1999 Ski Nautique PCM 351 won't start

[roccoh]

Replaced plugs, Cap, Rotor, Coil.
Ran great today for +3 hours.
Only 2 times did engine have trouble starting

Finished skiing and idled into Marina. About 100' from ramp engine dies and will not restart

What's the possible problem?

thanks

[JDusza]

Perhaps running a little lean with a vapor lock at higher temperature.
Adjust idle mix a little richer or perhaps increase idle speed a little bit.
J

[BrennanK]

Does the engine turn over? Have you checked the relays for the fuel system? I know that is a semi-known issue with my boat. I doubt it changed by 1999.
A little bit better description of what the boat is doing could be very useful. It doesn't start is much to broad for a lot of help.

[roccoh]

yes, engine turns over but does not start

[s_kelley2000]

Is the safety lanyard hooked up? On my boat it cuts the power to the fuel pumps so it will crank all day but never get any fuel. You should hear the low pressure fuel pump kick on for a couple of seconds when you turn the key to the on (not start) position. If you do not hear the fuel pump kick on then start with the safety lanyard first and if that is not it start checking for power at the pump.

[wake_fun]

This boat has a carb for everyone's info

[SilentSeven]

Start with the basics - you either don't have fuel or you don't have spark. Need to figure out which one and take it from there.

[BrennanK]

yes, engine turns over but does not start

I have my money on the relay. You can jump it to confirm. There are two at the back of the engine. I cannot remember which one it is off hand. I can go look if you need.

You can confirm its operation by turning the key to the run position without starting. You can listen very costly under the dog house and hear the fuel pump run for a second. Presumably priming itself.

[99SAN]

Switch/replace the relay.... I had the same problem... pull a spark plug and check for fire and see if the fuel pump is turning on

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[roccoh]

Updated Status:

1. replaced plugs, cap, rotor and coil
2. after 3 hours of skiing engine quit at dock
3. I think the MSD coil fried the old magnetic distributor comonents
4. Ok, no problem replace with Electronic conversion kit including ballast resistor
5. Installed myself per instructions. Could not get boat to start
6. took to Nautique dealer in Ranch Cordova. Turns out the kit was bad
7. Order new kit and return old for refund
8. Dealer installs and get boat to run
9. Take boat out for day of skiing. Runs good. Starts most of the time. Still some starting issues. HAve to open throttle up fully to start
10. Install new Fuel/Water separator filter. Clean carburator
11. Ski yesterday. Boat fires up at dock.
12. Ski several sets. Turn off engine. Hard to restart. Have to finesse throtle to restart
13. After several more sets (without turning off engine) motor back to dock
14. 5 mph zone near dock, engine starts to miss, run rough then died. Could not restart
15. What the heck?

[roccoh]

one more thing: i have new fuel pump on order. will install this weekend. im running out of parts to replace...

[SilentSeven]

Does the boat have an electronic ignition or distributor / points setup?

The rough running issue getting worse followed by a full quit reminds me of my old Mastercraft when the ignition condenser would fail. Boat would start running really rough as the points shorted and then ultimately not run at all.

[Rick]

Sounds like the fuel pump is starting to fail. That's what happened to me.

[roccoh]

i've installed the new Mallory Electronic Conversion kit. No points, condenser etc.

I'll have new fuel pump wed. I will post results

thanks

[jhersey29]

Out of curiosity what engine do you have? I thought the 351 1999s were the EFI GT40. I knew about the 302 but haven't seen anything with anything other than the 302 or GT40 for sale. Picture would be awesome if you have time.
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