F150 will not start

[Sailfish2660]

Here is the exact issue...I left and had no issues. Stayed at the sand bar for most of the day. When I went to start strbd engine it would not start...just clicked. Port engine started and ran great. The strbd engine has two brand new batteries. In an effort to try and trouble shoot the issue, I connected the strbd cables to the port side batteries and the port side cables to the strbd batteries..The port engine again started right up, the strbd engine just clicks. This would confirm it is not the batteries. I also noticed that the trim/tilt on the strbd engine is very slow and week. So far, I cleaned the ground that is back by the engines behind the hatch where the racor filters are. After that didnt do anything, I wired the strbd battery cable directly to the hot side up the battery switch to bypass the switch and still nothing. I also noticed that when have the strbd key is in the "On" position and hit the strbd trim/tilt switch the gauges shut off and them come back on when I release the trim/tilt switch. I think this further confirms that I am having an electrical issue. Lastly, i just checked the strbd engines starter and noticed the the starter gears are engaged with the fly wheel, with the batteries and key in the off position. The port engines starter motor gears are sitting just below the flywheel. I was able to get the starter motor to disengage the flywheel, but once I turned the key on again, the starter would engage and get stuck. Any thoughts on what could be the issue? electrical? starter?

[BIGDAWG2566]

SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A GROUND ISSUE AT THE ENGINE

[Sailfish2660]

UPDATE>>> I took the cover off of the engine an watched the starter motor to see what was happeneing. When I did this, I noticed a spark coming from around the ground wire that is connected directly to the engine. The ground is connected just below the starter, so I dont know if the ground wire was sparking or the starter was sparking. Eitherway, I am going to take off the ground and power wires that are connected directly to the engine. I will claen them and then re-install the wires. I will update my issue one this is done.

[Sailfish2660]

Final update...The engine started. It appears the issue was the main ground that is connected to the actual engine. Took the ground wire off of the engine, cleaned it and teh engine started. All of teh otehr electrical issues have gone away as well.

[FishingAddictFla]

Final update...The engine started. It appears the issue was the main ground that is connected to the actual engine. Took the ground wire off of the engine, cleaned it and teh engine started. All of teh otehr electrical issues have gone away as well.

Amazing what corrosion does, eh?

[Sailfish2660]

I guess I spoke to soon. Took the boat out and after about 30 minutes into our journey, the strbd engine dies...Just my luck. I try to re-start is wtih no luck. Know it cranks just fine but will not turn over. I was able to get it to start a few times but it would just run for a few seconds and then sputter and die. Again, no issues with the port engine are present. To me it sounds like a fuel issue now...What are your thoughts? Have I been attacked by the Ethanol Monster? I do put Stabil Ethonal treatment in ever tank fill up. FML.

[parrott]

I guess I spoke to soon. Took the boat out and after about 30 minutes into our journey, the strbd engine dies...Just my luck. I try to re-start is wtih no luck. Know it cranks just fine but will not turn over. I was able to get it to start a few times but it would just run for a few seconds and then sputter and die. Again, no issues with the port engine are present. To me it sounds like a fuel issue now...What are your thoughts? Have I been attacked by the Ethanol Monster? I do put Stabil Ethonal treatment in ever tank fill up. FML.

Is your primer bulb pumping up? Check the filter on the front of the engine. Is it full? Is the red

ring sitting at the bottom? Try switching the fuel lines from one engine to the other. Fuel issues can be a pain to track down.

Check your main filters for water and trash also.

[Sailfish2660]

Parrott,

You hit the nail on the head. The fuel line was clogged. Mechanic said that it looks like the fuel line is breaking down from the inside out do to ethanol. Mechanic also said the injectors were in pretty rough shape.

Edited August 5, 2010 by Sailfish2660