AQ 130 Not starting.

[Hermyboy3000]

I have just reassembled my AQ130 engine for the season. It started right up after reassembly on Saturday night. I adjusted my timing to the 12 degree setting as listed in the Volvo manual, after which the engine started purring like a kitten and idled at about 950.

Here's where I get stumped, I tried to take her out on Sunday and she refused to start. My immediate reaction was to run to Walmart and get a new battery (I did). I installed the new battery and still no luck. I've checked my wiring and all is fine. The starter is strong because I can hear the engine trying to turn over. The motor just doesn't want to spark.

Please let me know what to check, because I don't have a clue and I've got to have this baby running by this weekend. Thank you all in advance!!!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

Do you have spark at the plugs?
With the key, 'on' what voltage are you getting at the + side of the coil?
Don S is the Volvo guy here, but these are a few things to check while you are waitning for a response.....​

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

So the engine doesn't need to be turned just set to the "on" position? What voltage should I be looking for?

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

pull the spark plugs and try turning it over - I bet the cylinders are hydrolocking due to an manifold crack or something...

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

I am not an expert on your engine....
But 6-12 volts....
The important thing is that you should read something.....
The fact that it will turn over most likely rules out water intrusion....
I would check for spark at the plugs first though.....
Are you sure it is getting gas & that the choke is operating?.......​

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

The starter is strong because I can hear the engine trying to turn over.

I took TRYING as not succeeding, but yeah, if it's spinning, it aint locked. Enough water to wet the plugs though....

 

[Windykid]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

If you are getting fuel spark and air i would try backing the timing off a little and see if it starts.

Not familiar with this motor but if it has a vacuum dist you have to disconnect the vacum hose and plug it before setting timing. Also the RPM's have to be a sertine level.

You can always spark time it by bringin #1 to TDC and rotate dist until #1 spark plug fires. This is just to get it running to reset timing.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

I doubt if there is a vacuum advance.....​

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

Should I advance the timing manually before trying to start it again? Also I was reading in another post that said I should pump the throttle 12 to 15 time before attempting to start the motor, is this right?

I also read another post that said these old engines get "tired" and that their timing should be advanced. So could the fact that I timed my boat to the spec in the Volvo manual actually be causing my problem? (Keep in mind that she was running for about a 1/2 hour to 45 minutes without a problem.)

 

[Coors]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

Did you ever get spark?

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

There were a couple times when she sounded like she was going to come to life. She'd start winding up on her own power then she'd peter out.

I'm still baffled by the fact that she ran really well on Saturday, then nothing on Sunday. The only tweak between the two days was the timing adjust, but she ran really well after that adjustment.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

I would verify spark, pump it twice & put the throttle to the stops.....
See what happens.....
Be prepared to back it down if it catches.....
Unless something drastic happened, like broken timing chain or something like that, there should be no reason for it not to start....
Spark, fuel compression, timing....
If it ran & you havent messed with anything timing wise, then don't.....
Veryfy spark first....
Without that nothing will happen.....​

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

How do I verify spark?

"Put throttle to the stops"? Does that mean WOT?

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

So the concept of an old engine getting tired wasn't very far off. I advanced the timing a bit and she fired up. She still was running ruogh and I needed to keep her throttled to stay alive. I pulled the plugs and noticed that 1 and 4 were fuel soaked and 3 and 2 were dry and sandblasted. Any idea why I have different reads on the plugs?

While the plugs were out I checked the gaps, they were off by a couple hundreths. I have adjusted them but I haven't turned her over with the new gap.

BTW, I checked my coil and it was putting out 10V. Does this work?

Thanks again.

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: AQ 130 Not starting.

All is great! I took the Geneva out tonight for a quick spin aroun the lake before heading off on vacation. SHE DID FANTASTIC!

I stepped back and started checking most of the ignition parts that were suspect. My spark plug gaps were way off, far too open. My timing was outta whack because I couldn't keep the engine running cool long enough to do an accurate timing job on her. I was finally able to get the engine timed since I was able to keep her cool. ( I installed a new thermostat). My timing was way off, I was trying to time her while was at idle rpm (900) this was wrong, I needed to set it while running at 2000rpm.

I'm stoked! I couldn't have done it without all of you in this forum! Thanks for the advice and great knowledge!

My family is going to have a blast this memorial day!