Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

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Beaubm01

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Mar 25, 2012
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Re: Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

Cooper C....Hows it going? This past weekend I was assessing when my problem started. For years I had my fuel line from my portable tank running from the tank into the transom cavity on my pontoon. The pontoon transom cavity has water in it so my gasoline line and squeeze bulb were constantly in the water. For some reason, after many years of no problems with this scenario I decided this was a bad thing and decided to tie the fuel line up and out of the water. This resulted in the fuel line and bulb being higher than the fuel line connections to motor and the gas tank. While it kept it dry, it also exposed this to both the heat of the sun and the motor heat since my OB is under my back lounging area. This past weekend, I decided to go back to the old way and lowered the line and bulb back into the transom cavity. I held the bulb pointing arrow up and primed the bulb tight. It started up and I ran for about 45 minutes at between 3000 and 5000 RPM. On the way back to the dock, I idled in at 1500 RPM for the last few hundred yards and then let the engine idle at the dock for about 5 minutes. I came back about 45 minutes and it started right up without a problem.

Now, I have a successful "N" of one in my testing. I can't get back to my boat for a couple of weeks, but if I can do this 2 more times, i'll have an official trend and perhaps have solved the problem. Although I'm not sure it was the gas line position, the priming sequence, or the cool down that helped. I had replaced the line and bulb earlier this year so I don't think it's faulty. We'll see
 

cooper-c

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May 24, 2011
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Re: Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

Replacing both low and high pressure fuel pumps seems to have solved the problem. The boat has run great the past two weekends. The pumps only cost a little over $300 - one from go2marine and the high pressure pump from iboats.com. Vapor lock may have been an early symptom of weak pumps. Tried only replacing low pressure pump, but needed to replace both.
 
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Beaubm01

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Mar 25, 2012
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Re: Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

Congratulations. Appreciated this thread a lot. I may just swap mine out for piece of mind.
 

Dadstir

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Re: Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

I have similar issues with my 1996 5.0fi. Engine: 5.0FAPNCS Outdrive: SXCOBRA 3868388
First lake trip this summer boat ran great first part of the day then had small delays in restarting. Next day, same thing, except half way through the day it took about 15 minutes to get it started. I had the alternator rebuilt and went out again, same thing, except it would not start again, had to be towed in. It has spark when it's cold and no spark once its at running temperature (tested with a spark tester). Had the battery tested, its good. Before I gave up I replaced all plugs, wires, coil and stator. Fuel pumps run when key is on. Couple of strange things worth mentioning: When I would put a battery charger on, the boat never fails to start at anytime. Once or twice when it was warm and not starting I moved the trim down and it fired. Short?? I've had issues with worn wiring at the shifter and a stiff throttle , but I don't know if this would effect anything. I ran out of time and patience so I took it to a marine mechanic. It's been at the mechanic for 3 1/2 weeks, but it seems he has taken us in circles and we are no closer now than before. He couldn't duplicate the problem, said it ran like a ban-chi in the tank, then he installed a new shifter cable. He sarted trouble shooting the starting problem and said the syphine valve at the gas tank was bad, replaced that. After that, he said our trim motor and (module with the reset button??) on it was bad (I can only find relays and circuit breakers on my schematics). Then on Friday, he said he finally duplicated the first problem. He told me I had a bad alternator reading and needed a new alternator. I picked up the alternator and had it re-tested at the place that rebuilt it and it tested good. I'm wondering if the reading on the trim motor and "module" with the reset button are incorrect because of a power or short issue not being addressed. Now, I don't know if I need a new mechanic or keep trying myself. Any suggestions?? Thanks.
 

insttech1

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Jun 26, 2011
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Re: Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

Dadstir,
You should start a new thread....you'll get more responses.
 

Dadstir

Recruit
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Aug 17, 2013
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Re: Runs Great. Then Won't Start. Next Morning Starts Right Up.

Thanks, I will do that.
 
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