Tidal Sails

My 2003 Donzi 18 Classic was imported to Norway by me in 2005. Last year I got problems with moist and white timer. There was a "service bulletin" on this, which I never received before the hesitation and sputtering began. After replacing the whole timer assembly, with new plugs, cords and all, the engine now runs fine, but with an uneven idle. Had some problems last year with shifting as well (Alpha), but that was just due to adjustments, I think... Any ideas? Best regards, Are

Dave_N

I will assume when you say "timer" you mean the distributor. My first guess would be the distributor was not installed correctly. Are you sure that the reference marks were aligned when the distributor was installed? Incorrect installation will result in altered cam sensor timing and incorrect rotor phasing.

Tidal Sails

Hello Dave, I see you are all over the place:-) Of course, I did mean the distributor, just could not find the right word. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Will check alignment, but would´nt that result in uneven rpm all over the regime? Or at least stuttering also at higher RPM? Since the rpm goes up and down only in idle? Maby it has something to do with the shift microswitch? But when I opened that, the rpm fell lower, still varying in RPM then the engine stopped after about 5 seconds. Are

Dave_N

It's hard to say what kind of symptoms you would get. Computer controlled engines will try to compensate for a problem, and this can result in an unstable idle or "hunting" as it is called.

Also, if you didn't have this issue before the distributor was replaced, and now you do, it stands to reason that the distributor or installation may be the problem.

osur866

Sounds like a dist. cap problem seems a read something on this a while back about certain 5.0/5.7/6.2 small blocks getting moisture in the caps easy to pop the cap and look for signs of moisture or corrosion. Steve

Tidal Sails

Will check distributor for moisture and position. Are

(Ps. Please have a look at my webpage tidalsails.com if you like subsea sailing ;-)

Tidal Sails

Then I have checked the distributor for moisture and position. No moisture, and the position seem to be impossible to alter due to no adjustment option. But as I reassembled the rotor and cap, I exerted twisting pressure counter clockwise on both when fastening the screws.
Can not have been more than half a degree that was possible.., but the problem seem to be solved! The idle is now stable, but at 800 rpm and not 600 rpm, which it is supposed to be. I can not notice any drop when shifting gears either. Possible something wrong with the interrupter?
Grateful for your contributions. Thank you a lot! Not easy to find a mechanic where I am located in Norway, in a remote sidearm of the Hardanger Fjord. Are