Volvo Penta 5.0 GI PEFS engine intermittently not starting (but still cranking)

[SecretSailor]

Our 2000 Four Winns 190 Horizon boat has a Volvo Penta 5.0 GI PEFS motor. It is low hours and well cared for. We are have only owned for a few months and it has started first time, every time. Today on the slipway, the engine would not start. It cranked well each turn but the engine would not start. After repeated key turning, kill cord removal and inserting, and general sweating (as the kids got restless. ) ... it started. It then started every turn after that.

Pulled up at lunch and it repeated the failing to start.

From what I could ascertain - the engine didn't start when I didn't hear, what I presume to be, the fuel pump priming after the ignition was turned. After doing the key turning and kill cord removing dance for a couple of turns, it started again.

I think it could be fuel related as it did not smell fuelly after repeated cranking and, like previously mentioned, the non-starting appeared to coincide with the lack of pump noise after ignition.

I am new to inboard motors so not sure where to start on this. Any help appreciated.

 

[alldodge]

Look close at the kill code switch. This switch is in between the key and the ignition power.

My guess from your symptoms it may be the kill switch

 

[SecretSailor]

I thought that initially but it would appear the kill cord switch is good. Every time, without fail, that I removed the kill cord - all the electrics and dials would die, as it should. As soon as the kill cord was put back in, the dials and engine beeps would resume.

It was the apparent lack of fuel pump noise that I thought was more the issue. When I heard the pump, engine would started. When I didn't hear it, the engine didn't start. Could that be related to the kill cord switch even though I still had all working instrument dials and engine beeps?

 

[alldodge]

Always good to have more info

With that I would look at the fuel pump relay and its contacts. Fuel pump is 1 and main power is 14

 

[SecretSailor]

Great, thank you.
Is the relay situated next to the fuel pump? I don’t have a manual yet and the boat is stored 30 mins away.

 

[alldodge]

The relays (there are 3 of them) are on top the motor near the motor breakers

Main power
Fuel pump
Start Assist

 

[SecretSailor]

Thanks again. Will post back with my findings

 

[SecretSailor]

Jumped the relay and it started each time. Ordered a new relay, so hopefully just that.
Thanks for you help

 

[Larvel]

Jumped the relay and it started each time. Ordered a new relay, so hopefully just that.
Thanks for you help

I have been chasing this problem for 8 years, So random when it occurs. Never happens when mechanic starts boat. Mechanic has replaced fuel pumps, tune up, most recently replaced Idle Air Control Valve at very end of season. Was awaiting to see if that worked this season. Have not checked fuel pump relay. Did this solve the problem?

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Great, thank you.
Is the relay situated next to the fuel pump? I don’t have a manual yet and the boat is stored 30 mins away.

Watch the video, just as he takes off the flame arrestor he points right at them....Ive tried to que the video at that moment.\

Actually, on a boat, that old a little crc contact cleaner would be of great value on most the inputs contacts etc etc. Opps not down the tbi while running lol geezz. But one could give the injectors connections a good shot...motor off of course.

 

[Larvel]

Did the Fuel relay and it did not help my non starting or loss of RPM issue. Just changed Anti Siphon valve and the boat has much better power performance Does not lose RPM's and gets out of the hole quicker.

 

[Larvel]

It turns out that replacing the anti siphon valve in the fuel tank has cured my loss of power and random non-starting issue. The symptoms of a bad anti-syphon valve are, hard starting, surging RPM's while under way, hesitation or backfiring upon acceleration and lack of wide open throttle (WOT) RPM's.

 

[dypcdiver]

Thanks for the update.