Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

[four winns 214]

I have a Volvo Penta 5.0 GXib installed in a 2002 Four Winns 214. It has about 150 hours. I bought the boat in 2007 and as far as I am able to tell, the plugs, wires, cap and rotor have never been changed. The engine starts and runs perfectly, but I'm going to replace the above ignition components based on their age.

I would appreciate and hints, tips, or tricks to accomplishing this work. I do have the appropriate factory manuals. The plug wires appear to be in perfect condition. Is there any way to test them?

 

[SCHRECK]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

if it isnt broken dont fix it peter

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

If you have any problem with rough running or hard starting, the first thing people are going to tell you is to do a fresh tuneup. When you bought the boat, it was 5 years old. If the basic ignition components weren't serviced, what about the rest of the boat. Bottom line is that if you don't know when service was performed then you just don't know.

If it runs perfect now, why not spend a few bucks to keep it that way?

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

If it runs perfect now, why not spend a few bucks to keep it that way?

It's called preventive maintenance, not the "Wait till it breaks to fix it" method described by SCHRECK. If you wish to spend every weekend fixing and finding minor problems, the just keep running it. If you want to boat all summer, every summer, then preventive maintenance is what you will need to do. This includes tuneups, oil changes, gear lube changes, impeller changes, bellows changes and (the list goes on).
Preventive maintenance is almost cheap compared to repair costs.

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

OK, I guess I wasn't clear. I intend to replace the ignition components.

My questions were 1) Any hints, tips, or tricks to accomplishing this work? 2) Any way to test the plug wires?

 

[mcleaves]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

Good luck getting those plugs out if they have been in there that long..

Don't force them. You may need to spend some time with penetrating oils etc to get them to move if they are frozen

#1 reason IMO to do plug annually, running good or not

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

OK, I guess I wasn't clear. I intend to replace the ignition components.

My questions were 1) Any hints, tips, or tricks to accomplishing this work? 2) Any way to test the plug wires?

No, you were clear...

Plug wires degrade from heat and age. Inspect them carefully for cracks, brittleness etc. Personally, I would change them if I were doing a full tune up.

You say you have the manual. That's good. Like anything else, it's attention to detail.

Do you have a timing light, dwell meter, gap gages, compression test gage? You may also need a universal joint & extension for your ratchet. Some plugs are very difficult to reach otherwise.

Make sure your new wires are run properly (plug to distributor cap). A "pre" digital photo or two may save you some head scratching.
Make sure you orient the distributor cap properly and not at 180 degrees. Most are keyed by different screw sizes, but it still happens.
Use a little dielectric grease in the plug & coil wire boots
Check/set the gap on your new plugs.
Check/set your dwell, set the timing.
A compression test is always good to do, and often necessary before a thorough and final tune-up to eliminate any other problems. If there is a compression problem it will be very difficult to fine tune.

All I can think of for now.

Good luck.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

Freshening up the parts you mentioned is always good.

That engine should be all electronic ignition so any dwell and timing adjustments should not be needed if it runs as good as you say. My concern would be that if you have not checked timing and dwell on an engine like this before then you may end up thinking something needs adjusting and start chasing a non-existent problem and end up causing one.

There is a way to check plug wires but the tester is kind of an expensive item to have around, it is not just an ohmmeter. The best way is to run the engine at night and look for spark "leaks". They are probably still good, so the plugs, cap, rotor are the main items to renew.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

I would be way more concerned of when the last time the drive was pulled and serviced,lube changed,u-joints greased,ect...
Has any of this been done since you bought it?

replacing plugs,wires and cap is pretty straight forward if you have done any engine work before.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

Gary, I agree with your assessment on the priorities, the mechanical items mentioned can cause way more problems and will be more difficult and expensive to fix when preventative maintenance on them has been ignored (in comparison to the relative ease and economics of the ignition items) .

 

[four winns 214]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

I have replaced the cap, rotor, wires, and plugs on a Mercruiser with Thunderbolt IV ignition. Along with that, I changed the ignition sensor assembly to a later style. Pretty straight forward. When I bought the parts, the parts guy gave me tips that were helpful, hence my question.

I've looked things over on this V-P and things look as straight forward, but it never hurts to ask. In my business, it's better to ask dumb questions than make dumb mistakes.

The drive has been serviced regularly.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

Wow a rare parts guy indeed! 'nutcase

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

I have replaced the cap, rotor, wires, and plugs on a Mercruiser with Thunderbolt IV ignition. Along with that, I changed the ignition sensor assembly to a later style. Pretty straight forward. When I bought the parts, the parts guy gave me tips that were helpful, hence my question.

I've looked things over on this V-P and things look as straight forward, but it never hurts to ask. In my business, it's better to ask dumb questions than make dumb mistakes.

The drive has been serviced regularly.

Sounds like you are good to go then!