2003 Super Air - PCM 330 cranking but not starting

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  • ricky
    • Feb 2011
    • 16

    • Austin, TX

    • 2008 SANTE 230
    #1

    2003 Super Air - PCM 330 cranking but not starting

    I recently purchased a 2003 Super Air Nautique which has the PCM Excalibur 330 engine.

    It had been starting normally until now. Now I can't get it to start and when crank the engine (for up to 15 seconds) I only sometimes hear the engine ignite a single cylinder, and then a lot of beeping from the console after I stop.

    1. I verified that I have a spark to each of the spark plugs, but didn't pull the plugs.

    2. I tested the fuel pressure just before the injectors which was 60psi when cranking, and settled at 50psi after a few minutes.

    3. Pulled about 1/2 a cup of fuel from the fuel injector line and found a few drops of water in it, but could have been in water bottle beforehand...need to retest.

    It's kinda acting like it has been flooded...so I tried starting with 100% (WOT) throttle and even letting it sit over night to clear the cylinders with no success. I also tried putting a small amount of fuel directly down the carb in the case that all the fuel injectors were not allowing any fuel into the cylinders but got the same result.

    Video of a 15 second crank.


    Attached photos show fuel pressure and fuel quality.
    Click image for larger version Name: fuel_pressure.jpg Views: 1 Size: 94.5 KB ID: 374526Click image for larger version Name: pulled_fuel.jpg Views: 1 Size: 86.9 KB ID: 374525


    I'm now leaning towards bad fuel, flooded, or the fuel injectors are not working.

    Any help would be much appreciated!
    Tags: cranking, engine, pcm, problem, won't start
  • Quinner
    1,000 Post Club Member
    • Apr 2004
    • 2245

    • Unknown

    • Correct Crafts
    #2
    If you have spark probably not the issue, but be sure your lanyard is in place properly.

    Comment

    • ricky
      • Feb 2011
      • 16

      • Austin, TX

      • 2008 SANTE 230
      #3
      Originally posted by Quinner View Post
      If you have spark probably not the issue, but be sure your lanyard is in place properly.
      Thanks Quinner, I verified that when I removed lanyard the engine will not even try to crank, and when replaced It would start cranking but never start.

      Comment

      • AirTool
        1,000 Post Club Member
        • Sep 2007
        • 4049

        • Katy, Texas

        #4
        1. putting fuel down the throttle body should have helped if you aren't getting fuel.

        2. my 2006 cranks with the lanyard off but doesn't fire. Your comment doesn't match.

        3. my 2006 does "nothing" when the neutral safety switch isn't happy. You still might check that. Operate the shifter a few times.

        4. Connect an inductive timing light if you have one and confirm the spark is "regular"...any missing beats and you might have a bad Ignition Module. You can also attach it to a coil wire. DO NOT FIRE THE ENGINE WITH ONE OF THE WIRES OFF.

        5. My gut feel is that it is something simple.
        Last edited by AirTool; 04-03-2011, 02:08 PM.

        Comment

        • ricky
          • Feb 2011
          • 16

          • Austin, TX

          • 2008 SANTE 230
          #5
          It just got a **** of a lot worse. I tried cranking again and the engine backfired causing the exhaust manifold to explode...

          Click image for larger version Name: backfire.jpg Views: 1 Size: 92.1 KB ID: 361776

          I guess its time to take her to the dealer...

          Comment

          • AirTool
            1,000 Post Club Member
            • Sep 2007
            • 4049

            • Katy, Texas

            #6
            Originally posted by ricky View Post
            It just got a **** of a lot worse. I tried cranking again and the engine backfired causing the exhaust manifold to explode...

            [ATTACH]12088[/ATTACH]

            I guess its time to take her to the dealer...
            I just realized you might of one of the wacky serial numbers that needed the camshaft retard adjusted....to prevent backfiring.

            Read this and see if your S/N fits.

            http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...SUP2003-06.pdf
            Last edited by AirTool; 04-03-2011, 02:28 PM.

            Comment

            • ricky
              • Feb 2011
              • 16

              • Austin, TX

              • 2008 SANTE 230
              #7
              Originally posted by AirTool View Post
              I just realized you might of one of the wacky serial numbers that needed the camshaft retard adjusted....to prevent backfiring.

              Read this and see if your S/N fits.

              http://www.planetnautique.com/Correc...SUP2003-06.pdf

              Thanks for the tips AirTool, my engine model number is PLA PVL10 M, so that service update applies to my engine. Unfortunately I don't have one of those scan tools so I can't verify the CAM Retard Value, but I did look to see if the distributor could have accidentally rotated a bit offsetting the CAM Retard angle but it's pretty solid and the distributor hold down bolt is tight.

              Comment

              • ricky
                • Feb 2011
                • 16

                • Austin, TX

                • 2008 SANTE 230
                #8
                Originally posted by AirTool View Post
                2. my 2006 cranks with the lanyard off but doesn't fire. Your comment doesn't match.

                3. my 2006 does "nothing" when the neutral safety switch isn't happy. You still might check that. Operate the shifter a few times.
                I went back down and retested my boat, I was mistaken.Mine will crank with and without the lanyard attached. Mine will also do nothing if I try to start it with some throttle without using the neutral safety switch.

                Comment

                • AirTool
                  1,000 Post Club Member
                  • Sep 2007
                  • 4049

                  • Katy, Texas

                  #9
                  Originally posted by ricky View Post
                  Thanks for the tips AirTool, my engine model number is PLA PVL10 M, so that service update applies to my engine. Unfortunately I don't have one of those scan tools so I can't verify the CAM Retard Value, but I did look to see if the distributor could have accidentally rotated a bit offsetting the CAM Retard angle but it's pretty solid and the distributor hold down bolt is tight.
                  I have a hard time believing it all. But I think it was ???? that can prove it that all of a sudden it needs to be adjusted even though the distributor didn't move.

                  Search the posts but it looks like you have some repair work to do first.

                  Comment

                  • WakeSlayer
                    1,000 Post Club Member
                    • Sep 2005
                    • 2069

                    • Silver Creek, MN

                    • 1968 Mustang
                    #10
                    Have you tried eliminating the lanyard? Jump the wires and see if that helps.
                    Sorry about the muffler, that sux.
                    the WakeSlayer
                    1999 Super Air - Python Powered <-- For Sale
                    1968 Correct Craft Mustang

                    Comment

                    • ricky
                      • Feb 2011
                      • 16

                      • Austin, TX

                      • 2008 SANTE 230
                      #11
                      Originally posted by WakeSlayer View Post
                      Have you tried eliminating the lanyard? Jump the wires and see if that helps.
                      Sorry about the muffler, that sux.
                      Hey WakeSlayer, I tried a brand new lanyard and then jumping the wires but still having the same issue, it seems to backfire every 3rd for 4th time I crank it.

                      I also noticed a very slight burn on the wire between the coil-->distributor from it shorting against the engine block. I rerouted so that it wasn't touching anything but wasn't able to get the engine started. Will still need to replace this wire either way.

                      Comment

                      • ricky
                        • Feb 2011
                        • 16

                        • Austin, TX

                        • 2008 SANTE 230
                        #12
                        Resolved!!!

                        It was the Distributor & rotor...they were both corroded badly!
                        Click image for larger version Name: distributor.jpg Views: 1 Size: 89.0 KB ID: 361784Click image for larger version Name: coil_wire.jpg Views: 1 Size: 86.1 KB ID: 361785


                        Started right up, she is pretty loud with a massive hole in the top of the muffler.



                        Thanks for all the help!

                        Comment

                        • Quinner
                          1,000 Post Club Member
                          • Apr 2004
                          • 2245

                          • Unknown

                          • Correct Crafts
                          #13
                          Nothing like a happy ending after a good cranking, lol!! Congrats on solving your issue.

                          What's your plan with the muffler, believe they are just glass, maybe pull it out and patch it up yourself?

                          BTW, is that a Fram oil filter? After reading a few reports on those I switched and now just use Motorcraft FL1A's.

                          Comment

                          • ricky
                            • Feb 2011
                            • 16

                            • Austin, TX

                            • 2008 SANTE 230
                            #14
                            Originally posted by Quinner View Post
                            Nothing like a happy ending after a good cranking, lol!! Congrats on solving your issue.

                            What's your plan with the muffler, believe they are just glass, maybe pull it out and patch it up yourself?

                            BTW, is that a Fram oil filter? After reading a few reports on those I switched and now just use Motorcraft FL1A's.

                            Thanks!, it looks like it was just the blowout cap on the muffler that was destroyed, I'm going to try to make a new one out of fiberglass this week. If it's a success I'll do a how to post on it.

                            Also thanks for the tip on the Fram oil filter, I'll swap her out for an FLA1.

                            Comment

                            • WakeSlayer
                              1,000 Post Club Member
                              • Sep 2005
                              • 2069

                              • Silver Creek, MN

                              • 1968 Mustang
                              #15
                              Congrats on the fix. Good job. The cap should be pretty easy to fix. Worst case, straight pipe it !!
                              the WakeSlayer
                              1999 Super Air - Python Powered <-- For Sale
                              1968 Correct Craft Mustang

                              Comment

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