Nice Crank But No Start - Old School 5.7 GL

[LundTriHull76]

Greenhorn here. Grabbed a 1996 Larson SEI 194 with a Volvo Penta 5.7L GL (GLPNCS). Carbureted! Freshwater, Minnesota. Made two successful outings but the third was a bust. Came back home. Picked up some muffs and a day later, the engine cranked and started in the driveway. About an hour later, we launched at the lake. And again just cranking with no start. New battery and fresh gas since our first outing.

OK, back to the driveway and the cranking / no-start continued. I hooked up an test light (inductive) and I saw that the coil was sending juice so that seems to be OK. I do smell gas immediately upon cranking but my brain doesn't know if this is normal.

I poked around in the fuses under the cowl but those appear to be good.

I checked the electrical connections I could see and these seem to be nice and tight.

I see the forum guidelines call for a fuel system test with some custom made gear. Of course I'm looking for a quick win (fuel filter?) already into July so I'm wondering if y'all have an opinion on where to go next given my experience thus far. Is a gas tank vent a thing for me? I'm having trouble finding that if it exists.

Thank you!

 

[alldodge]

Howdy
Need a voltmeter and spark tester.

Check for 12V on the + side of the coil with ignition ON
Connect the spark tester between coil and distributor

https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-20610-Inline-Spark-Tester/dp/B0002STSC6

 

[LundTriHull76]

Ignition on and positive side of coil is hovering around 9.22V. I will check spark as well. My timing light was strung on the spark plug cable between the distributor and coil and was flashing during cranking--is this acceptable or do you want me to do the spark tester tool anyway?

 

[alldodge]

According to your serial number I'm finding a Prestolite distributor, and hey Lou think it should have 12V at the coil

You can use the timing light but it indicates there is a spark but not how strong it is.

Attach distributor cap and remove a couple plugs and attach plug to it and ground the side. See what kind of spark you get when cranking

 

[LundTriHull76]

First two inline spark tests went like this (video).

 

[alldodge]

Your getting a good enough spark for it to hit. With it not doing that then there is a fuel issue. Its either not getting any, to much or its not gas

 

[LundTriHull76]

Fuel system, ay? Anything a novice can check out? Looks like the fuel filter is a straight forward thing to try?

 

[alldodge]

Pump the throttle and see if fuel squirts into the throat of the carb

If no squirt, take a small amount of gas table spoon fuel and pour down the carb

Try to crank it over

Remove the fuel filter and note if its completely full of gas. If it is dump it into a clear container to see if there is only clear clean gas. Let it set for a minute to see if you see any seperation

If it isn't full, need to check the pump and the antisiphon valve.

To check pump remove the fuel line at the carb and place it in a container to catch any gas. Make sure all plug wires are in place because we don't want any sparks. Crank the motor over and see if fuel starts pumping into the container