888 mercruiser won't start...

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

ErieRon,
How do i check if my rings are worn?
Basically what happens when i try to turn on the engine is as follows: the engine cranks normally (full of life) as if it would turn over, but it doesn't. What I'm trying to say is everything sounds good, as if the engine would start but it just doesn't.

Matt 57,
the engine did not get hydro locked at high RPM's. I'll read up on the Marvel Mystery Oil and thanks for the heads up on the spark plugs. Might give it a try (burning the tips); nothing to loose.

bruceb58,
are you sure that i should still be able to get the engine started with the compression numbers that i have?



I was doing some research and i found this:

"If the timing belt or timing chain fails it will cause the camshaft to become out of correlation with the crankshaft or allow the camshaft to stop rotating. Either of these conditions will cause the engine to lose compression and sometimes cause internal engine damage." Website

Since i did turn the engine manually using the socket, could i have done something to the timing belt?

 

[matt 57]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

are you sure that i should still be able to get the engine started with the compression numbers that i have?

This is not a diesel. If there is fuel, powerfull anough spark and correct timing, it should fire up or at least try to.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

ErieRon,
How do i check if my rings are worn?

I think you already did When you put oil in the cylinders and the compression increased...but not to max...that points toward worn rings. The only way I know to verify it is to disassemble it and do the physical inspection. Look at Manual #2, section/page 5B-16.

If the timing belt broke, I don't think you would have any compression because the camshaft would not be turning. If it failed in some other way, you would have a whole list of other problems. You didn't remove it and replace it recently did you?

The fact that it won't even try to fire tells me there is something in the ignition system that is not right. If you have confirmed that your carb is getting fuel, and it's turning over strong, I would step back and review your ignition components and settings. Points, condenser, timing, coil, and spark verification procedure at the plugs. Think of it this way; If gas is getting into the cylinders, being mixed with air and compressed, and a spark is lighting at the right time, you WILL have ignition, or some semblance of it. Sounds like you're not, so we're missing something.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I went out and bought a new condenser, spark plug wires, points and nothing changed. I am getting great sparks to the plugs. Fuel in the carburetor.

The engine keeps cranking but does not want to do anything else. I truly am out of ideas.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I went out and bought a new condenser, spark plug wires, points and nothing changed. I am getting great sparks to the plugs. Fuel in the carburetor.

The engine keeps cranking but does not want to do anything else. I truly am out of ideas.

I'm sure by this point you're probably getting pretty frustrated, but it just seems it's something simple that you're missing. No offense, but are you gaping your points and plugs, setting the dwell and is your timing on the money? Is it possible that the plug wires are not going to the right plugs? Did you rotate your distributor cap 180 degrees by accident? These are all things that I have done over the past 20 years Also, is your distributor actually rotating? And lastly, it's possible to get fuel in your carb, but not to the cylinders. After cranking, pull a couple of plugs and see if you can smell any fuel.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

I'm sure by this point you're probably getting pretty frustrated, but it just seems it's something simple that you're missing. No offense, but are you gaping your points and plugs, setting the dwell and is your timing on the money? Is it possible that the plug wires are not going to the right plugs? Did you rotate your distributor cap 180 degrees by accident? These are all things that I have done over the past 20 years Also, is your distributor actually rotating? And lastly, it's possible to get fuel in your carb, but not to the cylinders. After cranking, pull a couple of plugs and see if you can smell any fuel.

Thanks for the help, but i need a few things 'translated'

Gaping the points? Does that mean that they open and close in a biting motion?

What is gaping the spark plugs? Setting the dwell? By timing do you mean the timing belt? I have never checked the timing belt. The distributor cap is not rotated

Also, would the rotor be rotating if the distributor was not?

Thank you.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Thanks for the help, but i need a few things 'translated'

Gaping the points? Does that mean that they open and close in a biting motion?

What is gaping the spark plugs? Setting the dwell? By timing do you mean the timing belt? I have never checked the timing belt. The distributor cap is not rotated

Also, would the rotor be rotating if the distributor was not?

Thank you.

Yes, the points open and close in a biting motion. As you crank the engine, there is a high spot on the distributor shaft that acts like a cam and opens and close the points. They have to be gaped properly when installed.

Most spark plugs come pre-gaped, but not all. You have to check it with a gage. It's the distance between the little tab that is bent over and the center electrode on the end of the plug.

Dwell & timing are checked with a dwell meter and a timing light. Does not have to do with the timing belt.

How do you know your distributor is not rotated 180 degrees?

No, the rotor would not be turning if the shaft was not.

Now, please tell me you have downloaded the manual I suggested

You really need to do some reading (section 1, part B / tuneup) & (section 4, part B / ignition system).

These items are critical and most certainly part of your problem.

 

[rebars1]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Your first post says that it was running nice after you had tuned it. The only thing that happened since was that some water got into the engine and possibly hydro-locked it. The engine apparently rusted a little, but you've worked that out. What did you do in the first tune up that you have not done this time?

Is there a safety lanyard at the helm that is not plugged in, or a neutral safety switch that is grounding out?

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Sorry for not updating sooner, but work is busy. :redface:

ErieRon,

the points are gaped properly in my opinion. They open and close. The spark plugs seem to be gaped. They are getting sparks. So it must mean that they are gaped?

I have never checked the dwell (nor do I know what it is to be honest) nor have I checked the timing. I will have to purchase a dwell meter and timing light.

When it comes to the distributor, I assume that it?s not rotated 180 degrees since I did not touch it. I only touched the cap to change out the points and condenser. How do I check if its rotated?

The rotor is turning, so the shaft must be too.

Yes, I have downloaded and printed certain sections of the manual. I will read them over and follow the step by step instructions that they give. Obviously I need free time to do this


Rebars,

the engine was running but it was overheating. So I was told to clean out my exhaust manifolds and exhaust elbows. I did this but never put a new gasket, but instead I put the gasket maker. Bad idea! The gasket maker expanded and blocked the water passages between the elbow and the manifold; causing it to leak back into the exhaust.

Anyway, the only thing that I did different last time was that I changed the coil, solenoids, and the fuel pump. I checked the solenoids and they seem to be fine. If the coil was bad I don?t think that I would be getting sparks?

Thank you all.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Sorry for not updating sooner, but work is busy. :redface:

ErieRon,

the points are gaped properly in my opinion. They open and close. The spark plugs seem to be gaped. They are getting sparks. So it must mean that they are gaped?

I have never checked the dwell (nor do I know what it is to be honest) nor have I checked the timing. I will have to purchase a dwell meter and timing light.

When it comes to the distributor, I assume that it?s not rotated 180 degrees since I did not touch it. I only touched the cap to change out the points and condenser. How do I check if its rotated?

The rotor is turning, so the shaft must be too.

Yes, I have downloaded and printed certain sections of the manual. I will read them over and follow the step by step instructions that they give. Obviously I need free time to do this


Rebars,

the engine was running but it was overheating. So I was told to clean out my exhaust manifolds and exhaust elbows. I did this but never put a new gasket, but instead I put the gasket maker. Bad idea! The gasket maker expanded and blocked the water passages between the elbow and the manifold; causing it to leak back into the exhaust.

Anyway, the only thing that I did different last time was that I changed the coil, solenoids, and the fuel pump. I checked the solenoids and they seem to be fine. If the coil was bad I don?t think that I would be getting sparks?

Thank you all.

SeaVue;

Your point gap is critical. It's not a matter of "they open and close". As the distributor shaft rotates, they have to be at a certain distance apart at the high spot on the cam (rotor). You need a gap gage to check and adjust them. Same with the spark plugs. There is a specific gap for your engine and it needs to be correct.

If you haven't checked/set you timing and dwell, you're wasting your time with everything else.

I may not have been clear enough about the distributor. What I meant was, did you remove the distributor cap, and accidentally re-install it at 180 degrees to where it was? It can go on two ways...properly, and 180 degrees from correct. If you re-installed it at 180 degrees, the wrong plugs will be firing at the wrong time.

If the rotor is turning, the shaft is turning.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

You are basically wasting your time until you set dwell and timing. Buy a dwell meter and a timing light. Don't rely on point gap. Use the dwell meter. Your dwell affects timing so you need to set dwell and then set timing.

 

[SeaVue]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Is there a safety lanyard at the helm that is not plugged in, or a neutral safety switch that is grounding out?

Can someone please explain to me what the above means. I'm obviously new to the boating world

Could the above be talking about a breaker safety switch? I think that's whats its called.

Yes, i realize that i need to check the dwell and timing before i check the above or anything else. But i just wanted to know what and where that is.

I will most definitely will buy a dwell meter and a timing light. If you click on the "dwell" and "timing" it will take you to amazon and show you the ones i am thinking about ordering. Are they fine? Or should i go to advanced auto parts and see what they have to offer?

I've been reading the manual and its says, "when you connect the timing light, you should run the engine and let it run at idle speed. Then you point the light at the..." basically can i still do this without the engine running?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Dwell meter is good. I would get this timing light
http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP7528..._2?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1257383157&sr=1-2

It is an advance timing light. Makes it easier to set. Basically you dial in the advance and then just line up TDC of both the balancer and the TDC on the engine.

It is easier to have the engine running but you can also set while you crank the engine. Have someone crank the engine while you adjust the dwell with the dwell meter. Do the same for the timing. When you get the engine running, the dwell may be slighly different than when you were cranking so adjust accordingly along with the timing. Make sure you don't crank the engine too long while you do this. Crank it for awhile and then lewt it sit to let the starter cool...then crank again.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Can someone please explain to me what the above means.

The neutral safety switch keeps the starter from operating so that is not your problem. There is a safety lanyard on many boats that removes the power going to the coil if the switch is activated(you fall off the boat and you have the lanyard attached to you). If you can measure voltage at the positive side of your coil while the key is in the run position, the safety lanyard is in place.

 

[rebars1]

Re: 888 mercruiser won't start...

Your 888 may not have a safety lanyard because of the age of the boat (mine did not). It would be located near the shifter or key at the helm and has a coiled chord that you clip to your body (clothes). The other end holds an interupt button down for electrical continuity. When the cilp is pulled out, the electrical path is shorted out and the engine stops. You see this on jet skis alll the time. Did you use one the other time you ran your boat? If so, make sure it is properly plugged in.