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Short story: run the engines for 30 minutes or more, cruise or idle, doesn't matter. Shut it down. Anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours later, the engine will not start, or starts and dies right away. This is an intermittent issue, and moves from port to starboard, and sometimes both (as in get towed in). Without fail, the engines can always be started the next morning as if nothing ever happened. Been going on now for 8 months.
Clue: spin off the fuel water separator, and the fuel level is down 1/2" or more. Now we know why they won't start.
It seems to be related to engines coming to temperature, or perhaps time. Last weekend we ran 120 miles without incident, but no temporary stopping and then going, except when we broke from the raft up, idled for 5 minutes, anchored, and then 4 hours later pulled the hook, and both fired right up. AUUUGGGHHHH.
Casual mechanic conversations think it might be vapor lock, but both engines, moving randomly from port to starboard? A Rinda showed no codes thrown on either engine.
I have watched both fuel vents when filling up for blockage. Last week, the port vent was clear, and the Starboard acted clogged. I cleared the Starboard vent thinking I had solved my problem. Nope, yesterday idled across the bay to take a small kid fishing, and cut both engines to drift. Port wouldn't start. Idled 1/2 mile to another spot, and cut the starboard engine (dumb). Now neither start. 2 hours later, the Starboard finally started. Port never did. Made it back, and this morning, both engines start like nothing ever happened. Double AAUUGGHHH.
The fuel is fresh, the tanks have been treated with StarTron (double dose) and I am at my wits end. So, what's causing my fuel level in the separators to be low? Why does it eventually get better over 8+ hours?
I see where you said the fuel filters were only half full when you checked them. That there is no fuel in the system when you attempt to start the engines rather makes sense. That the formerly empty system is full when you attempt a cold start the next day does not make sense.
Just a suggestion but have you checked your fuel coolers for blockages ? Not sure of age of your engines but there was a corrosion issue with some , think they were called KOOL FUEL 3 ? might be worth a look - I think they were made of alumininium & are prone to blocking causing the symptoms you describe, hope this helps :huh: