Won't restart after turning off when cold

[farmerjd]

2006 24VE, Marine Power. Starts fine first time for the day. Restarts fine after it is warmed up. Won't restart at all if turned off while still cold. Starter fluid did not help. Just cranks and cranks until the next day when it starts right up. Any ideas?

[farmerjd]

... and I did find my air filter was pretty clogged up but cleaning it did not help

[ericinmich]

Vapor lock. Be sure to cool engine down after running on plane (or surfing). Idle engine and be sure blower is on. See if that helps.

[farmerjd]

If it is vapor lock then does that mean the root cause is a weak fuel pump?
I thought vapor lock was when a warmed up engine would not start. My problem is the opposite.

[boatwakes]

try with starting fluid and opening the throttle slightly. If it doesn't even hiccup, then there's no spark. Which marine power motor its its?

[farmerjd]

Did the starting fluid with throttle open. Checked and there is spark. Why would there only be a problem when restarting cold?

[ericinmich]

My input on vapor lock was wrong, I misread your post.... sorry.

If it starts, then you shut it off a minute and it won't restart it's likely a fuel issue, either too much or too little. I still don't have the exact scenario in mind of what is happening.

Does your coolant gauge read correctly all the time (ie ambient temp on first start then gradually warming up to 150-180)?

[farmerjd]

Yes the temperature gauge reads as you describe.
If it were too little fuel the started fluid should have worked.
Also tried starting with throttle up and eventually could smell fuel (flooding).

[boatwakes]

Start by changing the spark plugs. Check the condition of those being pulled but I'll bet there's some carbon build up.

[farmerjd]

I was also having trouble keeping my battery charged. I checked the connections at the battery and they were dirty. Cleaned them up, we'll see how it goes. Maybe the cranking prevented a strong spark?