volvo penta aq131c wont start

[riddell360]

I recently bought a 1990 glastron with a volvo penta aq131c in it. I took it out on the lake last weekend and it took a little bit to start it up but after that, it ran great all day. The problem came when I was trying to figure out why it was running a little hot (180-190), the strainer was overflowing on my distributor cap and causing condensation to build up in the cap. The following Monday I tried to crank it up and it wouldn't start for nothing in the world. I checked for condensation in the cap and it was dry, changed the plugs and wires, the cap, rotor, and points look fine. I'm not getting a spark to the plugs at all, I checked the coil and I was getting 11.9 volts so it's ok. I sprayed engine starter fluid in the carb and I still got nothing. I'm stumped on this problem and when I get it fixed, I get to try and figuring out why it's getting hot but I've got to get it running first. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Riddell360

 

[kelloggs25]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

Did you turn on the blower motor first? Mine will not start if i don't turn on the blower motor for a few seconds..

 

[riddell360]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

I haven't tried that, but I've never turned the blower on before I start it during the prior uses.

 

[riddell360]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

does anyone know what kind of petronix electronic kit I would need to replace the points on an aq131c? I think this is my problem for the non-sparking issue. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. thanks

 

[lcimpala65]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

Well actually, the old points system is very reliable, i'd have to say more reliable than an electronic system. The rub is the points require more maintenance to stay in tune. An old points system will never let you down to the point where you can't fix it in a pinch, can't say the same for electronics. When electronics fail the usually give no warning of their impending failure, they just quit. Just my opinion but I would stay with the old point system, once you learn how to maintian it, it will provide trouble free service. As far as your current problem, if you have voltage at the coil, try and open the points with screwdriver, if you have power at the points you should see or hear a spark jump. If you have the spark, the cause of the engine not starting could be too big or too small a gap at the points. Bring the point rubbing block up on the high point of the cam by bumping over the engine, loosen the little screw and adjust the point gap to .016 (I believe thats the correct gap but I could be mistaken). IF you don't have a spark at the points, pull the condenser wire off the points (the little silver can) and check for spark again. If you have spark ,the condenser is grounded and has failed. If still no spark, check the wiring from the coil to the points for breaks and check for voltage right at the point set. It is possible that the coil has failed, but that is rare and usually manifests itself in misfires/backfires before it dies completly. Then check the cap for corrosion/cracks and the rotor for corrosion, after that check all the plug wires for damage and loose terminal connections. Pull the plugs and check for gap and fuel wetting, if the plugs are wet they won't fire. Hope some of this helps......

 

[riddell360]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

well i bought a test light and clamped it to the negative side of my coil and and touched it to the block and then turned the key and the test light just stays on. The cam on the distributer is pushing the points apart but for some reason it's not breaking the cycle or as the test light results indicate. I've bought new plugs, wires, cap, and rotor so far and I've got nowhere. The Pertronix kit and the Pertronix coil will be here this week and maybe I'll see what it does then. I know it's very frustrating! The help is appreciated though, I'm learning a lot about it as I'm working on it, just wish I could get it going again because it's been 100 degrees or more here the last few days, thanks for the help.

 

[lcimpala65]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

I would submit that your test procedure is slightly flawed. You see the way you connected your test lamp it is in the circuit before the breaker points. As long as there is power to the positive terminal of the coil, with your light connected between the negative terminal of the coil and the block your test light will remain lite no matter what the points are doing. A better test would be to connect your test light in series with the wire going to the point set, that way the light will come on and off as the points open and close. Assuming of course that the points are making contact when closed. If they are not, the light will not illuminate.

 

[riddell360]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

i can see now how my test was useless and that you're right. i've installed the Pertronix kit that came in and i got it to run finally but i just need to adjust the timing on it because when it started up, it ran rough blew out some white spoke and backfired once and it says on the instructions to readjust timing. you wouldn't happen to know what degrees to advance it to would ya? i kept my point system just in case if i have any problems out of the pertronix kit and i bought the coil so i now have an extra coil. i really think that my condensor went out but i'm just glad that i got it going again. now i have to figure out why it's getting a little warm. i will start troubleshooting that later this weekend. i sure do appreciate all of the help and suggestions. thanks

 

[lcimpala65]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

The timing is 6 degrees before TDC.

 

[riddell360]

Re: volvo penta aq131c wont start

do you know of a website that I can check out to view the timing gear diagram? I need to check to see if it has jumped timing.