can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

[tashasdaddy]

a rebuild, heads installed, valve assemblys, had trouble with getting Dist. in but now right. Gas to carb, can see it squirt. Weak spark. have new battery cables, new 1050 battery. waiting on plugwires and coil to be delivered. using merc #18 and seloc manuals. new starter, plugs are not getting wet.

 

[Don S]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Did you follow the chart on page 1C-8 of the Merc manual. <br />I would hope you are using the Seloc to keep your knees off the nonskid. <br />Have you checked all your connections in the ignition system. They have to be clean and shiny. Even the plug on the ignition module.<br />Have you turned the distributor while cranking to change the timing to see if it will fire. Does it fire at all?<br />With enough cranking and pumping, you could also have flooded it. Pull the plugs and look at them and see if they are wet with gas.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

just came back in getting fire to all plugs, plugs are not wet which makes me think fuel problem, can see gas squirt into carb, when pumping throttle.

 

[Don S]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Do a quick compression test. Just to make sure you don't have one or more cylinders with almost 0 compression.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

compression guage is not here, but i did the thumb test and found #2, #5, with no compression. loosened valves and got compression. it's spitting and sputtering now. it's more hopeful. will wait for compression guage just to be safe. thanks don, we all really appreciate your patience and willingness to share your knowledge.

 

[Don S]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

That's all I needed to know. <br />Do this. And do it one time only. <br />Loosen all the valves till the nut is about flush with the stud.<br />Then get your mercruiser manual and follow EXACTLY how to adjust the valves. Make sure you are on #1 TDC when you start. WHen you tighten the nut now to adjust the valves do it till the pushrod stops moving. Don't keep checking. When it stops, it stops. Then turn it down an aditional turn on the proper valves. Make sure which is intake and which is exhaust. Then, DO NOT touch it again.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

If you didn't get compression in 2 cylinders until you loosened some of the valves, I would think that you should go back through all of the valves to verify the correct clearance =( 1 turn down from zero lash). I'm assuming that you have a manual and know the adjustment sequence for #1 & #6 positions.........JK<br />You got some quick fingers, Don

 

[KaGee]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Hmmmm... suggested that was the problem in the OTHER post.<br /><br /><br />That's the trouble with DOUBLE POSTING THE SAME PROBLEM!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

yes it was but got no reply. got it started and will idle but here valve noise, so i'm going back tomorrow. after i got #2&#5 rightno problem, except i had drain the gas tank and it didn't have enough fuel. OUT OF GAS!! how stupid of me. i did it with the riding mower about 2 months ago. i've got a leak at the thermostat housing. had extra gasket and replaced it, still leaking between intake and housing, bad. yes i have a manual, Don made me get one! right now i'm just happy it started, and will idle. timing light crapped out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

i know timing is off some, worked with it the rest of the afternoon. still getting a little spit back into the carb. solved thermostat problem. dang i'm tired.

 

[Don S]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Did you actually go back and reset ALL the valves like I suggested? <br />Is it popping back through the carb all the time or just now and then. Could be an intake valve stuck open.<br />Also, do you have Thunderbold IV or V on your engine.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

tashaddy - did your exhaust manifold conversion finally work out?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

so far it has, had to go with 3inch elbow, we'll see. if not i'll have to find some batwings, better than pull everything out to change the Y pipe. the 4 inch elbow came right to the edge of the Y pipe.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Don, yes i went bak thru the valves, the spit back is occasional. all i have to go on the cover over the carb, it say 43.LX Gen+ thunderbolt ignition. the specs on the top says "special timing procedure required" got compression guage back today. will test when weather permits.

 

[Don S]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Sounds like you have the TB-V ignition. (See page 4B-11 for a picture). You may have an ignition problem (Bad plug, plug wire, dirty connection etc.) or carb adjustment that could cause the popping, but with all the water that was in the engine and the exhaust missing, it's going to be hard to run it, warm it up and set everything.<br /><br />Time to spend more money

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

have new plugs, new wires coming, i know these are bad, new coil coming. got water out, put exhaust on yesterday. get it up to temp and change oil again. i don't have the knock control module. i've got a IV page 4B-2. new cap and rotor won't hurt. but have to wait for $$$.

 

[Don S]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

The good news is you don't need anything special to set the timing with the TB-IV ignition. The jumper wires to put it into base timing was only on the TB-V ignition. But do check the connector on the distributor module. If the terminals are a little corroded, they will sure cause a lot of popping and misfiring.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

just reread the section on the ignition module. mine is missing a screw on the bottom mounting bracket and something about a grease behind the module. could this effect it? were having bad weather and i'm working outside.

 

[3car]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> That's all I needed to know. <br />Do this. And do it one time only. <br />Loosen all the valves till the nut is about flush with the stud.<br />Then get your mercruiser manual and follow EXACTLY how to adjust the valves. Make sure you are on #1 TDC when you start. WHen you tighten the nut now to adjust the valves do it till the pushrod stops moving. Don't keep checking. When it stops, it stops. Then turn it down an aditional turn on the proper valves. Make sure which is intake and which is exhaust. Then, DO NOT touch it again.

Bob, you told me that you just cranked all the rocker nuts all the way down.<br /><br />The boat will now idle(most of the time), but immediately backfires through the carb and shuts off when you apply ANY throttle. I have not checked the timing b/c a buddy has my light, but a compression check, valve adjustment, and timing adjustment are my next moves.

 

[3car]

Re: can't get it started 4.3 LXGEN+ 0K009133

Oh, and I seen in another thread where you said number 5 cylinder has 80 pounds of compression. Not good at all.