VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

[insttech1]

I've been having a few issues w/ my engine, and when I replaced my cap/rotor last year, I researched correct plug wire orientation.

Now I need to re-confirm. I think the diagram I found online may not have been engine or s/n specific, and I see Merc uses the same block/distributor, etc....and they swapped plug routing around the same year as my engine was made.

Can anyone post the correct routing so I can confirm my wire orientation, please?

I know firing order is 1, 3, 4, 2, and I suspect I have 1 and 2 swapped.

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

The first thing you have to do is make sure where #1 plug wire goes. To do that you need to find #1 TDC on the compression stroke, like THIS. Then look at where the rotor is pointing, that is #1. Then put the rest of the wires on in the 1-3-4-2 order. going Clock wise.

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Thanks Don.
One question: Can I use the same method (as in piston 3 should have rotor pointed at #3 plug wire) if I already have one of the pistons (not number 1) at the top of its stroke? Right now one of the pistons is right at the edge of the spark plug hole.

I don't have a remote starter, and I assume using the standard starter will make it hard to exactly hit TDC on number 1?

Or, how would I "turn engine by hand"? I would assume by using a heavy wrench on the harmonic dampener, but that's a bugger to get to....

Thanks!

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

OK Don I got it....took about 6 super-quick cranks w/ the regular starter, but I could see the rotor from where I was at, and I ended up within about 1/16" for the timing marks.

I DID have numbers 1/2 swapped.

So now I'm wondering: Did I swap them somehow last year when winterizing, or had they been this way for some time....and what are the overall engine symptoms if run in this condition? As well as it ran last season, I don't think this was like this previously?

Either way....feelin' stupid....thanks for the help!!

Thanks!

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Well....that part's FIXED! Runs now....just need to adjust timing.

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Might want to read this thread on setting the timing before you have problems http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=271407

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Thanks Don!
I already had, but was going to re-read just in case.

I'll make that jumper tomorrow. I've already inspected the pin configuration; I have the female sides to fit, and can solder the lead/short and lead for positive in a few minutes tomorrow. At least THAT part I'm completely comfortable with, as apparently my plug wiring left something to be desired....

I appreciate the heads up on not connecting batt' until the engine is running!

Don--Does RPM have an impact on engine timing? I.E. if I am running at 800RPM vs 650, would the timing adjustment be any different? I only ask because I saw a chart about different timing settings vs. RPM, but does that shunt plug override that condition?

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

You shouldn't be running at that rpm. 650 to 700 is fine. I'm sure when in base timing mode it's locked, but haven't really tried it to compare.

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Don,
Right now I have my idle mix' screws adjusted w/ a vacuum gauge, idle adjustment is backed out far enough to not be engaging the throttle at all, and the lowest my RPM will go is 800. Also, my tack only has 100RPM increments, so I don't know exactly how accurate it is.

This carb is a bit strange with the idle adjustment. If I hit the thottle, and let it settle by spring pressure, it will stop at 800 RPM. If I pull back on the throttle manually, it will go about 150 RPM lower. It does this with or without the boat throttle linkage connected, so it's not that adjustment.

What I found last year is if I set driveway/muff throttle to about 800 RPM, then in the water RPM, in gear, idle is about 700RPM. Anything lower than that risks hesitation and stalling.

I did set the diaphram per feeler gauge, but perhaps it needs a little tweak? All of this was after a fresh carb rebuild last year, by the way...

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Disconnect the throttle cable, and adjust the cable end so there is slight pressure to the idle position.

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Alright I will give that a shot.

 

[insttech1]

Re: VP 3.0 GS PWTR s/n 4110177147 plug wire routing, model year 1999

Don,
The home-made timing jumpers worked....got that all set.

As for throttle/idle, it took me a while, but I finally got it. It was a combo of the pawl bend from the diaphram pump to the throttle assembly, the pressure on the diaphram spring, and the fact that when the throttle was at rest, the pawl was partially binding against it, causing the plates not to close that last (critical) fraction.

Now I have a functioning throttle, cable properly set, and an idle adjustment screw that actually makes changes. It's set to 700.

Thanks!!