Hard Starting and No Idle

mahdix

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

I will be doing the compression check today. Checking for Spark was last night and 1 and 2 have no spark at IDLE. Is this normal? or does my cdm need replacing?
 

john from md

Commander
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
2,184
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

mahdix,

You need to do more troubleshooting. Have you cleaned and tightened your grounds? Have you ohmed out your trigger, stator and coils? Have you cleaned and tie wrapped your connectors ? ( for engines without the terminal strip on the right side)

You need to do more checking before throwing money at it.

John
 

mahdix

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

my boat runs off of CDM (capacitor discharge modules). They connect to the other end of the spark plug. I was reading in the shop manual that if there is a shorted stop diode (which i don't know if it is in the cdm or the stator) in cdm 3 or 4 that 1 and 2 won't fire. I found a way to check the cdm with a multimeter and will do that immediately. In reply... All grounds are in there proper place and tight. I even cleaned the contacts for all grounds. While I have the multimeter out I will test the trigger and stator as well. thank you for your quick responses and helping with the issue.
 

mahdix

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

so I tested the CDMs and all passed the meter test except for #4!! going to pick up a new one today.
 

mahdix

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

I Replaced cdm #4 and boat finally started and is now running..... however now the timing will not advance. I have a timing light and have it set correctly. when i start the boat, it will idle at spec. Then after about 2 seconds, it will increase in RPM to about 2000. When i read the timing with the light at 2000 RPM the timing stays the same.... 2 btdc. I don't know why it will not advance. The boat will also backfire every few seconds. Any help would be appreciated.
 

pnwboat

Rear Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
4,251
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

The timing is advanced via mechanical linkage on the tower shaft and will not advance unless you move the throttle forward.

You might just need to adjust the idle speed with the screw on the tower shaft.

You mentioned earlier that the reeds were broken. I assume they have been replaced? Do you know if anyone messed with the idle mixture screws on the carburetors?
 

john from md

Commander
Joined
Apr 13, 2008
Messages
2,184
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

If you are using a modern advance timing light, you need to set the dial to 0. The reason for this is that this engine is mechanically timed by advancing the throttle.

You should see 0-2 degrees at idle and when you advance to WOT, you will see 30 or 32 where ever you have it adjusted to.

You should be setting timing on the starter motor instead of doing it while running. You are a candidate for the three finger club if you keep it up.

John
 

CrestII

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
Messages
37
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

That was me that had the broken reeds and someone else was having similar problems so started posting under this thread but to update my situation i have replaced all reeds and gaskets $402 for parts and labor is what it ended up costing me.But now the fuel flows like the ohio river and purrs like a kitten at idle so im back to boating. Thanks for all the help (John from MD) on here and i will definately be back.
 

mahdix

Cadet
Joined
Aug 25, 2009
Messages
7
Re: Hard Starting and No Idle

thanks for everyone's help. It has been a long road for me and this boat and think that it is time for a pro to work on it before I do any damage. Your post have been very helpful along the way. We got to fix a few problems but not all. Thanks again for all the help. After it comes back from the shop, I will post what was done. Just in case it can help someone else.
 
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