wont start, now what

[kaw550]

A few weeks ago I could not get my 98 Bayliner with a Merc 4.3 started.

After I gave up I brought it to a marinia.
They cleaned the carb, replaced two components in the iginition (the module and something under the distributor) and the distributor cap.

They also adjusting the timing and checked everything they could.

It still wont start.

It seems to pop on the first try but then floods. Theyc ant tell if it is flooding because of the carb or because it has a weak spark.....

As of Friday they were stumped.

 

[tystick]

Re: wont start, now what

They just threw parts at it!
If the owner does that , it is bad...
if the marina does it , its just bs
If they wacked you - you should say something

 

[Don S]

Re: wont start, now what

Did you look at the spark? was it bright blue and jump a half inch gap with no problem?
Does the accelerator pump squirt fuel when you pump the throttle?
Do you have Thunderbolt V ignition?

Since you "Gave UP" on it and gave it to the marina to fix, mind telling us what all has actually been done.

 

[kaw550]

Re: wont start, now what

Well, I thought the spark was weak.
I could see fuel squirting into the carb.


It does have the thunderbolt ignition.

 

[Don S]

Re: wont start, now what

I know it has Thunderbolt ignition, but is it the IV or V version?

 

[kaw550]

Re: wont start, now what

Well they replaces the ignition coil friday and it seemed to fix the problem.
I was told it was not putting out enough amps.

The spark was not jumping far enough (He basically said what Don S said in the post)

My question is can the bad coil ruin the ignition control module or were they wrong?

 

[pete963]

Re: wont start, now what

i had the same problem with my thunderbolt V igintion last year and what hurt my control module was the sensor in the distributer but i dont know if a weak coil could hurt it i never ran across that situation

 

[searay3]

Re: wont start, now what

Just for future reference....you could replace darn near everything in the ign system less the disrtibutor itself for less than that module cost you. It's also pretty reliable. only replace that when all other components are checked out and ruled out. I would consider another source to do your work. most folks do quite a bit more troubleshooting prior to just replacing parts like that and hoping for the best.

 

[kaw550]

Re: wont start, now what

Well they also replaced the sensor in the distributor.

SO maybe they were right.

 

[searay3]

Re: wont start, now what

Maybe....