't show the manual.

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

thanks again Don, I have already done all recommended servicing, I will get myself a rotor and cap this week and let you know how it goes.

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Are you getting spark to the plugs? If so pull a plug and see if it is wet with fuel. This will greatly narrow the troubleshooting window<br /><br />In answer to the above, plugs are wet with fuel.

 

[bijou22]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

Took all 6 plugs out today, turned the engine over to displace the fuel, cleaned the plugs and she started first time. Seems like she was flooded.I am now thinking of installing a manual choke, does anyone have any experience on this???

 

[navigator336]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

The plugs were likely flooded with fuel when you weren't getting a spark. I'd check the operation of your current choke. As long as the choke plate moves freely and it opens completely during a brief warm-up period, there's no reason to change to a manual control.

 

[navigator336]

Re: Just won't turn over - volvo penta 4.3

The plugs were likely flooded with fuel when you weren't getting a spark. I'd check the operation of your current choke. As long as the choke plate moves freely and it opens completely during a brief warm-up period, there's no reason to change to a manual control.