1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

[Ontherox27]

Have a 7.4lGL Volvo Penta. I started it a couple days ago to winterize it, but it wouldn't take the antifreeze through lower unit. So I drained the manifolds and pulled hose off water pump, and open the valve on the block. I came back to start engine to run water through it, and then add antifreeze, but this time it won't fire. I've added fuel, checked for spark (both coil and spark plug) and can see fuel going into carb when use throttle. Could it be a starting relay? Boat has never not fired.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

:welcome: to iboats

You said you checked for spark but didn't mention if it was found; do you have spark?

 

[Ontherox27]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

:welcome: to iboats

You said you checked for spark but didn't mention if it was found; do you have spark?

Yes, there was spark out of the coil and spark plug wire. I've tried starting fluid and it won't even try to fire.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

Hi there, just a quick thought, maybe the cylinders are flooded with fuel. As a test try pulling out a few spark plugs to see if they are fuel soked. Also leave the throttle full open for atlest ten plus minutes to allow if any fuel to vaporize. Then try to start with little to no throtlle movement. Let us know if that helps or not. Good luck.

 

[Ontherox27]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

Hi there, just a quick thought, maybe the cylinders are flooded with fuel. As a test try pulling out a few spark plugs to see if they are fuel soked. Also leave the throttle full open for atlest ten plus minutes to allow if any fuel to vaporize. Then try to start with little to no throtlle movement. Let us know if that helps or not. Good luck.

Well it's not flooded. Looked at plugs they were all in good shape. Left throttle open about 20 mins and tried and still no fire?

 

[kelleyja]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

If you're using starting fluid and seeing the accelerator pump squirt gas when you use the throttle, but the plugs are dry, that would indicate you are getting some combustion right? The fuel going somewhere.

 

[Ontherox27]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

If you're using starting fluid and seeing the accelerator pump squirt gas when you use the throttle, but the plugs are dry, that would indicate you are getting some combustion right? The fuel going somewhere.

No combustion. It just turns over, but will not combust at all. Im completely stumped. I have fuel, getting fire, and air, but no combustion? I'm getting good fire out of the coil, and I'm checking every spark plug. So far they have all fired.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

No combustion. It just turns over, but will not combust at all. Im completely stumped. I have fuel, getting fire, and air, but no combustion? I'm getting good fire out of the coil, and I'm checking every spark plug. So far they have all fired.

That just doesn't happen, were missing something. Maybe a compression test is in order, but even with low compression there should be something. Either would fire with the slightest bit of spark.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

Well it's not flooded. Looked at plugs they were all in good shape. Left throttle open about 20 mins and tried and still no fire?

Hmm interesting! You may want to have a read through your service manual. Pay special attention of pages 7.3 - 7.6 "E.E.M module". All of section 7 is important to know about until you come up with a solution to this unique problem.

Boatinfo - Volvo Penta NC series Engine Electrical and Ignition Service Manual

Another must read for you,
Boatinfo - Volvo Penta NC series Engine Electrical and Ignition Service Manual

Is your tachometer registering an RPM signal while cranking over?

Do all the gauges appear normal both at key up and while cranking?

 

[Ontherox27]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

Hmm interesting! You may want to have a read through your service manual. Pay special attention of pages 7.3 - 7.6 "E.E.M module". All of section 7 is important to know about until you come up with a solution to this unique problem.

Boatinfo - Volvo Penta NC series Engine Electrical and Ignition Service Manual

Another must read for you,
Boatinfo - Volvo Penta NC series Engine Electrical and Ignition Service Manual

Is your tachometer registering an RPM signal while cranking over?

Do all the gauges appear normal both at key up and while cranking?

Problem solved! Coil wasn't firing hot enough. Put new coil on it fired right up

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

You have the exact same ignition system as I have for the boat in my signature. That system was only used for a couple years and has been known to have some issues. In fact, I just ordered a new Delco EST distributor to replace it(being proactive).

I would see if you have spark on all the spark plugs.

On the subject of starting fluid...don't use it. Just pour a little bit of gas down the carb throat. Starting fluid can damage your engine.

 

[Ontherox27]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

You have the exact same ignition system as I have for the boat in my signature. That system was only used for a couple years and has been known to have some issues. In fact, I just ordered a new Delco EST distributor to replace it(being proactive).

I would see if you have spark on all the spark plugs.

On the subject of starting fluid...don't use it. Just pour a little bit of gas down the carb throat. Starting fluid can damage your engine.

It was a bad coil. I could see it sparking, but wasn't hot enough. We had one sitting around and tested it, and it fired right up.

 

[Ontherox27]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

Got the boat up and running. It turns out the coil was shooting a spark just wasn't hot enough. Put new coil on it and fired right up. Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1996 Volvo penta cranks will not fire?

Make sure your spark plugs are gapped properly and your wires are in good condition. Spark plugs with too large of a gap and bad wires will cause coils to fail.