problems starting aq120/270

[doggfather69]

So I canged coil, plugs,wires,points,condenser,rotor and soon the cap. We took the bus out for a test today. The boat started the best it ever has and after a little time ran awsome. However we stopped to swim for a bit and shut the boat down. Now the boat will not start again. Im ready to scream, please help.

1979 volvo penta aq120/270 in a bayliner.

 

[Maclin]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Does the engine turn over with the starter and just not fire up and run? If so, engines need fuel and air in the right mix and spark at the right time so one of those areas is needing help. Move the carb linkage and see if fuel sprays into the throat. Check for bright blue spark at the coil wire.

If it just does not turn over but starter clicks then see if you can move it by hand. If not then pull sparkplugs and try again, it may be hydrolocked.

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Its definatly not fuel. We sprayed starting fluid in it while turning it over and it wouldnt start. It just keeps turning over and wont start. I just dont understand, everything is new, it did start and run for 10 min or so. Then we shut it down for a bit and it wouldnt start. The last time this happened we cleaned the points and it worked. Could the points have gone bad that fast? Im stumped!

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Is it possiblke that the points would have burned up that fast? If so what would cause that. Also I purchased the points from local auto parts, the engine crosses to a 244 or a b21, is that ok? Also do the points come factory set when purchased? If not does anyone know what the setting should be and if that would cause them to burn up?

 

[adeneo]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

....do the points come factory set when purchased? If not does anyone know what the setting should be and if that would cause them to burn up?

The points do not come factory set, but wouldn't that be something. The gap should be 0.4mm, I usually replace the condenser at the same time.

The marine distributor is a little different then the automotive one, but I have no idea if the points are the same, I would guess they are, but I buy points from Volvo Penta, and can't really say anything about points from other manufacturers for a different distributor.

You should be able to see if the points are burnt or have uneven wear, but they usually last a lot longer than a few hours, even if not correctly set.

 

[Don S]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Have you checked to see if you have spark?

Also do the points come factory set when purchased? If not does anyone know what the setting should be and if that would cause them to burn up?

After reading that question, it sounds to me like you was just lucky it ran at all.
No, points to not come preset. They have to open a certain amount. Points are set by turning the engine until pad on the points is on the hi spot of the cam in the distributor. The gap is set with a feeler gauge and should be .016"
The gas is nothing more than a starting point. You then have to start the engine and check the point dwell with a dwell meter until it's 62? or 63? ............. THEN, you have to reset the timing with a timing light.

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Have you checked to see if you have spark?



After reading that question, it sounds to me like you was just lucky it ran at all.
No, points to not come preset. They have to open a certain amount. Points are set by turning the engine until pad on the points is on the hi spot of the cam in the distributor. The gap is set with a feeler gauge and should be .016"
The gas is nothing more than a starting point. You then have to start the engine and check the point dwell with a dwell meter until it's 62? or 63? ............. THEN, you have to reset the timing with a timing light.

Well I understand that but it it was off that much dont you think it would never have ran? I will try that though!

 

[Don S]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Check for spark, if you don't have spark find out why. But I would sure be looking at the points if you didn't adjust them.

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Yea I'm going to check for spark real soon. I picked up another set of points to have a a back up. Also when you say you orsed your points from volvo can you tell me where you would do that?

 

[Don S]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Also when you say you orsed your points from volvo can you tell me where you would do that?

Have no clue what you mean by orsed ..........

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Purchased. Sorry

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Problem was cheap made points. Put a good set in there and set the gap and no problem!

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Ok, like I said we cleaned and reinstalled the old points. We set the gap and it fired up and ran for 15 min or so. Shut it down and restarted with no problem. Thought it was fixed. Took it out for a test run today. Started fine and ran ok. It did seem to start getting a rough idle before starting out. Once it was in drive and under load it stalled. Restarted and got it to go by putting it in drive and jumping on it. However it ran very bad and very rough. Never got a smooth idle or over 5 miles per hour. Backfired once then eventually a small puff and shut down and wouldn't restart. Im very upset and stressed over this. Please help!

 

[sqbtr]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Did you set it to specs acording to post #6

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Yes I did set them to the post #6. However I have a manual that says .016 to .018 and it seems to run much better somewhere in the middle. Howver I was going over each wire and seemed to find a bare one that was clicking. Would that cause my problems? Would that make the points go out of setting?

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Also there is a wire that goes to a heat sensor? It seems ok and I have another that goes to the resistor. Can a bad resistor cause this problem?

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

well, the points didnt move! there was metal shavings in the distributor itself. I shop vaced all of it out and checked and tighened the points. I fixed where I think it was shorting out due to bare wire. I fired it up and it ran decent. Put it into drive and there seems to be no problem. Going to take it out into water later today or tomorrow. If it runs bad in the water does anyone else have an idea where to look next?

 

[sqbtr]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

I would definately want to find out where the metal shavings came from. You have to set the points with a dwell meter not a feeler gauge.

 

[doggfather69]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

The boat is a 79.... why would I need a dwell meter? Why wouldn't the feeler guage be alright?

 

[sqbtr]

Re: problems starting aq120/270

Feeler gauge will get you in the ball park, but these engines are tune sensitive.

Two degrees of dwell= one degree of timing, so every time you change your point clearance you are effectively changing you base timing. Set it by the book and you can cross one more thing off the list that may be causing your problem.