NHGuy
Captain
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 3,631
I posted about this issue over the winter and I don't see how to get back to the original remark.
I had been "banging my head against the wall" with plug fouling and rough running at the end of last summer.
I tested for everything physical. Timing, compression, leak down, temperature, battery, charging...
So, on Bondo's advice I got a spark checker and lo and behold. Spark was weak and yellow.
I went through the wiring in the engine compartment and cleaned up all the terminals with a wire brush. Including the connections at the cannon master plug, starter, both batteries, battery switch, engine ground, and the ground master stud (buss?) where they all join together. All the ignition contacts were checked too.
The engine lit off immediately, but I had been disappointed so many times before that I was still hesitant. I set the timing and shut it down. Next day started it on the muffs, still good.
Then yesterday I got in a test ride and it was the best it has run for me, ever!
Lesson learned. Start with the simple stuff.
Those are things I should have checked when the engine was changed. But in my haste to get it installed I missed the chance to more easily reach them while my bilge was empty.
I believe the corrosion was preventing the ignition from functioning fully, even though the alternator was charging.
I had been "banging my head against the wall" with plug fouling and rough running at the end of last summer.
I tested for everything physical. Timing, compression, leak down, temperature, battery, charging...
So, on Bondo's advice I got a spark checker and lo and behold. Spark was weak and yellow.
I went through the wiring in the engine compartment and cleaned up all the terminals with a wire brush. Including the connections at the cannon master plug, starter, both batteries, battery switch, engine ground, and the ground master stud (buss?) where they all join together. All the ignition contacts were checked too.
The engine lit off immediately, but I had been disappointed so many times before that I was still hesitant. I set the timing and shut it down. Next day started it on the muffs, still good.
Then yesterday I got in a test ride and it was the best it has run for me, ever!
Lesson learned. Start with the simple stuff.
Those are things I should have checked when the engine was changed. But in my haste to get it installed I missed the chance to more easily reach them while my bilge was empty.
I believe the corrosion was preventing the ignition from functioning fully, even though the alternator was charging.
