Engine Starting Issue

[hwclark]

10/14/22 I have a 2014 I/O Stern Drive on my 1994 24’ Grady White. (350 Mercrusier Mag EFI , with less than 100 hours). On two occasions the engine has cut off while at idle and then would not start. Starter would turn over. Some 15 to 30 minutes later after being towed in, it cranked and ran fine.

Gas/fuel quality is not an issue. The fuel filter is new. The sleeve from the tank fill cap to the fuel tank is new. The boat itself has been restored to like new condition (new electrical as to boat, not sure as to motor) but to my knowledge the electrical, fuel pump if applicable and gas lines on the engine are original (2014 or 1994)?

Thinking it maybe some kind of sensor on the engine that when the engine is hot, the engine will shut down at idle then not start? I note that the engine has never shut down while up and running?

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

post your serial number so we can get specific

100 hours in 9 years is not a lot of use. that is 11 hours a year, or 1-2 uses per year

make sure you have fuel pressure. should be 43psi

if you are running hot, service the raw water pump

 

[hwclark]

10/14/22 Thanks for responding. Engine never ran hot to my recollection? It may have however in that I am “hard of hearing”? Engine sn 2A190935.
5.7 L BRAVO1 350 MAG MPI. ENGINE WAS SELDOW USED SINCE 2014.

Note rear 1” of engine did receive salt water in a storm. Fell off lift. New computer was installed 6 months ago as well as water pump as well as one fuel pressure sensor that was causing surging. The fuel pressure was a problem as I recollect? I have run the engine several hours since repair work was done with no problems until recently. My expectation is engine would crank and run well today. I am away from boat.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you have changed the raw-water impeller since 2014, correct

rubber bits go off calendar, and dont care if you use them or not.

you should also plug in Rinda and check to see if you have codes

 

[hwclark]

10/14/22 I do not have mechanical skills. Please "dumb down" your comments. My thinking is the engine is cooled by a closed circuit system, not raw water?

 

[Scott Danforth]

10/14/22 I do not have mechanical skills. Please "dumb down" your comments. My thinking is the engine is cooled by a closed circuit system, not raw water?

unless you have a heat exchanger, your motor is raw water cooled. the impeller is in the pump that is belt driven off the crank. water is picked up thru the drive, makes it thru the transom shield, to the power steering cooler, to the oil cooler, to the fuel cooler to the engine

same pump is there for a fresh water system (where a heat exchanger is used for the motor only (half system) or motor and exhaust (full system)

 

[alldodge]

Your serial number comes up as a motor with catalytic converters, EC version so it might be closed cool with a heat exchanger, a pic of the motor would verify.

For it to just shut down it might throw a code. The motor shows a PCM and may have Digital or standard cable controls. Being a 1994 my guess is it's standard cable

Any way to get the motor scanned for codes?

 

[hwclark]

10/14/22 Really not sure whattype of cooling system I have. When I flush the motor in the lift, I hook a water hose to the Quick Connect fitting on the motor.

 

[alldodge]

That in most cases is the fresh water flush

Do you have a 4 inch or so diameter tank across the front or rear of the motor? Here is closed system components

https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/31756/13967/230

 

[hwclark]

Your serial number comes up as a motor with catalytic converters, EC version so it might be closed cool with a heat exchanger, a pic of the motor would verify.

For it to just shut down it might throw a code. The motor shows a PCM and may have Digital or standard cable controls. Being a 1994 my guess is it's standard cable

Any way to get the motor scanned for codes?

10/14/22 Thanks, my thinking is standard cable controls. Only the engine was changed out I think not the stern drive. What is a PCM? Your suggestion is to get the motor Scanned for codes? Also, if and or when the problem occurs again, I will check the temperature gauge.

Thanks for your efforts!

 

[alldodge]

The PCM is the motors computer. Could you post a pic of your motor?

 

[QBhoy]

Alldodge…is that one of the last GM 350 or is that a newer in house built engine ? Presumably it’s one of the last GMs perhaps. Not too familiar with the later models really.

 

[alldodge]

Don't know, all I'm going on is the serial number. Don't have access to Merc data base

 

[QBhoy]

Don't know, all I'm going on is the serial number. Don't have access to Merc data base

No worries. Not up on newer things, like I say…but have it in mind there might not actually be a 5.7 made of the newer oem non GM engines. Think it’s just 4.5 and 6.2 of various power output through mapping Perhaps. Likely is a last of them GM 350 mpi. Not sure. If it was…would that age still suffer the cool fuel or vapour lock issue that’s reported by some and mythical to others ? I don’t know if anyone it’s happened to..but certainly it’s been reported often on here

 

[alldodge]

In short and old timer remarks
A 350 with standard crank is a 350
A 350 with a 400 crank and bored .030 over is a 383
A 350 with a 400 crank and virgin bore is a 377

A 4.3 with stroker crank and virgin bore is a 4.5

 

[QBhoy]

In short and old timer remarks
A 350 with standard crank is a 350
A 350 with a 400 crank and bored .030 over is a 383
A 350 with a 400 crank and virgin bore is a 377

A 4.3 with stroker crank and virgin bore is a 4.5

No doubt and I don’t think I knew about the 377.
But I was perhaps referring to the new in house made engine that replaced the older GM things that we all know. Totally different things compared to the GM. They may even have such wizardry as things like variable valve timing and other white man’s magic…for better or for worse…is yet to be seen. You’ll likely know all this anyway, I’m sure. But last I knew the 4.5 version came with power outputs to cover the area formerly filled by the 4.3, 5.0 and possibly even the 5.7. Think the options are 200hp and 250hp and something in between. The 6.2 they now make in a few outputs from 300-350hp or similar, covers the void left by the 5.7 (300hp), old 6.2 320hp mpi and maybe even the lowest rated of the old big blocks too.
Here is a pic of the newer 6.2, if I’m correct. This will be one of the in house non GM units I think.

 

[hwclark]

The PCM is the motors computer. Could you post a pic of your motor?

 

[alldodge]

Thanks
You have a EC motor(Cats), cable control, closed cool (heat exchanger)

Your drive lube monitor is below the low mark

Side note: being a 94 model boat I would have done anything to stay away from Cats

 

[hwclark]

Thanks
You have a EC motor(Cats), cable control, closed cool (heat exchanger)

Your drive lube monitor is below the low mark

Side note: being a 94 model boat I would have done anything to stay away from Cats

The motor is a 2014 Mercrusier. What is a EC motor (Cats)?

 

[hwclark]

What do you mean the “drive lube motor is below the low mark”?