Crusader 270hp with qjet, 1986. Raw water cooled. Boat was transported long distance at end of last season when I purchased it. Everything seemed to run fine before transport at sea trial and I've been in touch with previous owner who didn't have this issue.
Engine fires right up with a tiny bump of the key when cold. Runs smooth and strong. Idles beautiful around 620rpm. Once it's warmed up it's very difficult to start. Takes a lot of cranking and pumping but I can get it started. Once started it runs well.
I swapped carbs between engines and no difference. Swapped coils and dist caps - no difference.
Weird observation - after cranking there's a audible "click, click" coming from the engine when the ignition is off. It sounds like it's coming from inside the intake manifold. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the area around the starter. This is not your typical thermal expansion/contraction sound, it sounds like relays going off. The other engine doesn't do it. I know temp gauges can be unreliable but there are 2 per engine and they all read on the cooler side, so I don't think the engine is getting too hot.
Someone suggested the starter could be worn out and not functioning properly when it's warm. The starter also squeals slightly when trying to restart the engine with a warm block, but it still sounds like it's cranking the engine fine.
Any ideas what else to check?
Engine fires right up with a tiny bump of the key when cold. Runs smooth and strong. Idles beautiful around 620rpm. Once it's warmed up it's very difficult to start. Takes a lot of cranking and pumping but I can get it started. Once started it runs well.
I swapped carbs between engines and no difference. Swapped coils and dist caps - no difference.
Weird observation - after cranking there's a audible "click, click" coming from the engine when the ignition is off. It sounds like it's coming from inside the intake manifold. It doesn't sound like it's coming from the area around the starter. This is not your typical thermal expansion/contraction sound, it sounds like relays going off. The other engine doesn't do it. I know temp gauges can be unreliable but there are 2 per engine and they all read on the cooler side, so I don't think the engine is getting too hot.
Someone suggested the starter could be worn out and not functioning properly when it's warm. The starter also squeals slightly when trying to restart the engine with a warm block, but it still sounds like it's cranking the engine fine.
Any ideas what else to check?