2000 340 Sundancer Starboard Engine not starting

[Phil Bransom]

Hi all...

I have a 2000 340 Sundancer. I purchased it about 10 months ago, has a little over 1000 hours on 7.4 engines.

We live on a floating home on the Columbia River in Oregon so we keep it parked out front. We've had a few days of freezing but I have a
bilge heater and keep a light bulb when below 32degrees. The water temp is around 45 during January.

I had to move it last week and when I did, the Starboard engine cranked over but never started. The Port engine started after about 4 tries. My only concern
to a degree is that both had plenty of voltage in the batteries, but the Starboard engine cranked over a little slower. Maybe 30% slower. It has always been like
the Port engine and starts right up in the summer but takes about 4 tries during the winter.

Any ideas what this could mean? I tried the Emergency switch just to see if it was a battery issue but did not make a difference. It's not frozen up.

Thanks for your help.

 

[hughespat57]

Start the port up
Give it a few minutes to charge that battery
Then try the jumper switch while cranking the starboard
In the cold he battery may be weaker

 

[techmitch]

Isn't the boat normally plugged into dockside power with the charger on?

 

[hughespat57]

Isn't the boat normally plugged into dockside power with the charger on?

I should have been more clear
I’m thinking the battery is getting old and with the low temps losing capacity.
How old are the batteries?

 

[Phil Bransom]

Isn't the boat normally plugged into dockside power with the charger on?

It is. It is not a charge issue. It has plenty of voltage to battery, just slow turning over like it's not getting fuel.

 

[Phil Bransom]

Start the port up
Give it a few minutes to charge that battery
Then try the jumper switch while cranking the starboard
In the cold he battery may be weake

I don't think it's a battery issue. It cranks but just slightly slower than Port engine. Battery shows full charges.

 

[Phil Bransom]

I don't think it's a battery issue. It cranks but just slightly slower than Port engine. Battery shows full charges.

If it cranks but not at full crank, does that affect the gas flow?

 

[techmitch]

It is. It is not a charge issue. It has plenty of voltage to battery, just slow turning over like it's not getting fuel.

I don't think it's a battery issue. It cranks but just slightly slower than Port engine. Battery shows full charges.

If it cranks but not at full crank, does that affect the gas flow?

Not sure what you have carb. or EFI/mechanical or electric fuel pumps, but cranking speed is a important diagnostic starting point.
Proper load testing of the battery's and checking EVERY connection would my first step.

 

[boatrboy]

Not sure what you have carb. or EFI/mechanical or electric fuel pumps, but cranking speed is a important diagnostic starting point.
Proper load testing of the battery's and checking EVERY connection would my first step.

Mitch - his first pic shows an fwc mpi. And very clean at that.

Phil - I don’t believe gas flow has anything to do with slow cranking based on what you described so far. You should have an electric fuel pump which engine cranking speed won’t effect. I will assume at some point you held the throttle wide open while cranking to eliminate the IAC.

Follow Mitch‘s advice first….

 

[Phil Bransom]

Mitch - his first pic shows an fwc mpi. And very clean at that.

Phil - I don’t believe gas flow has anything to do with slow cranking based on what you described so far. You should have an electric fuel pump which engine cranking speed won’t effect. I will assume at some point you held the throttle wide open while cranking to eliminate the IAC.

Follow Mitch‘s advice first….

Thanks... I'll follow Mitch's advice first. Regarding holding the throttle wide open while cranking... Talk me through a little more about eliminating the IAC. Does that stand for the Idle Air Control?

 

[boatrboy]

Thanks... I'll follow Mitch's advice first. Regarding holding the throttle wide open while cranking... Talk me through a little more about eliminating the IAC. Does that stand for the Idle Air Control?

Correct - I mention this as my last boat had the same motor and every spring I had difficulties getting it started. Holding throttle open would allow it to start but not idle well as with throttle the IAC is basically bypassed. Mine would stumble then it was fine for the season. After it started I reduced the amount of throttle immediately to the point where it would run. Usually cleared up in seconds.
In your case the slow crank (if that is a fact), may be pointing to something else. That is why I deferred to Mitch’s suggestions.

The pic shows a very clean Engine and bilge- looks nice - good luck.

 

[BillK2632]

+1 that is a very nice/clean looking engine room. And although it makes for a tight engine room, the 7.4's in that boat make it a beast.
As far as the no start issue, try what others have said above. If that does not work, try spraying some starting fluid into the intake - not a lot, but enough to let it fire - if it does fire then stalls you have a fuel problem. If it doesn't fire then it's ignition.
Also, check the simple stuff - not sure exactly how the neutral / safety works on an inboard, but could that be it?