Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

JustJason, got that. Just confused at how it ran with no problems for months until I removed the exhaust manifold. then it stopped running except intermittently, now nothing. going to realign the timing tomorrow. Just surprised that it ran fine before and after I changed the belt, and the belt wasn't even the issue it was the manifold being clogged. Thanks. Dennis

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

It just smells like the timing belt. Frankly I hope it is. Get you back on the water.

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Well I'm back to where I was a few days ago. I took the timing belt off, realigned the marks and installed the belt with the marks on the belt lining up with the marks on the pulleys. Followed the manual Don told me to download, the compression is great 130-135 on all 4 so now I have the compression back. Also have the spark at the plugs, but the boat still won't fire. As far as I can tell the fuel system is good, when I dump the gas filter, then start it, the gas comes right from the tank to the filter quickly. Haven't checked the carb today, but last week, I would push the throttle back and forth and it would squirt gas. Will recheck that tomorrow. Anyway, the source of the belt slipping is my next concern. I know the belt was properly installed or at least it was on without disturbing the timing when it was running, what I noticed today was that as the engine turned over, a few times it jerked backwards (battery I believe is almost dead, recharging). I think this is how the belt slipped leaving me with no compression. I am certain it is timed correctly, as I ensured every mark was right where is should be and the belt as well. Any ideas on why it might jerk backwards? Thanks for the help with the compression. I have a feeling I will be back in the engine again. Dennis

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Did you try the static timing? That method should get you close enough to start the engine. It sounds like your getting fuel and spark so I think I'd be looking into the timing. Also double check the spark plug wires are in the right order.

 

[Robj]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Now that you have the belt timed correctly, try moving the distributor while cranking the engine. Or line up to #1 TDC and see where the rotor is in relation to #1 cylinder plug wire. If it is off, you may have to remove the distributor to re-align the drive gear to get it timed correctly.

Have a great day

Rob.

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

lined up the belt and gears, then checked the plug wires for proper connection, my understanding is that on the cap there is a number 1. starting clockwise from the 1 should be the #1 wire correct? so I set the wires from there 1342 firing order, started the boat and got backfire through the carb with no start, did this several times, tried turning the dist. did not start at all, just kept backfiring through the carb. should I at this point remove the distributor and realign? My question is that if the belt and gears are correct and the wires are correct what will taking the dist. out of the block do? Just need to understand what i am doing before I do it. thanks, I think I am almost there.

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

also, from the dist. cap, the firing order is 1342 correct? If so, what is the firing order down the plugs from the front of the motor? The same or is it different. Thanks.

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

1342 is correct. cylinders are 1234 from front to back.

You may want to rotate the engine around until the timing mark lines up with TDC mark. Check the distributor. The rotor should be pointing to the #1 spark plug on the compression stroke. Is it close? Or it could be 180 Deg. off in which case your not on the compression stroke and need to rotate 360 deg. Or you can pull #1 plug and rotate the motor and feel for compression by sticking you thumb over the plug hole. As the mark approached TDC you should feel compression building. If no compression at that point, go another rotation. Does this make sense?

If you are trying to turn the distributor and cannot turn it far enough in one direction or the other because of wires or something holding it up, Then you may need to reposition the distributor.

Not sure if this helps. Maybe someone else can explain better.

Good Luck.

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Boat started up finally, the wires were in the right place, had to reposition the dist., however, it still wasn't enough, but close enough I think, here is what happened. All timing marks aligned and was at TDC, Rotor pointing to #1, started up and turned dist. as far as I could counter clockwise, clockwise boat stalled). The dist. ended up as far as it could go until it hit the stop on the bracket hold down. Tightened down dist, started and hooked timing light, marks on the crank lined up with about 5-6 degree mark on the timing cover, runs good, just not sure if I need to worry about it not being exactly at 6 degrees, I would hate to go through the process again. If I do, can the dist. be removed and turned back without tearing down the engine again? Also, seawater pump doesn't seem to be sucking water..I have it in a tub and can hear gurgling in the strainer, but no water flowing through. Thoughts? Thanks, I think I am winning.

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

can the dist. be removed and turned back without tearing down the engine again?

should be able to pull it right out of the hole I think. Mine pulls right out.

I would hate to go through the process again.

This was the easy part. Do you have a dwell meter? after you adjust your dwell you'll have to readjust the timing anyway.

Glad to hear you got it running!!!!!!!

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

seawater pump doesn't seem to be sucking water

Pull the impeller, replace if you haven't replaced in the last two years or don't know when. Can't you use muffs? then you can see the water coming out the exhaust.

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Will try muffs, need to replace impeller anyway, so I will change that this week. At least that's easy. As for dwell, another area I am not familiar with but do understand that dwell is the time the points remain either open or closed (don't know which) anyway someone gave me a dwell meter, actron older model, have no idea how to use it, no instructions, it has a spark plug wire clamp, a ground wire, red and black battery cable connection, and then two black wires one square one round and no markings, the ends are slip on connector type female I believe maybe for the coil?

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

On my meter, the plug pickup goes on #1 plug wire, ground goes to ground and one lead goes to the side of the coil with the wire from the distributor. Yours may have battery leads for power as well.

Looks like you need to be at 62 deg +/-3deg.

Hook the meter up and start the motor and see what it says, adjust from there.

First get your water flow issue resolved. Now that its running, don't need anymore problems.

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Found the dwell meter instruction manual on line. Will check tomorrow. thanks. Hope it works right.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Lets get back to the timing belt for a minute.

You changed the original belt, installed a new one WITHOUT loosening or tightening ANYTHING?

There should be an idler pulley used as a belt tensioner that takes up the slack to PREVENT the belt from jumping a tooth, and getting out of time.

If you did NOT reset the belt tension as spelled out in the service manual this is going to happen AGAIN.

And when you LEAST expect it.

Like when your a few MILES away from the dock?

 

[rdengil1]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ131D will not start

Thanks to everyone for helping me get the boat running. All issues were fixed. But wait, here is the new one. after replacing the timing gears and resetting the timing, I adjusted it to 6 degrees by the manual specs. put it in the water and it ran fine until I throttled up, once I started to push forward with the throttle under load, it started to backfire. I pushed all the way and the boat took off with no backfire ran fine, as soon as I stop and try to throttle up again, it backfires (unless I push the throttle to full). Not sure what is causing this. I have checked the timing and it is at 6 degrees at idle with an rpm range of 850-900. My point gap is set at .016. I do not know what dwell is and havent' figured that out. I do have the meter, but not sure how to use the thing or even know if I need to. (In other words, could this be the source of my problem?) If not, I need to move on to what might be. All plugs and wires are good, could the belt have jumped a tooth and still run, could I be back where I was a month ago? Open to any troubleshooting ideas. thanks. At least it fires!