1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

[bsmize]

Alright a little background first. It's a 91 four winns 190 freedom with the 4.3l OMC cobra. The boat runs great but at times after sitting on the water for a while, it acts like it doesn't want to crank. It just turns over at a normal speed but never actually "fires". I was on the water with some friends the other day and was told it sounds like a timing issue. I've checked the carb, changed the plugs, and made sure it was getting fuel. So the timing issue would make sense.

My problem is I have no idea how to adjust the timing for this thing. You guys have given me some great advice before so I'm hoping ya'll can help me out with this one. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Alright a little background first. It's a 91 four winns 190 freedom with the 4.3l OMC cobra. The boat runs great but at times after sitting on the water for a while, it acts like it doesn't want to crank. It just turns over at a normal speed but never actually "fires". I was on the water with some friends the other day and was told it sounds like a timing issue. I've checked the carb, changed the plugs, and made sure it was getting fuel. So the timing issue would make sense.

My problem is I have no idea how to adjust the timing for this thing. You guys have given me some great advice before so I'm hoping ya'll can help me out with this one. Thanks in advance!!

Ayuh,.... Do a Full, 'n Complete Tune Up, rather than a piecemeal attack on it....

 

[bsmize]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Yeah I do plan on doing that but for now I would like to figure out how to adjust the timing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Yeah I do plan on doing that but for now I would like to figure out how to adjust the timing.

Ayuh,... With a Timing Light...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Unless you have changed the timing lately, that's not going to be your problem if the engine just doesn't start.

 

[bsmize]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Thank you bruceb58. I haven't necessarily messed with the timing. All I have done is took the distributor apart and checked for any moisture. I changed the spark plugs, cleaned the breather, and checked to make sure the carb was getting fuel. I had a few friends that own boats on the water the other day telling me that. I honestly have no idea. Guess I'm just gonna have to take it to a mechanic.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Took your distributor apart?

Have you checked your ignition by taking a plug wire off and holding it 1/4" from the block and checking for spark?

 

[bsmize]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Took your distributor apart?

What I did was took the top off, pulled the rotor and just wiped everything clean. There was no moisture just a lot of dust.

Have you checked your ignition by taking a plug wire off and holding it 1/4" from the block and checking for spark?

I have not done this. I just replaced all of the plugs a week ago. None of the plugs in it previously were gapped the same and they were corroded.

The only time it is doing this is after you run it for a while and let it sit for about fifteen minutes or so. It just turns over and never seems to want to start. This last time, I started having to give it throttle to help it crank.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

The only time it is doing this is after you run it for a while and let it sit for about fifteen minutes or so.

Take it out for a good run, only this time when you stop, open the engine hatch to let the heat out. Then see if it starts up normally.
You may be vapor locking.

 

[bsmize]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Don, I will give that a try. Is there a way to keep it from doing that? Should I just run the blower for a few mins after turning if off?

 

[HCMQA]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

Always run the blower before starting.
Most older carbs will need a few pumps of the throttle in order to start.
If you pump the the throttle or set the throttle a little (not in gear of course) will it start?
Mine recently behaved like this and it turned out that the carb needed rebuilt.

 

[bsmize]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

It has an Edelbrock carb on it. I believe it's a four barrel. But when I first pull it off the trailer, I always pump it three or four times before cranking it, and she fires right up. When it started giving me trouble on the water the other day, I gave it a few pumps and she turned over a few times but eventually fired right up. The last time, I just set the throttle forward while turning it over and it fired up. I guess it could be a carb issue.

 

[duke3478]

Re: 1991 OMC 4.3L in Four Winns 190 Freedom timing issue???

I've had several engines affected by the coil getting too hot behaving this way. Do you smell fuel AT ALL when you open the engine cover?

If it's vapor locked sometimes it will still cough and sputter but not start. When I've had the coil issue, it's just... dead. And the coil would sizzle when I touched it with a wet finger. Next time this happens, touch the coil carefully. From what I understand it should be hot, but not SO hot you can't touch it for a second or two without injury.

If it IS too hot, check condition of plug leads, coil to distributor lead, and verify wiring is connected well. Gaps cause heat. If it's engine heat, making a bracket to relocate and isolate the coil can help.