Boat died & won't start in the lock today!

[jcsa71]

First time out on the water this season after a long winter and some much needed maintence on our '87 Skier. Launched the boat on the river, got into the lock to go up, boat was running fine. Shut it off - we were in the lock for 45 min due to lockage issues. When I started the boat back up it stalled and that was it. It would not start again. When you turn the key the starter engages and the motor turns EXTREMELY slow but will not start. Checked the wiring connections, shifter is in neutral, strong suspicion starter is failing. Any suggestions?

[REW]

Check battery. and all connections. Otherwise.....Starter.

[jcsa71]

My husband is working on it now. It was hydrolock? Anybody know why this happens?

[Bill_AirJunky]

Hydrolock is when water gets in the cylinder & the piston can't compress it..... usually results in a cracked engine block.

Vapor lock is when the engine is hot, user shuts it down, hot engine soaks in it's own heat & heats up a bit more, and vaporizes the gas in the fuel lines above the engine. Can result in fuel starvation, engine not starting or running like crap due to low fuel pressure.

Skidim.com has a fuel line insulation kit for like $15 that will help with this.

Give them a call & give them the symptoms.

Or next time your in the locks, just pop open the engine cover & let it cool off.

Edited June 6, 2011 by Bill_AirJunky