Re-built engine won't power up......?????

[CraftyCruiser]

We have 2000 Chris-Craft 268 Express Cruiser with a Volvo 5.7L GXI. It recently blew both head gaskets, so we had it rebuilt. and We just put in back in the water and when it fired up it sounded great, no unusual noises, back-firing, etc., and it seemed to idle along just fine. However, when we pulled out past the no-wake zone it would not get over 3000 rpms, and never got on plane. I took it back in and had the marina mechanic check the timing which was spot on. He took it out and had no idea what was causing it to not go over 3000, he said he thought it was a computer problem and I should take it to a Volvo dealer to plug it in to see if the computer was limiting it to 3000.

Today I started to load it and noticed it would go well over 3000 rpms when in neutral. However, it would still not go over 3000 and get on plane in open water.

Any suggestions??? Would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

Ayuh,... Did the fuel Filters get changed,..??

 

[alien4fish]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

did you do the rebuild or did you send it out to a shop?
LIKE Bondo says, maybe they didnt change the fuel filter, but if its a fresh rebuild that would be elementry. If theres a computer on board it may be thinking it still has a problem and maybe it would be best to take it over to volvo and see if its popping any codes. the Computer may be overiding the the motor to protect it from being damaged(rev limiter) let us know how it goes im curious about this one

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

Put muffs on it and see if it will do it in gear under no load. Go from there

 

[CraftyCruiser]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

Thanks for the replies here, this forum is always a great source.

I didn't do the re-build myself (I wish I was that mechanically inclined). I had the engine pulled by one guy, re-built by another, and put back in by the same who took it out.

I am pretty sure he changed the fuel-filter but I have a call in to him to verify that.

What has me confused is why it is limited to 3000 rpms only under load, when trying to get on plane. Yet when its in neutral it has no problem going way up. Would the fuel filter still be a potential problem then?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

What has me confused is why it is limited to 3000 rpms only under load, when trying to get on plane. Yet when its in neutral it has no problem going way up. Would the fuel filter still be a potential problem then?

Ayuh,... In Neutral is Meaningless.. Pull 6 of the sparkplugs wires off it,+ it'll still redline in neutral...

It's bogging out when it does, because That's when it's burning the Most fuel...

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

I'm with bond o on that, change filters first. Ask your guy about the lifters. Ask him if he Timed the cam staight up. Is it fuel injected? If so it has an ECM somewhere. Plug it in and scan it for codes. If it's not fuel injected get yourself a 5 gal can of fresh gas, run appropriate fuel line from can to inlet of carb. If it runs out. You have fuel starvation issues that can be tracked from there.

 

[CraftyCruiser]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

Bond-o and Tommywalton, thanks for the input!

Tommy it is fuel-injected so I may have to take it to have tested (plugged in to ECM).

Bond-o, in regards to pulling 6 sparkplugs off, not to sound too ignorant but are you saying I should actually pull some plugs and turn it over to check for something? If that would be a way to check for something then I am all for it if it will save me from having to drag it to a dealer and wait several weeks.

"Pull 6 of the sparkplugs wires off it,+ it'll still redline in neutral...
It's bogging out when it does, because That's when it's burning the Most fuel..."

THANKS again guys for all your help, this forum is the best.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

Sounds to me like your timing is not advancing.

I think Bond-O was just making a point - no load and under load are completely different, like comparing apples & oranges.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

I think Bond-O was just making a point - no load and under load are completely different, like comparing apples & oranges.

Ayuh,... Exactly,... Reving to the moon, Without Load is Meaningless,+ only leads to Blown motors...

 

[Matt89GT]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

After changing the filters as bondo suggested, I would check the timing, it might be off, did he replace the timing chain? On a double roller chain the crank gear will have 3 setting's, A, B, and 0, it needs to be set to 0, I have seen in happen at least 10 times people rebuilding them and they dont pay attention and it will rev to the moon in neutral which means nothin and its not until you put a load on it that it cuts out, and it will show thats its in perfect time while the crank is off. maybe a long shot but its worth considering, just sayin

 

[CraftyCruiser]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

If the timing is not advancing, which could certainly be the case, what would cause that and what could possibly done to fix that issue?

 

[Matt89GT]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

ask him what timing set he used. I bet the crank is out of time, the gear on the crank needs set to 0, where as that will not let timing advance as it should, consider all suggestions.

 

[jtmarten]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

If the timing is not advancing, which could certainly be the case, what would cause that and what could possibly done to fix that issue?

If you're setup is distributorless, I don't know. If you have a dizzy, could be the pickup/advance plate is stuck, if you have a vac advance (doubtful) could be lack of vac source.
IF you can adjust the dizzy to adjust timing, your timing should be set 34-36* @ 3000rpm. Initial timing will be wherever it falls to get proper full-advance timing. (Assuming you have full advance in at 3000!)

On my jetboat I knew my dizzy had 21* total advance in it (setup by machine shop to have full advance @ 2100), so I set my initial at 14*.

If by some chance the dizzy was swapped out with an automotive one, the advance springs will be waayyyyy to stiff to get full advance by 3000.

 

[CraftyCruiser]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

I am going to further show my ignorance here... but what is a 'scan tool'? I will definitely go buy one rather than go to a VP dealer and wait a month to have it looked at.

quote:
<"A suggestion, tell your mechanic to buy a scan tool. Seriously I do not know how anyone can call themselve's a mechanic if they don't own the basic tools and EFI is not new. (You can buy a cheap one for the cost of taking to a VP dealer.)">

 

[RichardRinker]

Re: Re-built engine won't power up......?????

I really hate to jump into another post but I feel we have the same issues with our Boat?s. I have same issue as you?re describing which appears to be a timing issue. A little background. I have a 1995 Rinker 212 Captiva with a 350 MerCruiser(cracked block). I replaced it with a running 350 Long Block out of a 1987model boat.

The boat has no power at WOT, However I can advanced the timing while moving and the boat will take off and run at normal top speed which is about 42mph.(which tells my engine and fuel is good) The issue is once I stop the boat. It will not start unless I back off the timing. I?m back to square one. I have a timing light that works on my jeep ( the strobe light will flash) but when I move it over to the boat to check the timing I get no strobe light. Im not sure what is keeping the auto advancing and don?t know where to start investigating.


I like to think I can turn a wrench but sometimes it just gets me in trouble. I just like the feeling of accomplishments.
Thanks RichardA.