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AQ260 57 Died yesterday

4

43_lx_merc_1996

Regular Contributor
"We were cruising at 2500, mot

"We were cruising at 2500, motor started sputtering & backfiring, then died. When we try to re-start it will fire but not run. For the past month it did have a noisy valve (I think).

Any ideas? Pull the head off?

Much appreciated!"
 
"May its soul rest in peace &#

"May its soul rest in peace (or is it in pieces???).
wink.gif


Sorry, now seriously.

The simplest thing you can start doing is checking is the distributor has moved from its original position (maybe the clamp bolt is loose?). If OK, remove the cap and check its internal condition, as well as the rotor's, points, etc. If all OK, run a compression test and report back the results and we'll take it from there.

I hope this will be enough for you to start looking at some obvious causes."
 
"Check fuel filter for water.

"Check fuel filter for water. ( Remove carefully, pour out into glass jar...wait a few mins)"
 
"I'm with the guys!
Use

"I'm with the guys!
Use the good ole P of E.... (process of elimination).... one item only at a time until you either find a problem, and/or eliminate several possibilities."
 
Start with the cheap and easy

Start with the cheap and easy items first. Too many folks immediately go for the big ticket item first. Very often its something really easy.

Spent many years in electronics... Rule number one..."Make sure it's plugged in!"
 
"Ok, here is what I found:
-

"Ok, here is what I found:
-No water in fuel
-Distributor tight
-Still loud rocker (Tick-tick) noise around #5 Cyl (see first post)?
-Engine still will not start.

Ideas?"
 
"Try a compression test and re

"Try a compression test and report back the results. You may also want to remove the valve cover and have a look at the rockers in cyl #5. Further, you should remove the distributor cap and see how the distributor looks onside (rotor, points, etc)."
 
Unfortunately I can't get

Unfortunately I can't get down to the boat for another week. Will get back with results ASAP. Thanks again for everyone's great help!
Chris
 
Finnaly got back to the boat t

Finnaly got back to the boat today. The compression varied randomly from 135-150 on all cylinders. The rockers and distributor etc looked ok. Thoughts?
 
"The compression looks good. M

"The compression looks good. Make sure you have a flapper valve in the outdrive exhaust. If not, consider installing an exhaust bellows with a flapper valve.

Have you checked the ignition timing?"
 
"Nothing to do with your immed

"Nothing to do with your immediate issue, but keep your battery (s) charged up while doing all of this testing, etc.
Damage occurs to wet cell batteries when left in a state of discharge. Keep em topped off!

Chris, the only suggestion that I still have is to go through one item ONLY at a time and make sure all is working. P of E!

Fuel: Is the pump working? Filter good? Fuel tank pick up tube and the "screen" at the bottom clean? Anti-siphon valve good?

Carburetion: Carb working? Any water in fuel/carb? Have you removed/cleaned/replaced the Q-jet fuel screen?

Ignition: What color is your spark if you were to place a <u>spark plug and wire</u> directly into the coil and crank the engine over? (you want to see a whitish/bluish colored spark.... not yellow!)

With a VOM: Got power to coil? Purple wire circuit have power? What is the voltage here? Ballast resistor OK? Any questionable connections? Engine harness connection tight/good?

."
 
"Allen:
Sprocket wheels and c

"Allen:
Sprocket wheels and chain!
Chris:
Bring along a timing light and multimeter and get the timing verified by cranking. In a case like this, You need 'solid evidence' and not just 'looks fine'.
Do You have 12 Volts from starter to coil when cranking?
Do You have 12 Volts into the ballast resistor with 'ign on' and about 9 Volts out of resistor to coil when 'ign on'?
Check by ohm meter that Your resistor in the rotor is not burned out. If possible replace points and cond. Use a dwell meter and not the points opening to set the points. That old distributor may give You headache. When changing the points take out the bottom plate in the dist and check for broken springs or stuck weights."
 
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