Engine won't turn over

[Hagan]

I have a 1996 Volvo 4.3L engine. We were out yesterday and everything was fine. At the end of the day after taking a run we stopped for about 10 minutes. We had no draw on the battery at that point because we did not use the radio. (1 Year old marine battery which we keep "tendered" at all times when the boat is not in use) When we went to start the boat it clicked, engaged the engine, but it only turned over slightly. About a half inch of rotation on the pulley and then wouldn't turn over any more. Any help on where to start would be appreciated. The motor has about 5 hours on it(just replaced) and the starter went in at the same time. The oil level is perfect and it never heated up(past 160)

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the engine "diesels" for about 5 seconds after a long run. I chalked it up to the engine being new and possibly having hot spots????

 

[jriegle04]

Re: Engine won't turn over

i would test the battery first then work my way to the starter solenoid if the battery turns out good. if your alternator went out the boat may be drawing enough while running to kill the battery. maybe pull the plugs and see if she will spin without them in. these are just a few things i would do to see what was going on.

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine won't turn over

It sounds like you may have hydrolocked. Pull the plugs and try turning it over, watch for water comming out of the plug holes. Do this right away. Dieseling is a good way for the engine to suck water up into the cylinders.

Check your timing and Idle settings once you get this issue solved.

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

You got it. The engine was hydrolocked. There was water on top of all the pistons but more prevelant on the left side. Now what???? We drained the oil and there is no water, at all, in the oil. When we replaced the engine we replaced the upper risers but not the manifolds because they were hard to come by. Is there anything I need to do to the cylander walls? Where did the water come from? Should I replace the manifolds? And if so, any idea where I can get manifolds? And last but not least... what should the timing and idle be? Suprise suprise... my one question has now turned into 5... Any advice again would be truly appreciated... and thank you so far. Again, 1996 volvo penta 4.3L engine. But actually have new crate motor in the boat

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine won't turn over

IF there was ever a lot of extra weight on the back of the boat without it running, you may have just allowed water to get into both manifolds. Maybe even a combination of weight and waves hitting the back of the boat. Hard to say.
Have the manifold/riser gasket surfaces ever been examined? Ever in salt water?

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Never been in salt water. Gaskets are brand new this season because we replace the engine which u helped us with a crankshaft position sensor we missed. Manifolds were tested and deemed ok, and so were the risers but there was a lot of "rot" in them so we replaced them. With the engine out of the boat we would have replace the manifolds, even though they tested ok, but could not find them.

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

lol... there was weight in the back of the boat.. i'm not sure about a lot though. My girlfriend and friends wife(about 250lbs combined for both). We ride in the connecticut river which had a strong current yesterday. Before our problem we pulled the bow onto a beach and friend and I got out while the two girls stayed in the back of the boat????

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

ok.. i guess ? # 1 is what now?

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine won't turn over

If you haven't, you should run the boat to dry the cylinders completely.

I'm not sure where the water is coming from. i thought dieseling caused the engine to suck up water, but Don didn't mention that. He is an expert.

It doesn't sound like you had the boat overloaded. It also sounds like you had water in all cylinders which means both manifolds and/or gaskets would have to have failed.

I'd start by fixing the dieseling issue. that is commonly a timing problem. Sorry I don't know the specs for your engine.

As always, please let us know what happens.

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Thank you... Just picked up more oil and am going to run the motor now. I guess the manifolds are next?? Any ideas as to where I can get them. Looked all over to try and find before

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Do these look like them?

http://www.volvopentastore.com/EXHAUST_COOLING/dm/*******.308596054--**********.810280370--store_id.366--view_id.311862

Here is the aftermarket equivelent.

http://www.iboats.com/Manifold_18_1848_Sierra/dm/*******.308596054--**********.810280370--view_id.485781

these are both available here at Iboats.

I'm not convinced they are your problem, but you should have replaced them with the new engine anyway.

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Yes they do. Thanks again. I found the volvo one but was interested in the aftermarket one. Thanks to all again for you help.

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

What else should I be checking for water on top of the pistons? Especially because you and I are not convinced.

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine won't turn over

First I'd confirm the timing and idle to be correct, then I'd run it. First on muffs, check for water on plugs. Correct the dieseling problem.

IMO.

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Can I post another post on timing/idle specs or is that against the rules?

 

[captmello]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Can I post another post on timing/idle specs or is that against the rules?

thats a good Idea. Include the full model number including all letters and numbers or the serial number on the engine.

Also check this link for info

http://www.volvo.com/volvopenta/global/en-gb/marine_leisure_engines/parts_service/publication_search/publication_search.htm

 

[Hagan]

Re: Engine won't turn over

Everything seems ok. Put new oil in, ran it on muffs to dry cylanders, let it sit, ran it again, checked the plugs and no water. Put it in for a test and tune for about an hour, removed the valve covers and, again, no water at all. I'm thinking possibly operator error??? When we took it off at the end of a quick run(apparently) we put it in nuetral and shut if off while still coming off. Thank you again for all your help. And as usual, you all rock! We just need to learn to drive.