Port engine wouldnt start after fueling

[EricGCox]

I headed to the fuel dock to top off before heading out ( 100 gallons ). Boat ran fine out of slip to the fuel dock, but after fueling, the port engine failed to start; starboard engine ran fine and took me back to slip with no problems.

It has to be fuel related, but hard to believe that it would blind the fuel filter that instantly and this boat only has around +/-10 hours on it. And if it was bad fuel, i would think the starboard engine would have at least hicupped.

I didnt have time to take anything apart by the time we got back to slip, so but will be heading there after work tonight.

Any suggestions other than to check fuel water seperator and fuel filter?

Thanks
Eric

 

[Dawn Burnett]

Would love to see ideas on this. I have a older 330 that we just replaced fuel filters and fuel pump - worked great last weekend BUT then this Saturday - NADA - you could tell it was not getting fuel. And we had fresh gas also. Ideas anyone? thanks!

 

[Caveman22]

Would love to see ideas on this. I have a older 330 that we just replaced fuel filters and fuel pump - worked great last weekend BUT then this Saturday - NADA - you could tell it was not getting fuel. And we had fresh gas also. Ideas anyone? thanks!

Do you have spark?

 

[Dawn Burnett]

Do you have spark?

Not sure - ugh- It would crank but you could tell it didn't "fire"

 

[Highliner]

I headed to the fuel dock to top off before heading out ( 100 gallons ). Boat ran fine out of slip to the fuel dock, but after fueling, the port engine failed to start; starboard engine ran fine and took me back to slip with no problems.

It has to be fuel related, but hard to believe that it would blind the fuel filter that instantly and this boat only has around +/-10 hours on it. And if it was bad fuel, i would think the starboard engine would have at least hicupped.

I didnt have time to take anything apart by the time we got back to slip, so but will be heading there after work tonight.

Any suggestions other than to check fuel water seperator and fuel filter?

Thanks
Eric

Be careful not to get tunnel vision. I don't think it HAS to be fuel related. In fact if it was tied to the fuel you put in, I would have expected it to run a while, then quit on the way back to the dock, not fail to start immediately. I would start with the basics and not assume anything at this point.

Did it seem like it was trying to start or just straight cranking?

 

[skolbe]

Given it is a 2020 - I would call the dealer. Fuel would take a bit. You would stall on both engines a few minutes away from the dock.

 

[Dabble]

Was it in neutral when you tried to start?

I’ve made that mistake a few times...

 

[EricGCox]

Had people working on it since original post. Both motors started the next morning, but then only the port would restart ( opposite of the night before ), Even had Mercury on call while computers were hooked up and transmitting engine data. Every thing is running good now. The only thing we found was that the plugs were fouled; pretty weird on a new fuel injected motor. The fouled plugs led everybody to think that I went crazy with the joy stick, or what they called "tapping the stick", while docking at the fuel dock and flooded both motors.
it seems possible because I did make some quick adjustments while docking. But not sure how you explain both starting the next morning, but only one restarting.
This is my first boat equipped with joystick, and I didn't know you couldn't make quick adjustments. Apparently everybody knows this but me.
It seems a little convenient for the manufacturer to blame me for the motors not working, but maybe they are right. I guess I will find out if it does or doesn't happen again.

 

[Dawn Burnett]

Had people working on it since original post. Both motors started the next morning, but then only the port would restart ( opposite of the night before ), Even had Mercury on call while computers were hooked up and transmitting engine data. Every thing is running good now. The only thing we found was that the plugs were fouled; pretty weird on a new fuel injected motor. The fouled plugs led everybody to think that I went crazy with the joy stick, or what they called "tapping the stick", while docking at the fuel dock and flooded both motors.
it seems possible because I did make some quick adjustments while docking. But not sure how you explain both starting the next morning, but only one restarting.
This is my first boat equipped with joystick, and I didn't know you couldn't make quick adjustments. Apparently everybody knows this but me.
It seems a little convenient for the manufacturer to blame me for the motors not working, but maybe they are right. I guess I will find out if it does or doesn't happen again.

Please keep us posted! thanks for the update!

 

[EricGCox]

Be careful not to get tunnel vision. I don't think it HAS to be fuel related. In fact if it was tied to the fuel you put in, I would have expected it to run a while, then quit on the way back to the dock, not fail to start immediately. I would start with the basics and not assume anything at this point.

Did it seem like it was trying to start or just straight cranking?

It was trying to start. Which goes along with the flooded motor theory.

I should mention they told me to clear a flooded mercury motor, fully engage throttle- all the way- and crank the motor. The fully engaged throttle puts it into a clear flooded motor mode. Crank it 2 or 3 times and it should start when placed back into neutral.

Again, glad they told me this, because I never would have thought that the way to clear a flooded motor was to give it full throttle and crank it.....

 

[Dawn Burnett]

Do you have spark?

We discovered the impeller housing was loose (vibration?) which made the fuel pump loose which caused the belt to slip = no fuel. Tightened things up and voila - back in business. (or so I hope!). I am learning engine terminology so bear with me - thanks !!!!

 

[EricGCox]

After putting another 100 gallons thru her, I think it really was flooding due to over working the control stick.
Took her out and had lunch up the coast; had to dock in a very tight spot. But I was much smoother with the stick and noticed a huge difference in engine response. I pulled a plug while my family ordered lunch, and it looked brand new.
Actually all the plugs were brand new; Big thank you to Sun Country Marine Group. They were awesome handling this as quick as they did.

 

[capecodcruiser]

Given it is a 2020 - I would call the dealer. Fuel would take a bit. You would stall on both engines a few minutes away from the dock.

Usually 2 separate fuel tanks, so don't assume.

 

[capecodcruiser]

It was trying to start. Which goes along with the flooded motor theory.

I should mention they told me to clear a flooded mercury motor, fully engage throttle- all the way- and crank the motor. The fully engaged throttle puts it into a clear flooded motor mode. Crank it 2 or 3 times and it should start when placed back into neutral.

Again, glad they told me this, because I never would have thought that the way to clear a flooded motor was to give it full throttle and crank it.....

For future reference, this is an old trick. An engine, Model T or current, needs a combination of fuel and air to run. If you get too much fuel due to many situations, you have to compensate with more air to get the ratio back in line. By opening up the throttle(plate) you are getting more air in and rectifying the imbalance/off ratio. Just FYI....