My faithful port-side v6 4.3 carburated in not starting but it is turning (cranking). I had to say that I replaced the distributor cap , distributor sensor (internal), coil, new sparkplugs cables and rotor .. sparkplugs are 1 year old. Like I said never had problem with the engine just replaced the parts because I did the same maintenance to my starboard one so I want to keep both engines with the same maintenance schedule.
I have BRAVO 2 setup so my neutral safety switch is located at the control box level at the helm.. It is not like the Alpha 1 that the neutral safety switch is located at the engine area linkage
Boat was on the trailer when I did the maintenance and the engine started right up after the parts were installed.. so I said , great I ready for spring . Well as soon as the boat hit the water at the lake .. the engine ran for 5 seconds and then die. Here is a list of all the parts and troubleshooting complete so far.
1) Check all the cables , voltage from the ignition switch to the coil = Coil is getting 12 V (purple cable)
2) Replaced the kill switch ( because I had a new one sitting in my garage) .. Did not want to take any chance with an old one..
3) check spark from coil to Distributor.. = STRONG spark
4) Check spark from Distributor to sparkplugs = Strong spark
5) Check timing .. verify that timing chain did not jumped.. everything i s fine. timing is correct on TDC the new rotor is pointing to #1 at the distributor
6) swap the ignition module from my working starboard to the now failing port engine == no difference ..still no running
7) Connect directly to the + pn the coil the positive of the battery... no difference
8) replaced my oil sensors pressure units at the oil filter area. ( good pressure)
9) pull out the distributor to check if the bottom gear was missing a piece. Distributor was en excellent condition
10) checked the inside of the camshaft with a endoscopy camera to check for broken parts .. nothing found
11) Swap the ignition switch from my working starboard engine -->did not make a difference
12) Starting fluid on carburetor .. I have plenty of fuel , but I want to try with the starting fluid.. well the name of the can got my attention at this point ---no running
13) disconnect the ignition module for the just in case that need to be reset in order to get the new signal input from the new oils sensors unit.. I think that maybe one could send a signal to the ignition module because there is one that shutoff the fuel pump for safety ..ayway .. did not make a difference.
14) Going to swap again the ignition module with the new oil sensor to see what happened
remember this engine never never gave me any problem , timing , carburetor, everything was just fine ... actually , after the new parts were installed it ran fine at the trailer , and just for 5 seconds on the water and that was it.
15) I also checked on the batteries..(1 year old battery) new batteries
16) Fuel is fresh .. my starboard engine does not complain and its getting fuel from the same tank as the portside one
18) Of course that I tried several coils.. same result.
19) I swap the distributor pick up sensor (inside de distributor)
20) It is using brand new sparkplugs cables.
21) sparkplugs are dry and clean
22) Pressure on piston #1 is 120..
So I have fuel (even with starting fluid), Spark , compression and the engine does run... What I may missing here ..? please help..
I have BRAVO 2 setup so my neutral safety switch is located at the control box level at the helm.. It is not like the Alpha 1 that the neutral safety switch is located at the engine area linkage
Boat was on the trailer when I did the maintenance and the engine started right up after the parts were installed.. so I said , great I ready for spring . Well as soon as the boat hit the water at the lake .. the engine ran for 5 seconds and then die. Here is a list of all the parts and troubleshooting complete so far.
1) Check all the cables , voltage from the ignition switch to the coil = Coil is getting 12 V (purple cable)
2) Replaced the kill switch ( because I had a new one sitting in my garage) .. Did not want to take any chance with an old one..
3) check spark from coil to Distributor.. = STRONG spark
4) Check spark from Distributor to sparkplugs = Strong spark
5) Check timing .. verify that timing chain did not jumped.. everything i s fine. timing is correct on TDC the new rotor is pointing to #1 at the distributor
6) swap the ignition module from my working starboard to the now failing port engine == no difference ..still no running
7) Connect directly to the + pn the coil the positive of the battery... no difference
8) replaced my oil sensors pressure units at the oil filter area. ( good pressure)
9) pull out the distributor to check if the bottom gear was missing a piece. Distributor was en excellent condition
10) checked the inside of the camshaft with a endoscopy camera to check for broken parts .. nothing found
11) Swap the ignition switch from my working starboard engine -->did not make a difference
12) Starting fluid on carburetor .. I have plenty of fuel , but I want to try with the starting fluid.. well the name of the can got my attention at this point ---no running
13) disconnect the ignition module for the just in case that need to be reset in order to get the new signal input from the new oils sensors unit.. I think that maybe one could send a signal to the ignition module because there is one that shutoff the fuel pump for safety ..ayway .. did not make a difference.
14) Going to swap again the ignition module with the new oil sensor to see what happened
remember this engine never never gave me any problem , timing , carburetor, everything was just fine ... actually , after the new parts were installed it ran fine at the trailer , and just for 5 seconds on the water and that was it.
15) I also checked on the batteries..(1 year old battery) new batteries
16) Fuel is fresh .. my starboard engine does not complain and its getting fuel from the same tank as the portside one
18) Of course that I tried several coils.. same result.
19) I swap the distributor pick up sensor (inside de distributor)
20) It is using brand new sparkplugs cables.
21) sparkplugs are dry and clean
22) Pressure on piston #1 is 120..
So I have fuel (even with starting fluid), Spark , compression and the engine does run... What I may missing here ..? please help..
Last edited: