Re: 7.4 MPI with "odd" starting behavior
My 2000 7.4 MPI has had an odd behavior in the 5 years I've owned it. The starter will spin the engine over a bit, the engine will stop dead for a very brief period (I can see the engine stop if the engine hatch is open), then continute to turn and start right up. It acts like it has too much ignition advance. It does not sound like it has broken teeth on the flywheel and it's not hyro-locked or anything like that. It's always done this and always starts and runs fine. Other than that, it has no other symptoms of excessive igntion advance. Is this normal?
No this does not sound normal.
For starters you will want to,
(1) Check engine timing.
(2) Check all battery cables at both ends to see if they are clean and tight, No paint on engine side, ect.
(3) Pull all spark plugs, Crank engine over, Look for water spray while cranking, Also see if it stops cranking while plugs are out.
(4) Pull fuel filter looking for water, Dirt, ect.
(5) Look between the exhaust manifolds and exhaust risers gasket area for water leaks, If leaking install new gaskets.
(6) Do a engine compression test.
(7)Your batteries minimum cold cranking amps needs to be 750 or 950 marine cranking amps for all EFI engines.
(8) You may need to do a voltage drop test.
I believe "just jason" has a good write up about doing a voltage drop test here on the boards.
(9) Good luck with it.
