Turns over strong but won't start??

[zollman1]

Hello all,

I'm back again with my next issue...

I have a 98 Stingray 190LX with a 4.3L Mercruiser 262cid

I recently replaced a broken starter, and ever since I have not beein able to get my boat running good. The motor turns over strong now (hence starter issue resolved), but it won't actually start.

While I was troubleshooting my starter issue, I had removed all of my plugs to ensure I had no water in the cylinders.

I put all new AC delco plugs back in while I was at it...

Well, I have been trying to get it running ever since and it actually started a few times on muffs, but sounded like it was missing, etc. Took it the ramp and it wouldn't start with the drive in the water..

I started looking at everything again today and realized I had the #1 and #3 plug wires reversed. So fixed that and confirmed all others wires were matched up correctly and I thought that would do it. Went to try and start and sounded like it wanted to start but something still isn't right..

The only other thing I can think of is the gap of the new plugs I bought. The guy at autozone told me to gap them .060, but I saw today on the flame arrestor info panel that they should be .045. Could that difference in gap cause a the motor to not start?

Basically I turn the key, the motor turns over strong, but it won't fire up, and since I corrected the plugs wires, I now have some smoke coming out of the flame arrestor after I turn the key off, and then I hear an electric buzzing sound for a few seconds coming from the carb/flame arrestor area.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

MZ

 

[Lakester]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

Hello all,


I started looking at everything again today and realized I had the #1 and #3 plug wires reversed. So fixed that and confirmed all others wires were matched up correctly and I thought that would do it. Went to try and start and sounded like it wanted to start but something still isn't right..

The only other thing I can think of is the gap of the new plugs I bought. The guy at autozone told me to gap them .060, but I saw today on the flame arrestor info panel that they should be .045. Could that difference in gap cause a the motor to not start?

Basically I turn the key, the motor turns over strong, but it won't fire up, and since I corrected the plugs wires, I now have some smoke coming out of the flame arrestor after I turn the key off, and then I hear an electric buzzing sound for a few seconds coming from the carb/flame arrestor area.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

MZ

hello,

definitely correct the plug gaps to those specified for your engine. it is a rare ignition that wants a 060 plug gap! a conventional gap is 025 to 035 depending... and even with a hot MSD6A a 045 was out there. 040 better for everyday use.

also, if u had the firing order mixed up, double and triple ck it again. once running right i would ID each wire so it is a positive replacement next time u pull the plugs.

has it been sitting? outside? take a look inside the distr and confirm all contact areas are clean. i assume it uses a distributor. even if electronic. i assume a 4.3L is a V6.

u may want to put a thimble or two full of gas directly into carb. if it was mine, i would do my starting for this situation sans the flame arrestor. u are not on the lake, and just want it to run. but be aware if ignition not right, prob will back fire. so be prepared.

good mechanicals, ignition and fuel delivery... impossible not to run. millions do it daily.

let us know what it is...

regards,
lakester

 

[Don S]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

Sounds to me like you still have the plug wires on wrong. That is why it fires back thru the carb when you shut it off.

People at autozone don't have a clue what plug gaps are supposed to be.

Bring the engine up to #1 TDC on the compression stroke, verify the rotor is pointing at #1 plug wire and recheck the firing order.

Oops, wrong firing order.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

with a 4.3L Mercruiser 262cid

Ayuh,.......

Now you're Really going to Cornfuse everybody Don...........

Running the plug wires for a V8, on a V6 is going to be Tough............

 

[Wotam]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

"u may want to put a thimble or two full of gas directly into carb"

Be aware that some of the newer carbs have plastic parts in the venturi... a minor fire in the carb throat can have nasty consequences.

 

[Don S]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

Yea Bondo, yer right, I screwed that one up.
How about this one

 

[Bondo]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

Yea Bondo, yer right, I screwed that one up.
How about this one

Ayuh,........... Much Better.................

 

[zollman1]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'm going to check all this stuff tomorrow a.m., I'm in Orlando under a tornado watch at the moment.

Can't wait to get it running again!

I'll let you know what happens..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

I'm in Orlando under a tornado watch at the moment.

Ayuh,..........

I'm in Watertown in White-Out conditions under Lake-Effect Snows,.........
The High Temp tomorrow is supposed to be 0?.....

I'll trade ya,...................

 

[Don S]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

I'm just left the beach in Ocean Shores about 30 minutes ago. 42? and drizziling rain............... Wouldn't trade either one of you

But I really do enjoy a good thunderstorm. I used to live in Ohio (25+ years ago) and they were always fun to watch.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

I lived in orlando for a few years.... thunderstorms there are spectacular!!!

lightning capital of the world.

 

[zollman1]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!

Once I got spark plugs wires 1 and 3 straightened out and all of the plugs regapped to .045 she fired up like a champ!!

I ran it for 20 mins with no misses or anything, and turned it off and back on several times and she started without hesitation each time.

It's a amazing how good a motor will run when all of the plugs are gapped properly and the spark plug wires are on the right spark plugs!

Thanks again for everyones input! I'm a rookie but I am learning more and more every day...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

The 16 year old that gave you the plugs probably thought they were going into a truck. GM has used .060 plug gap for years so that alone is not "rare". In boats -- yes.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

SO i too have a boat that wont start... I have all the plugs lined up right per my other thread... I have comp gas and spark but.... I also have a 16 year old who sold me spark plugs gapped at .060 would this be why my engine is not starting.... I mean if so what is the appropriate spark plug gap... I have ac delco 's in now... would the .015 really stop the engine from starting?

 

[zollman1]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

YES!!

I didn't think it would matter either but it does!

I had brand new AC Delco Platinum's gapped at .060 = no start... regapped all plugs to .045 = started right up.....

Go ahead and do it so you can atleast rule that out... it only takes a few mins...

 

[Don S]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

It wasn't the spark plug gap that kept your engine from starting, it was this.

Once I got spark plugs wires 1 and 3 straightened out

When you have 1/3 of the cylinders firing at the wrong time, it will never start.
The spark better be able to jump a good 1/2" with a bright blue spark or you have a problem.
I have changed spark plugs on engine during a tuneup that were gapped (or worn) to .060, the engine ran and started. Probably didn't run as good, but it did run and sound fine at idle and no load condition.

 

[zollman1]

Re: Turns over strong but won't start??

I agree 110% Don, having 1 an 3 reversed was the biggest issue, but after correcting that issue the motor still did not want to start. It sounded like it wanted to start a little more but wouldn't actually fire up.. Once I regapped to .045 that is when it decided it was ready to start...

Maybe it was all a conincidence, but it seems the gap of the plugs was interrelated somehow...

The good news is that it is all resolved and I am back up and running.

Thanks again for the assistance.