frank2644
Member
C'mon guys, pulling the heads might be the next step from a "technical" viewpoint, but respectfully you can't possibly appreciate the practical, financial and circumstantial aspects of my situation. IOW, I think I'm the person who knows what's best for me. So, for now I'm selling the boat as-is, with an open admission of the engine problems. But in the meantime I'm still troubleshooting.
While I know at a minimum it needs a valve job, I'm not 100% convinced that the banging noise is due to another severe mechanical problem. Because it's extremely hard to start, and will not continue to run at idle, I think there may be a fault in the ignition system and that may also cause the banging. Yes, it's a long-shot but that's my current focus.
This weekend, I checked the timing while cranking and it seems in the ballpark. However, I now realize that I have a Thunderbolt V ignition system, not a Thunderbolt IV as I thought. So I have to recheck that timing because the Tbolt V needs to be in base mode to check timing (ground purple/white wire).
The Tbolt V system has more smart stuff, i.e, knock control module, and a knock sensor, and does adjust timing automatically. If I can't find any problems in the usual places, (cracked, cap, etc.), I need to verify that those modules are not the problem. Since buying new modules is likely an expensive proposition, I'll have to figure another way to prove they are not the problem. I have some ideas that I can share when, and if, I go there.
Thanks for the input, it is very much appreciated,
Frank
While I know at a minimum it needs a valve job, I'm not 100% convinced that the banging noise is due to another severe mechanical problem. Because it's extremely hard to start, and will not continue to run at idle, I think there may be a fault in the ignition system and that may also cause the banging. Yes, it's a long-shot but that's my current focus.
This weekend, I checked the timing while cranking and it seems in the ballpark. However, I now realize that I have a Thunderbolt V ignition system, not a Thunderbolt IV as I thought. So I have to recheck that timing because the Tbolt V needs to be in base mode to check timing (ground purple/white wire).
The Tbolt V system has more smart stuff, i.e, knock control module, and a knock sensor, and does adjust timing automatically. If I can't find any problems in the usual places, (cracked, cap, etc.), I need to verify that those modules are not the problem. Since buying new modules is likely an expensive proposition, I'll have to figure another way to prove they are not the problem. I have some ideas that I can share when, and if, I go there.
Thanks for the input, it is very much appreciated,
Frank
