Everything was fine when I winterized…

[Quickstep192]

I just set out to take the first boat ride of the season and things went poorly.

At first, the motor fired right up, but died when I put it into gear.

Things got worse as I made additional attempts to start the motor. It cranks and tries to fire, but won’t stay running.


Ant ideas where to start looking?

[Quik Fix]

Fuel filters. Do you have a flow scan?

[Ship]

Went to bed running wakes up and only runs long enough for the crud to clog stuff. I'm betting E10 is to blame. Look at filters first like Jerry said. Then work your way back to the engine.

[Quickstep192]

I just drained some gas from the Racor and the gas looked OK. No signs of water or separation. I used only ethanol free gas last year.

I’ll try changing the filter next.

I was wondering if it’s the injectors.

[Quickstep192]

Do y’all think there’s any benefit to adding some Seafoam to the gas when I re-fill the filters?

[Quickstep192]

I put fresh non-ethanol gas in the starboard tank, replaced the Racor Pre-Filter and the FCC filter. By the way, the gas that came out of the filters looked good. No water, no indication of separation (it was non-ethanol gas)
I filled each filter with gas and added some Seafoam to the FCC canister.

I cranked it for long enough for fuel to get sucked through the filters.

No start.

Any ideas for next steps?

[Ship]

Air.... Fuel.... Compression/ fire . The basics of combustion engine. Which isn't happening? Fire meaning spark.

[radioman]

TBI or MPI engine?
Can you hear the FCC pump pressure up when you turn the key to on position?

[Quickstep192]

TBI or MPI engine?
Can you hear the FCC pump pressure up when you turn the key to on position?

Mine is Throttle Body Injected. And yes, I hear the FCC pump pressure up. It does seem to stop suddenly at the end, but I suppose with no place for the fuel to go with the engine off, that’s normal.

Ironically, I was going to replace the injectors last year, it I couldn’t find a place to buy them. Replacing them seems like a fairly easy job of I could find them.

By the way, I’m pretty sure I’ve got spark because it sputters like it’s trying to start. Sometimes when I stop cranking, I get a small poof sound, but I can’t tell if it’s coming from the throttle body or the exhaust.

[Quik Fix]

If you have fuel, next is check spark.

[crhodes]

Any way you can put a fuel pressure gauge on the fuel line near the injector. If so monitor pressure during the start process specifically, switch on, crank, run, and when it dies. If pressure is steady suspect injector or fire. If it drops then fuel flow issue such as filter or fuel pump (including loss of power to fuel pump).

PS: fire = spark in my world.

[Lyle]

I had an Key switch that failed to provide 12V out to the ignition while it did work the starter normally. Also had the oil pressure bypass fail. The engine would try to start when you released the key from start position.

[Quickstep192]

Just an update…

Today, when I attempted to start the engine, I tried moving the throttle lever back and forth between closed and about 1/3 open while cranking the engine. It runs poorly for a short time while doing this. Just as it’s conking out there’s a small backfire. I also smell a whiff of gas when it quits.

It seems that I have fuel and fire, but clearly not the right amount of one or the other.

I want to think the injectors are clogged, but in case it’s not already clear, I’m not an expert; hell, I’m barely an amateur

[radioman]

Just throwing this out for consideration...
Idle Air Controller may be causing an issue, there have been several posts on here and the other board about dirty/clogged/inoperative IAC solenoids causing starting & running issues.

[Quickstep192]

Can anyone recommend a source for parts?

The bolts holding in the Idle Air Controller on my boat are pretty rusty. It sure looks like getting them out without some tears isn’t terribly likely.

I’d consider replacing the entire Throttle Body if I knew where to buy one.

Any suggestions?