2.4 bogs out of the hole

[Alan Power]

I spent yesterday getting the boat ready to take out today, one of the things I did was time the engine as it wasn't quite right last time out. First I decided to remove the spark advance module not paying any attention to how it was supposed to be wired to the engine. I re-timed the engine by the book and tried to start it, it wouldn't fire. So I thought ok, I'll put the spark adv module back on. Not remembering how it was wired I took out the wiring diagram and it turns out it was wired up wrong in the first place. It was wired with the ground on the block and the three wires across the three coils on the top switchbox?????
I re-attached the module and fired the engine up. Is this just coincidence that it didn't fire when it was removed or is there something else.

Second part of my question, when I put the boat in the water and started it, the engine sounded a little rough, and started to die. I gave it a bit of throttle and it picked up, slowly let off back to idle and it was fine. I thought I'd take it for a run and see how it goes, when I pushed the pedal it it totally bogged down, and the more I pushed the more it seemed to struggle until it hits a point where it just snaps to life! The boat takes off but at the end of the run when I let off the throttle it bogs up again and dies. But it still restarts again without any trouble!

Has anyone any idea what this might be, thanks in advance for any ideas. I'm really starting to realise how little I know about this stuff!

Thanks for your help guys, AGAIN!!! Sorry for the Encyclopaedia

Alan

[thaw ripper]

I had the same problem, last spring changed the bad power pack and it ran like a champ! Nice stream have fun. ~tr~

[Alan Power]

I thought it could be that, I'll try do a test on all the electric’s and see what I get.


Thanks, Alan.

[Alan Power]

Well I did a test on all the electric’s that I could for now, my book says there is no way to test the switch box so I couldn't do it earlier. The trigger and stator check out good.
I did a search tonight and found a good thread on troubleshooting the ignition system, but it requires starting the engine and it's a bit too late for that at midnight!

I did start the engine earlier though, with the airbox off and noticed that there is a flash of flame deep inside the carb for no.3 cyl. when I pop the throttle. Bad reeds?

I will test for spark up through the rpm range with a timing light when I get home from work tomorrow. Until then has anyone any other ideas.

Another thing I have been thinking is, I have the engine bolted right on the transom. Could this problem be caused by the large volume of water having to be cleared from the exh. housing before I get going. Or by exh. gas getting under the cowl and smothering the engine. Just some thoughts! I don't know!


Thanks, Alan...:)

[transomstand]

Alan,

If the end of the tuner is below the water at idle, the back pressure can cause a poor idle. I think your boat has a 23 inch transom, so most likely that's not the problem.
I'd want to investigate what's going on with that spark module. The engine should run without it(mine does). It's only there to retard timing at high rpm to stop detonation problems.
I'm assuming you've already done the timing and syncronization procedure? I'd dump the spark module, set max spark at 20 degress, and see how it acts.
It's tough to test switch boxes, I think most guys end up just swapping them to test for bad ones.

Pete

[Alan Power]

I did go through the sync and timing by the book, max is set at 22* BTDC at cranking speed and pickup at 12*ATDC. Is this wrong?
There is also a knock in either # 3 or 5 cyl. I suspect its 3 as this is where I saw the flash in the carb earlier. Will investigate this tomorrow also.

It is wierd the way I found the spark advance module wired though, could this have damaged anything?

[transomstand]

Your timing specs sound right. That module retards timing 2-4 degrees at WOT. I am concerned that you found the module wired incorrectly, but I'm not sure if that could have damaged the switch boxes. ANY knocking noise from the engine would be cause for lots of concern. Is #3 showing any metal on the spark plug?

Pete

P.S. When the heck do you sleep? It must be like 3AM over there.