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Help! AQ131D won't start

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kmcculler

New member
Hey guys!
I'm out of ideas and hoping somebody on here can lend me their brain for a bit. I've got a AQ131D Volvo that I just can't get started. I've been doing some work on it recently. First the U-Joint bellows needed to be replaced, then the impeller. While I was doing all this I changed the oil and filters for both the engine and sterndrive.
After all this was done I tried starting it up and just as it seemed the engine was gonna start up it would backfire (extremely loudly) and die. I looked things over and decided to replace the spark wires as they were very old and one had some burned insulation. While I was at it I replaced the points. This time when I started it up there was nothing. The engine turns over but it seems like it's getting no fire...not a rumble or backfire or anything.
I've tested and the new wires have a strong spark. I reset the points as best I could. I cleaned up the carb and made sure the jets aren't clogged. I've hooked up a external tank with fresh fuel, even tried spraying some starter fluid directly into the carb.
I'm out of ideas....Any of you marine geniuses have a fix for me? Or perhaps you at least can point me in the direction of what to test next?
 
IMO, and for a novice mechanic (no offense), one should never change or fiddle with more than one area at a time!
Use the tried and proven P of E.... (process of elimination), one item and only one item at a time!


Bill is correct..... point dwell is what you'll want to set..... not Gap!
You're looking for a crisp, snapping white or whitish-blue spark...... not yellow!
Look underneath the contact breaker plate. The flyweights must be clean and free to move in either direction. If not, the progressive advance will not function properly.

Make certain that the timing belt is indexed correctly.
Make sure that the belt tensioner is in great condition, and adjusted correctly.


.
 
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To my understanding those can't really be checked until the motor is running. I set the gap on the points as best I could giving it a .016 in gap. I verified the rotor is at plug #1 when the mark is TDC.
 
TDC comes around twice for each complete engine cycle!
You'll want the rotor to aim at/near the corresponding #1 cap tower while the crankshaft is at TDC ....... but only at TDC C/S (Compression Stroke)!

Check the the timing belt indexing!

.
 
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kmcculler said:
To my understanding those can't really be checked until the motor is running. I set the gap on the points as best I could giving it a .016 in gap. I verified the rotor is at plug #1 when the mark is TDC.
Click to expand...

I hope you're not insulted by this suggestion, but I've seen it done. Hopefully you set the gap with the points at the high point of the disti's cam?.... and lubed the cam with the furnished (typically) grease?....(not related to present problem, but to a quite near future issue if skipped). Did you change the condenser at the same time?
 
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Not offended in the least. If I was an expert I would be answering questions on here instead of asking them.

Yes I set the gap at the high point and lubed the cam. I did not change out the condenser.

I haven't had the chance to work on it in the past few days. I've been sick and its been very wet where I am.
 
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