A rough run

[imported_John_Galt]

I have a 1988 Celebrity with 4.6 l V^ and Mercruiser alpha one out drive.

I redecked the boat this spring into summer (just finished 3 days ago) and decided to fire her up for the 1st time since last year. Well.....

I can get it started but to keep it running I have to give it enough gas to run at 2500-3000RPM(even then it is a bit roug). As soo as I get to about 2000rpm it sputters coughs, chokes and stops. I cannot get it o run at idle.

Does this sound like a fuel problem(water in the fuel?)

Any help would be appreciated as I leave for Maine on Saturday.

Yeas I know I waited a bit long to do this. :%

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: A rough run

Water in the fuel would be a good starting point. You could hook up a separate gas tank to it and run it off of that and see if it helps. Also, check the fuel filter.

 

[NW Redneck]

Re: A rough run

Could be water in fuel. Got a seperator? If not, get one! Try pumping the tank into other containers and see if you get any water seperating out. Check/change fuel filter. Did you use stabiliser after last time running? Might just be stale gas, or gum forming in fuel system. Got good fuel delivery from fuel pump? Could you have bumped anything on the engine/throttle cable puting it out of adjustment? Could be sticking choke? Just some ideas to start with.

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Thanks guys. I'll try the "external" fuel tank trick first".

I do not have a water separater. What are they and where do I get one???

Thanks

John

 

[DJ]

Re: A rough run

Edited, dupe response.

 

[DJ]

Re: A rough run

"I do not have a water separater. What are they and where do I get one"

Here on iboats, in the Mega Mall.

Like this. See below.


http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...=721066415&list_time=1155242233&view_id=40357

 

[vipzach]

Re: A rough run

The fuel/water seperator is just that........it seperate the two. You can get them here at iboats or bass pro or anywhere that sells marine parts. They look like an oil filter and should be installed before the fuel pump.

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Well I used an alternate tank to run fresh gas through and it ran the same.
So I crawled below wile the engine was running at 2500 rpm and started pushing/wiggling plug wires.

Viola, 3rd one I messed with smoothed out the run. I immediately backed the throttle to idle and it purrrrrrrrs like a happy kitten.

I will definetely look into the water/fuel seperator. Is this somethig that needs to be replaced like a fuel filter or is it simply installed and left to do its job?

Thanks agian guys.

John

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: A rough run

It needs to be replaced periodically......JK

 

[Don S]

Re: A rough run

Viola, 3rd one I messed with smoothed out the run. I immediately backed the throttle to idle and it purrrrrrrrs like a happy kitten.

For some strange reason I can't believe it purrrrrrrrs like a happy kitten because of one plug wire being loose. It may now idle, but I would bet it's not right by a long shot.
Having just one plug wire off or loose will NOT make a 4.3 engine not idle below 2500 rpm.
When was the last time your engine had a full tuneup? Not just a "Throw spark plugs at it and call it a tuneup" type job, but a complete one. Including a compression check.
Includes, plugs, points, condenser, cap,l rotor, setting the dwell, then timing, readjusting the carb mixture and idle speed.
Bet then you would find what Purring like a kitten really means.

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Well the last time that happened was 2000.

I put plugs in it last year. I tend to agree that one plug wire should not make the difference but it really seems to be ok. I did push down all of them but did not notice anything change in the way it was running. Just the one plug.

The real test will be when I put her on the water tomorrow.

Thanks
John

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Well DonS you are correct. Purring in th driveway is a lot different thaen purring on Lake Damariscotta. I put her in yesterday and putted up to the camp from the launch. I decided to pull the plugs and inspect. They are all Good. After I put them back in I have no spark. I do have power up to the coil. So this is where life gets really bad for me and my family vacation.

I remove distributor cap (SAE J1171 Marine) and there is a small crack in rotor. So I go to pull it off and it breaks off in my hand. No problem I'll just remove it and replace it. Well that was more trouble than I imagined. Since when tdo they screww the darn rotor into a spinnig metal plate??? The plate I now ben t the livin S**T out of. I ordered a cap and rotor from NAPA and will get it on Monday. WIll I get a new plate with it? Or am I doomed with this bent mess of a plate? I straightened it as Best I could but there is NO WAY this thing is going to spin true. Any help you can give me may save my family vacation.

Thanks in advance.

John (AKA miserable SOB)

 

[Don S]

Re: A rough run

The rotor comes with a new sensor wheel (your bent up metal plate). That plate and it's 6 openings is what tells the distributor when to fire. Like the points and cam on a points type distributor.
That J1171 number is not a part number, just a number that the part is marine certified.

The Mercruiser part number for the rotor assy is 13524A6
The Merc cap number is 815404A 2

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Don you are a emotional life saver. I thought I was doomed to stare at my docked boat with the new deck that cost me 100+ hours to install. I now have hope.

There is a module screwed into the iside of the distributor. Do I need to replace it? Isn't there special greese i need to install this module? If so do you know the part number? Is there any importance to how I align the sensor wheel and rotor when I re-install?

Do you happen to know the correct plug gap setting. The plugs are gapped approx 3.5 now.

Also will timing still be Ok since I did not adjust / turn distributor?

John (aka Hopeful SOB)

 

[Don S]

Re: A rough run

The plugs are gapped approx 3.5 now.

3.5 What? They should be .035"

No need to change the distributor sensor module unless it was damaged.
Just make sure the new rotor is all the way pushed onto the shaft, and everything should be fine.
If you are planning on doing your own work, get the OEM service manual, you need book #7, pn 90-12410. It will save you a LOT of headachs.
Also get into the habit of doing some preventive maintenance. A marine engine should be tuned up yearly (In the spring) so your engine will run at it's best and get the best milage possible. 6 years on a cap and rotor? ? ? ? ? no wonder it won't run.

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Sorry .035 is the gap setting.

Trust me I will never wait until the last minute again. If only to avoid hearing my wife's complaints :%
How often do you change a cap and rotor?

The distributor sensor module has some tiny rusty specs on what looks to be a metal contact. But the unit does not looked damaged in any way.

John -(getting happier by the minute)

 

[Don S]

Re: A rough run

How often do you change a cap and rotor?

Like I said, a full tuneup every spring.
Includes spark plugs, cap, rotor, do a compression test, check the base timing, check the advance timing, adjust carb mixture and idle speed.
You should also be putting in a new raw water pump impeller in the outdrive after 2 seasons of use.
Then you have the ujoint bellows, how old is it? If they go bad you end up with water in your ujoints, gimbal bearing, also in your gear lube.
In the fall, during winterization you should be pulling the outdrive, inspecting the gimbal bearing and ujoints, also checking alignment of the engine. Doing oil and filter changes on the engine oil, fuel filters, gear lube change.
Just all sorts of things to check.

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

Ok - Noted. Looks like I need how to learn some more DIY stuff. I am just too cheap to have someone else do something I am capable of. Thanks for all your help.

I will let you know how it goes tomorrow after I install parts. I will keep my fingerrs crossed until then.

John

 

[bjcsc]

Re: A rough run

I am just too cheap to have someone else do something I am capable of.

No, you're too "smart"...

 

[imported_John_Galt]

Re: A rough run

DOnS,

The saga continues.
I replace the cap & Rotor. Still will not start.
I still do not have spark at the plugs.

I also noticed I do not have any gauges working when I put key in RUn position. So I jumped a wire from the starter to the pos terminal on the coil and tried to start it.
The gauges come up but she still would not start.

Any ideas? The Dist. module maybe. Something else I am not thinking of?

John