4.3 GXI - harder starting when warmed ?????

al1026

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2007
Messages
101
2003 4.3 GXI engines
When cold fires up first turn of key, idles fine ,
From my marina too ocean is 2 miles of no wake,.
Once out of no wake I open up 20 minutes until I reach fishing grounds.
Close engines & drift
if I want too start , always thinking too myself hope they start ?? Both engines difficult starting ?
fuel injection, recent tune up both engines , new plugs, rails cleaned . Done two months ago.
Fuel pumps new, filters new
Twin engines both running on one tank
Each engine has new Volvo penta fuel cells.
Volvo pumps keep fuel in them. fuel flowing back into tank both engines NOT POSSIBLE ??
Starboard engine has power steering pump and on one occasion I pumped shifter and flooded .
Had too come in on one engine. After an hour was able too start starboard engine
When starting I put throttle into N , giving me ability too control engine revs . At times it feels its about too start and having the ability too rev helps. I try not too pump but find it helps sometimes. Other times it starts idles a moment stalls ??
Port engine more challenging starting when hot then starboard.
Asking shop they said a lot of people are complaining about same issue ??? He blamed it on local fuel ??? He said run blower longer period time too cool ?? Makes no sense . Starts easily when cold, harder starting when hot ????
ANY LIGHT BULBS GOING OFF ?
 

BRICH1260

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 6, 2011
Messages
1,381
Vapor lock? Perhaps engine compartment heat vaporizing fuel in the lines. Might try running your blowers a little longer to bring in cooler air.
 

poconojoe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,966
Choke out of adjustment? Maybe choke is still closed or partially close even when engine is hot.
 

Senior B

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
253
this does sound like vapor lock. try higher octane fuel and run your blower longer before starting to see if the air circulation helps. How hot is your exhaust system?
 

dennis461

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 11, 2011
Messages
516
Safety first.
Stop going to the ocean if you are afraid your boat will not start.

Put some fuel injector cleaner in there right away, could be a leaky injector on each engine. When the engine stops, they drip gas into the combustion chamber and flood.

Injectors right, not throttle body injection?
 

89retta

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
780
I have an 04 Caravelle with the 4.3 GXI also. Same problem but not as bad as you. After its been running takes 2 or 4 times for it to start. But it always starts
 

bajaunderground

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
1,401
Run through the fuel you have and use only higher octane...I was told by a reputable boat mechanic that you should only use premium as the lower octane can boil at 90*F...which he believes is what causes the hard starting. I have the problem when I run 85 octane, but not 91?! When it's hard to start, put in neutral and open throttle all the way...start and as soon as you have it started pull back to almost idle...you don't want to run it up and you don't want it to stall.
 

al1026

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2007
Messages
101
Thanks guys
Boat is 30 ft ,
9.6 beam
I have a trailer , not crazy about towing, Only tow when I need repairs .
Fuel at marina verses a good marine grade at WAWA is a dollar a gallon difference , worth the effort but pulling out of water myself is a lot of boat add in my age almost 70. not fun. Boat weight empty 8000 lbs , .
I tow with a older Ford F 350 . Does the job. No 4/4 , steep ramp, tuff on engine & tranny. Once over the hump tows great
I am retired and use boat few days a week. . If I had too launch I would use boat lot less.
Good point octane, never considered . Will check. There is another marina next door, will see their octane.
My shop said the same turn fans on earlier. They said a lot of boaters complaining , starting issues
Since they did all the work , they ruled out rails, vapor lock , but anything is possible . I just keep fueling up at my marina.
I am in Cape Canaveral and short run I am in Ocean.
They always start but difficult . Re : safety . 1 800- SEA TOW , best investment , they come if I need help
 

89retta

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 18, 2010
Messages
780
Since it harder for you to get a higher octane fuel. Try adding an octane additive to your fuel. Easier and cheaper. And for those of you that will say they don't work. Trust me they do. We use it in our sleds up in the mountains.
 
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