Starting Issues 2300V Limited with Black Scorpion 350 MPI

[hopps1945]

Well the battery is the wild card. It is 7 years old but tested on my load tester (my tester just gives me a good/weak/bad) it stays in the good (low end of the reading). I plan to replace it first since it is easier to acquire. Talking with Larry at FAE, he has recently ran into this and after dissecting the starter found issues with internal problems (corrosion/gunk and other problems.) Once replaced he said, no more issues.

I plan on replacing the battery first and seeing what that does. If it is still slow to start, I'll replace the starter.

[hopps1945]

So new battery in. I can tell a difference in cranking from the old to the new here in the driveway. Hopefully tomorrow I can get it out in the water and see how it does with the FAE on. Fingers crossed........

[hopps1945]

With the new battery, cranks a heck of a lot faster. Put the FAE back on. So today. Had to replace the bunks on the trailer so dropped the boat in the water and tied up to a friends dock. Came back about 1, 1.5 hours later, hoped in turned the key over, barely gets a crank and immediately fired up and died. After that, cranked, cranked and cranked some more. Ended up having to give it a bit of gas (push the throttle forward a bit) to get it to sputter to life. Ran around the lake and floated for about 30-40 minutes. Went to start it and wanted to just crank so gave it some gas and fired up. Drove to the other end of the lake, let it idle for about 3-5 mins, shut it down. We floated for about 1 hour. That time, before I started it, I gave it some gas and turned the key over and fired right up.

With the new battery, it cranks a whole lot faster. It cranks the same with or without the FAE on. To me, it seems to be starving for fuel. But why with the FAE on? The cool Fuel system sits right against the muffler on the left side. Could it be with the FAE on there isn't enough water exchange in the muffler so it is staying too warm? At this point I don't think changing the starter will make a difference. I'm so lost.

Thoughts, opinions???

[Chads972150]

once it fires up what RPM is it idling at if the idle is set to slow it will starve it of fuel i know this because when i first got my boat it fired over everytime and when i had it serviced they thought it idled to high so they lowered it mind you this is on a fake a lake well when i put it in the water after that it was almost impossible to start with out bumping the throttle up just a tad after pumping it a few times but i could pump it and not bump the throttle up and it would not start i never really thought anything of it because im use to this in my hot rods well it starts trying to die and i look down and low and behold im idling around 350 RPMs but when i barely bump the throttle it brings it up right around 650 close to where it should be i havent had a chance to put the boat in the water since then and bring the idle up to see if it will help any but hopefully next weekend i can get it in the water. keep in mind im dealing with a carburated motor not fuel injection but the same thing should apply in my mind but im not all to familur with fuel injection. but check that out and let me know what you get.

[hopps1945]

Well feeling hopeful today. Got new fuel pump this week and installed it tonight. Turn the key and it starts right up. Barely turn the key and it fires right up! Hopefully tomorrow will get it in the water to make sure it still starts the same. So in a nut shell, new plugs, new cap and rotor, new battery and new fuel pump to get to this point. Fingers crossed that it goes well in the water too!

[Ruleman]

Hi, I know this is an old thread, but I am having the same exact issue on the same exact boat with the surf exhaust...

I wonder if the issue is with my starter, as I have just replaced both batteries and the problem persists.

I have also gone through the fuel/water separator filter (I actually dreamed the full tank of gas, and filled it back up with new fuel - then replaced the filter two times after that). I am also having to do my impeller, as I'm under the impression my raw water pump bearing is failing.

Any feedback?


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[Ruleman]

Well, I guess I'll provide my own feedback.

I replaced the starting solenoid and cleaned up all connections to the starter (from solenoid and from battery both were somewhat dirty) and it seems like the issue doesn't repeat itself so often.

I have ordered a spare starter to have on hand in case I end up having to replace it, but so far no repeats of the "click-no starting" issue again


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[hopps1945]

Hey Ruleman, sorry forgot about this post. Sadly nothing has changed for me. It will start fine cold but after running a bit, letting it idle and even running the blower not stop, it will not start again without opening up the throttle a bit. Not sure if I have a fuel pressure issue or a bad injector. I just don't see how it could be a starter. With the new battery it cranked so much better. Wasn't able to get it in the shop before it had to go into storage this last winter.

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[Ruleman]

Hey Ruleman, sorry forgot about this post. Sadly nothing has changed for me. It will start fine cold but after running a bit, letting it idle and even running the blower not stop, it will not start again without opening up the throttle a bit. Not sure if I have a fuel pressure issue or a bad injector. I just don't see how it could be a starter. With the new battery it cranked so much better. Wasn't able to get it in the shop before it had to go into storage this last winter.

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Hey there! Thanks for the response.

After doing the replacement of the solenoid without much result, I decided to change the starter as well... Did so yesterday AM and since then I haven't had any more starting issues!!!

There has been no need to open the gas to get the boat started, either cold or hot. It fires right up no matter what circumstance or how long it has been running... Knock on wood, I think changing the starter solved the complete issue.

I'm going to keep you updated in case I run into any other issues. The starter was not expensive, and took less than 40 minutes to change. Maybe you want to give that a try?


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[hopps1945]

Well, I may do it. I started down that road last year but after replacing the battery and it cranked so much faster, I couldn't see how the starter would be the problem. I have nothing to lose (except for a few $$$) so I'll get one ordered.

[Ruleman]

Well, I may do it. I started down that road last year but after replacing the battery and it cranked so much faster, I couldn't see how the starter would be the problem. I have nothing to lose (except for a few $$$) so I'll get one ordered.

I got mine from amazon and was under $50 on prime. The starter I took out was the original to the boat according to the date stamped on it.

Good luck!


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[Ruleman]

Update: Took the boat out today to surf, and we got a really heavy and full of water, both inside and in the ballast compartment...

My starting issue appeared again. The next thing I'm going to do is to do a really good tuneup (plugs, wires, points, and clean injectors).


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[hopps1945]

Bummer. I did all the tune up last year. Buddy of mine thinks I might have an injector that is leaking down. I need to put a gauge on it and check the rail pressure. The problem is I have an added on cooling system and the tank and lines are in the way of hooking up to the rail. Been putting it off. Just need to pull the resivoir and pipe in an elbow off the fuel rail so I can hook a gauge up to it.

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[PaceWithGrace]

Hey guys,

Just thinking out loud here, but to flush the water out of the exhaust and FAE, you need some exhaust volume and pressure... Maybe you're not getting enough at idle, which is why cracking the throttle is needed.

Is raising the idle a bit an option?

S.