Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// Water Tested ///

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Originally posted by BabylonBoater:<br /> The valves are adjustable........being hydraulic doesn't mean that they do not require adjustment.

OK, sorry about that. Nonetheless the VP Service Manual says my valves have "no adjustment". I believe the guys who have suspected bearing failure will end up being correct. We'll know here before too long. Thanks for posting.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

We went through this valve adjustment thing with tashasdaddy on his V6 a little while back. There is no adjustment on that model.<br /><br />The V6 engines are different from V8's<br /><br />This from the manual.<br /><br />

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

sorry.........

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

No sorrys. I appreciate you trying to help me out - I'm learning.

 

[KRS]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Do you have a neighbor putting sugar in your tank?

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Originally posted by KRS:<br /> Do you have a neighbor putting sugar in your tank?

Contrary to popular belief sugar doesn’t actually mix with petrol, worst it will do is block your filters, unless you don't have filters than it will block the jets in ya carb but unless you poor the sugar down its throat it won't cause anything like what’s going on here.<br /><br />You seem to have verified that the noise is defiantly coming from inside the engine there seems little left to do but pull it out and pull it down.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Hmmm. I hadn't thought about sabotage...gosh I hope not. I don't really have neighbors - my driveway is a quarter mile long.<br /><br />Anyway, update:<br /> The engine has been removed and is on a stand awaiting inspection. I removed the drive coupler and flywheel before bolting it to the stand. Everything was nice and tight (esp. the dc!) and I didn't see any problems. Tomorrow the pan comes off and all is revealed. Will update with inspection results tomorrow.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Update:<br /> I couldn't wait until tomorrow. I got home from work early enough to remove the oil pan. Inside the oil pan I found nothing. No pieces of metal/grit - nothing. The oil pump screen was completely clear. There was no discoloration on any of the metal pieces - none of the connecting rod caps or main caps, none at the top of the connecting rod/piston pins. Everything was a nice semigloss gray color like new cast iron. The only color I could see was in between the lobes on the camshaft, but I assume that is normal as I think they are case hardened. I could see some of that same rainbow on the connecting rods just below the piston pins. It was in the same spot on every rod. I could also see the camshaft, and watched each lobe come around. All were nice and smooth. I could also see the rollers from the lifters. I would think if I were eating a bearing, there would be evidence. I don't see anything. More importantly, I do not know what my next step should be. I would appreciate any comments / direction.

 

[calwldlif]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

My ear hears crossfiring, eyes see<br />very shakey motor, I haven't read entire<br />thread, dist cap? Wire running too close<br />to sensor to distrupt it.<br />It is possible for spark to jump to places it shouldn't be. I don't hear internal probs.<br />Of course I listen to rock music....loudly<br />

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

well..... seems like you should of bought a FORD !!! no. that is very strange. i would go to the dist. and cam drive gear, make sure all is pretty there. start from the ground up. maybe do a little plastigauging while the caps are exposed. double check the dist bushings. go ahead and put the retro fit for tensioner in if there aint one. pressure test the cooling system as well if possible now with it apart. hang it on a chain and run it if you can, rebuild the carb and make sure that its right. put a bronze gear on the dist shaft. get wires rated for high energy to protect them from cross fireing. there is something wrong and when we/ YOU!! figure it out youll be happy. the wife may not be, but youll be!! sometimes ill just sit and stare at it, think about all possibilities, go over the problems in my head. after hours of pondering i usually flip the switch and things start popping into my head. thats when i figure out the impossible. it might be as small as a set of crappy plug wires. but its something dont give up. something is making it predetonate, crossfire, missfire, chug, pop, rattle, i would plastigauge it first.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Did you try removing 1 plug wire at a time while it was running to see if the noise changed? Might indicate a specific cylinder.........

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Well I am checking in after taking a break from it. I was beginning to think you all abandoned me... I have a 4wd Ford F350 with over 200K miles on it and 1983 CJ7 also with over 200K on it. If this engine would run as well as either of them I would be truly happy! I did pull one wire at a time before and it made the same difference in each cylinder. I have already reinstalled the oil pan so no plastigauging. I listened to each cap, rod and main, while bumping the crank back and forth a bit. I could hear nothing. It's safe to say it is not a bearing. I just got done sitting there and staring at it so it's funny you mentioned that. I am going to pressure test the cooling system to make sure it is not responsible for my lack of manifold vacuum. However, with carbon fouled plugs (not clean) I don't expect to find anything there either. I am also going to set up to test the fuel pressure to make sure it's OK, too. I have a new cap and rotor to install and will replace the plug wires. Other than that - ?. Been thinking a lot about sailing lately...my Hobie Cat always brought me back...

 

[Mile-High Mariner]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Paulie - the problem with sugar is not that it mixes with the gas, but that sugar has an incredibly high carbon content - it will certainly cause some gelling of the fuel, but its main effect is to choke up your combustion chambers with carbon, building up so rapidly that it shuts down your engine.<br /><br />BJ - we wouldn't abandon a diligent soul such as you! BTW - I used to live in Mt. Pleasant, just a jog up Hwy 17. Passed thru there last year and I don't recognize a dang thing!<br /><br />Actually, remans are to be highly regarded, due to the fact that a reman is supposed to consist of a complete teardown of the motor and replacement of just about every part with new guts. A rebuild differs in that they generally only replace the parts that are worn or damaged or out of tolerances. I was just hoping that you might glean some information about your remanufactured (essentially "new") engine.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Thanks MHM. I used to live in Mt. Pleasant, too (~10 years ago). It has probably doubled in size since then.<br /><br />Never knew the difference between reman and rebuild - thanks. My engine is a 2004 new GM base engine. It has not been reman'd, and I have learned a lot about it.<br /><br />Well, here's where I am now: Today I basically went through all the aceesories with the manuals and checked everything. I check continuity on the engine harness and cannon plug, checked the alternator, etc. I believe I may have found the problem. It may not be THE problem, but it was a problem. When I was testing the HT terminal on my old dist. cap I could not get continuity through to the rotor button. My new replacement cap would give it to me instantly. No amount of wiggling, etc. would give it to me on the old cap. It very well could explain what I was seeing / hearing. We'll see tomorrow (or the next day it's not raining). Today I put the motor back together on the stand and put it back into the boat. I hooked everything back up and put the drive and its components all back in / together. It's ready to go. Next nice day we're going to see what we get. Although it was a lot of work, I actually enjoyed taking the engine out and learning about all the different systems as I tested them out. That'll be something if it was the cap! Wish me luck!

 

[calwldlif]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Good Luck<br />

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Originally posted by lilmandavis:<br /> after hours of pondering i usually flip the switch and things start popping into my head. thats when i figure out the impossible. it might be as small as a set of crappy plug wires. but its something dont give up. something is making it predetonate, crossfire, missfire, chug, pop, rattle, i would plastigauge it first.

see what staring at it does... it opens up all the possible problems and them you nail it down. its good that you know your boat from the drive to electrical now though!!!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Well the weather cleared up here today and I was able to check out my progress. I am happy to report that the engine started right up and, with a slight initial tweak on the distributor, ran like a sewing machine! Once it warmed up, I used my newly acquired timing shunt and set the timing to spec.. Removed the shunt and checked it at 600 and 1500 RPM and it was right where it is supposed to be. I am very pleased. Although I will not be totally at ease until I can water test it, which will probably be Monday, it sure feels good to hear it sounding like it is supposed to. I would like to thank everyone for your help, suggestions and encouragement. I will report the water test results to this thread as soon as I can get it out there. Thanks again!

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

i was wondering about the shunt but don never said anything about it and hes the expert on that subject so... im sure that it will run fine. i wish i knew what the "NEW" main cap bearing clearance was on that, to bad ya didnt plastigauge it. oh well!! to the FISH!!! tarpon are running down here!! caught 6 yesterday!!!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Originally posted by lilmandavis:<br /> i wish i knew what the "NEW" main cap bearing clearance was on that, to bad ya didnt plastigauge it. oh well!!

If I have to change my distributor cap again I'll check it for you...

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

Re: Volvo Penta 4.3GS Idle Rattle / Knock /// FIXED! ///

So the problem was a bad distributor cap????