Volvo 4.3 GXi-C hard starting, smells flooded.

[beemerider]

Dear tech gurus, this newbie could use some help with a diagnosis. Last year I purchased a '92 Trophy with a 2003 Volvo GXi-C, engine serial # 4012086856. This engine runs fine, and until recently started up at the first touch of the key even when cold. Now for some reason when I try to start, it will crank and crank. I crank it less than ten seconds, stop, try again. Sometimes on the second attempt it will stutter and catch, and sometimes needs another attempt or two. At this point there is the distinct smell of fuel. Since it's a multi-port injected engine, could this be caused by too high fuel pressure? I attached my code scanner and it isn't showing any errors. Warm engine, usually the same thing.
There are no performance problems when running, from idle to WOT. I've read of problems with the Volvo fuel cells on these boats, and the cell was whining when I first began using it. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[alldodge]

It could be high fuel pressure but since your doing a lot of cranking and not starting I would lean toward an ignition issue first.
Does the tach show around 300 rpm when its being cranked?

Your motor should have the HVS distributer and it uses a different kind of cap. The cap is notorious at going bad and can look perfectly clean. It is know as the crap cap, and goes out without warning. Would suggest replacing it first.

 

[beemerider]

Thank you for the prompt reply, AllDodge. I'll pull the cap today and let you know the results. Great to have these resources available for a DIY'er, especially in the middle of boating season when it's hard to get things looked at by a shop or mechanic.

 

[beemerider]

No Title

AllDodge, boy did you nail it! When I dropped this on the counter at the local Volvo marine parts supply in Portland OR., one of the mechanics walked over and asked, "So which cylinder was still firing? Any of them?"
The 4.3 now starts immediately on key turn - can't thank you enough. I have company arriving this weekend expecting a ride on the Columbia river, and this puts me much more at ease about it.
When I bought this boat, I replaced all the fluids, filters, outdrive bellows, checked the cooling, went over all the wiring, sent an oil sample out for analysis, etc. etc. I'm a believer in the 'ounce of prevention', philosophy. But a used piece of equipment is always an unknown. Don't know how long it would've taken me to locate this problem without your advice, but a heck of a lot longer than the few hours spent this morning. As a retired general contractor, I contribute to sites where my expertise can sometimes help others. Thanks again to you and the many here who do the same.

 

[alldodge]

Glad to hear.
While this one clearly shows its not firing, many look real nice and still won't fire. Many of the boaters have a spare cap sitting on the boat incase it goes bad at the wrong time. In any case happy boating

 

[Pedrorala]

I'm having a similar issue of what has been described here, but my motor is a 4.3-Gxi-e. Could it be also a problem of the distributor ? Everything was running fine...cranked at first, but then I've replaced the Sparks as a regular maintenance procedure, kept working fine until One day that for coincidence or not after working for a couple of hours and back at the Marina I've run the motor with fresh water turning the water first than the motor and since then ir hás been hard to Start cranking for about 10 sec and smelling gasoline....

 

[GA_Boater]

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Please start a new thread. It's been over 2 years since this one has been active.

Closed.