2006 Sportster Supercharged-Troubles starting when warm.

[kf64]

Short version:
Engine starts fine when cold and hot, but issues when warm. It will crank over but will not ignite. After about 20 minutes then it finally catches and starts.

Long version:
I bought the Sportster last year used. Has always started right up (cold, warm, hot). Even this April after sitting with the fuel tank full it started fine (but was rough running for about 30 minutes because of the 6 month old fuel). I took it out 3 more times each time adding new premium fuel (and Sta-bil to each tank). I have easily run through 2 tank fulls before the new issue started.

The issue started AFTER my last trip to the shop. They installed a CD player and adjusted the shifter linkage. I don't think it is related to the issue, just presenting all facts. This past Sunday I took the boat out and ran for about 2 hours. We anchored and shut the boat off. When the time came to pull the anchor the boat would turn over but would not ignite. I took the engine cover off and checked every possible electrical connection I could find. I tried and tried again to start. Each time waiting a few minutes in between. A few times the engine would make a strange "puft" sound. After doing that a few times it finally started and off we went. I thought a one time thing so we went for about another hour and decided to test it. We anchored again. Shut the boat off, waited a minute and started it right back up. Great we thought. 45 minutes later we are ready to leave and once again it would not start. Turns over but did not ignite. Again waited and tried. "Puft" sound a couple of times and it finally started after about 10-15 minutes of trying (thank goodness plenty of battery power).

So...any ideas? I told my local shop about it and the tech said he would ask around. Well, 2 more calls and 4 days and no answer yet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[devonte007]

First thing that crosses my mind is air, or lack thereof in the engine compartment. Did you run the blower fan for any length of time while trying to start the engine?

I have heard of fumes and noncombustible air settling into the bottom of a hot bilge not letting the motor start, one of the reasons boats have blower fans (recently read a thread on this forum about this issue). Having the engine hatch open may not always be enough to clear the air. You mentioned a "puft" sound which leads me to believe that the engine may be trying to start but just can't catch a breath.

You also mentioned a recent adjustment to the shifter and I thought maybe neutral safety switch. If that happens, though, the engine does not even turn over (if memory serves me right) so that is probably is not your problem.

If none of the above then it has to be either fuel or spark related. If you can reliably reproduce the no-start problem, testing is straight forward. When was the last time the spark plugs were replaced? Not sure that I have ever heard of a plug failing in this way but might be worth a try to throw a new set in as these 4-tec engines do tend to eat plugs. I have also heard of exhaust manifolds and intercoolers that leak when warm, check out this thread:
http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?65032-4tec-SC-guru-s-needed-for-trouble-shoot&highlight=intercooler+leak

 

[kf64]

Thank you for the reply! I ran the blower for a little bit but not for long. I was assuming that have the engine cover off was enough. I'll remember that for next time if it happens again.

I will have the plugs replaced and see if that solves it.

Again, thank you!

 

[Coastiejoe]

The blower is a known solution to Seadoo boats starting. But in your case, since it starts hot or cold I can't imagine that is your specific issue. That said, you do need to run it for 4 minutes for both safety and ease if starting.


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