2013 E-Tec 250 (E250DPXABA/S# 5396595) Hard Start

[111torrance111]

We have a 250 E-Tec that starts and immediately dies, it take about 20 to 25 times of this before the motor catches and stays running. Once running it runs great and will restart within 1 or 2 tries.

Just had it in the shop to have the shift switch changed, also changed plugs and the # 1 coil. Called the dealer back and they said it might be the injectors, that's a very costly process just to be guessing.

We already have a new fuel separator/Fuel pick up pump/Plugs..

What else can we check?

Thanks/Jerry

 

[racerone]

Well ---the 6 injectors do not all fail at the same time.----Best to find another shop.----May not be easy to find.----You have looked at fuel filters.-----Charged and tested your battery ?-----Do not crank and crank on this starter as it is easily damaged.

 

[Crosbyman]

If it runs great and starts great injectors likely ok. compression likely ok also so you are missing fuel as the 3rdelement.

do you recall when all this issue started? how are the filters ...new ..old... crudded . tank venting ok ?

did you inspect the return filter #7 on the VST ...
(small conical filter in the return nipple on the vst) nipples very easy to snap ..work carefully
check top venting float inside the vst

check for any light on th EMM (should all be off when running)

 

[Crosbyman]

btw check out the ETEC board ...good search utility and lots of help available to
https://www.etecownersgroup.com/?forum=136486

 

[Crosbyman]

you should get the serv manual & EV diagnostic software to see if any faults are logged.

your dealer should have given you a fault log dump (history and current faults) they can just email it to you in PDF format since the EV software keeps a log in their shop system (windows PC).

https://www.etecownersgroup.com/search?keywords=250+hard+to+start+&searchin=message&member=&do=findposts&id=&replies=atleast&numreplies=0&daterange=0&custdatefrom=&custdateto=&sort=&order=desc&radio_showas=threads&btnSearch=Search&action=doSearch

 

[Faztbullet]

Sound like the CPS is not staying synced to flywheel or fuel pressure dropping

 

[Crosbyman]

We have a 250 E-Tec that starts and immediately dies, it take about 20 to 25 times of this before the motor catches and stays running. Once running it runs great and will restart within 1 or 2 tries.

Just had it in the shop to have the shift switch changed, also changed plugs and the # 1 coil. Called the dealer back and they said it might be the injectors, that's a very costly process just to be guessing.

We already have a new fuel separator/Fuel pick up pump/Plugs..

What else can we check?

Thanks/Jerry

did you investigate all the possibilities in the SEARCH utility....see link

one test is to pull a a spark plug or two insert a strip of paper in the cyl and start (try to) and see if the strip was wetted with a fuel spray from the injector (s) .

If dry...work backwards for possibilities ....

Injectors need a cleaning (no always necessary to replace $$$$)

DIY injector cleaning?

Hi there, My E90 is running rough at lower rpm's, high rpm's running fine, so I intend to pull the injectors for cleaning. Unfortunately there are no companies known to me in Europe that do cleaning like fuelinjectorman, so I intend to do the cleaning myself. Any tips on how I get the best...

www.etecownersgroup.com

 

[111torrance111]

If it runs great and starts great injectors likely ok. compression likely ok also so you are missing fuel as the 3rdelement.

do you recall when all this issue started? how are the filters ...new ..old... crudded . tank venting ok ?

did you inspect the return filter #7 on the VST ...
(small conical filter in the return nipple on the vst) nipples very easy to snap ..work carefully
check top venting float inside the vst

check for any light on th EMM (should all be off when running)
View attachment 356009

Update:

When we had the motor in the shop they replaced the #7 filter, however after reading your reply I wanted to check it. It was clogged with residue that I can only assume came from the gas tank on the boat.
We changed the filter and switched to a new external tank, it didn't change how the motor starts. Could this residue have gotten passed this filter and into another somewhere on the engine?

We did get the motor to start yesterday and let it on the new tank, we're going to try again today and see if there is a difference.

When it was in the shop they also removed the water/fuel separator from below deck and installed a new unit above deck, fuel (from original tank) looked good, so not sure where the residue is coming from.

Jerry

 

[Crosbyman]

that filter is on the return fuel supply FROM the injectors.... if your injectors are not clogged then the return hose must be crumbling !! test it for mushy feeling !!

Mecanic should have known because if this a replacement filter (???) and it ended up clogged so fast then the initial one must have been full of junk also !

any filt from the tank if it passed the water separator....should have been stopped in the primary (side) filter

anything affecting fuel flow isn't going to help with starting/running !

just mho mind you I am not a mechanic just a boater yoou should chime in on the ETEC user board

E-TEC 3.3 liter V-6 - Barnacle Bill's Marine Supply

Post your 200HO thru 250 questions here

www.etecownersgroup.com

BTW when you had it in shop did the shop give you a dump of the history log to flag any active faults or a list of past faults (logged) ??? if not you should ask for one

 

[111torrance111]

Update # 2:
This motor in question was purchased used from a boat shop in San Diego, he now thinks it's the injectors and asked that we drive it down from LA so he can remove/clean/replace the injectors. He also thinks this was the original problem with the boat dying when moving between gears and NOT THE SHIFT SWITCH at $150 (Parts/Labor)

The return fuel line from the injectors to filter #7 looked to be ok, should have the motor back next week (Week of April 4th) and we'll try it again. I will post the results once tested.

The boat shop seems to stand behind his used motors base on yelp help, so we're hopeful that this solves the problem.

Jerry

 

[Crosbyman]

Great ! it is now a wait and see... my 75ETEC is 17 years old with no injector issues yet but I guess anything can happen. MINd you I have less than 600 hrs on mine

I would insist on getting a EMM log dump because "thinking" the injectors are the cause is just thinking and guessing. Your engine runs great and starts great ..after it does it does kick in ! Could be a faulty HP pump having a hard time building sufficient pressure to feed the injectors . A pressure test during hard start ups could confirm that.

HP pressure pumps apparently enjoy a bit of extra oil in the fuel (search Oly's brew on the ETEC board) Early ETECs had one oil line dedicated to injecting xd-100 oil in the fuel ... later model stopped doing that.

The log dump could have ... pointed out to the fundamental issue. A simple peak at the EMM LED,s could have helped also.

Keep us posted

 

[Crosbyman]

here is some good reading.... sometimes simple things mess up..... sparkplugs, bad 55v blue condenser, vst float not working etc...

Hard Starting 250HP

I have an '05 250HP model # E250DPXSOC Ser # 05094533. At the beggining of the day, when i go to start her up, it usually takes 5 or 6 times of starting to get the motor to stay running. It will fire right up but then die right out. It seems that once it hits the 100 deg F mark, thats when it...

www.etecownersgroup.com

 

[111torrance111]

Final Update...

After having all 6 injectors inspected/cleaned and replace the starting issues have been resolved.
Not all 6 were bad, but none of them passed the inspection completely. Had all 6 cleaned and reinstalled. With injectors failing independently the systems seems to vary from motor/motor.

Anyway, wanted to share the end of our troubles and hope this will help somebody else identify their problems sooner.

Jerry