Carver Owners Forum

I have a question.

I have a 2002 380 Santego powered by 2 8.1 GI-IA Volvo engines. Recently the port engine has been giving me some starting issues.

Last weekend ran great started every time.

Prior week.
I turned the key no audible alarm, the engine would crank but not start.

I am worried that one time I am able to leave port and I go to return the intermittent problem will leave me in the gulf with only 1 engine

I did some research and I had my battery switch on both all the time Since last weekend I turn if off when not at the boat and I rotate from 1 to 2 every other day.

Should I look at the relays or is this possibly a charging issues

Could be a number of things.
- Does this happen the first time you try starting on the weekend or will it happen any time like a couple of hours after a run, you try and it won't start again?
- Is it always a no start symptom or has it stalled out as well?
- When it cranks and won't start, can you hear the fuel pump working?
- When were the plugs last changed?
- Have you checked to ensure the harness plug and all other plugs are tight, contacts are clean, etc?
- I believe there is an ignition breaker and a relay box. Check the connections at all these points. I've also had issues with the breakers.
- Make sure the batteries are good, have them tested, and ensure the connections are tight and clean at the battery end and the engine end.

The more info you can provide, the better.

The good thing about having twins is that you can swap out parts from one engine to the other and see if the problem follows the part. Just make sure you change only one part at a time, and once you're convinced it's not the issue, put it back in the original engine and then swap out the next part. This way you'll know for sure which part is faulty.

I second checking the harness by the circuit breakers by the engines. Though not an 8.1, I had a 4.3 where this harness become temperamental. It would just crank and crank. After some fidgeting and tightening the clamp at a slight angle, poof it started right up. A Volvo mechanic gave me the tip. Most likely I bumped it while servicing the engines.
Good luck.

Oooops, and welcome aboard Tim

The problem here could go in either of two directions - fuel or ignition. You need to eliminate one so you can focus on the other. Ignition is the easiest to check, so start with that: Remove the boot from a spark plug, stick a screwdriver in the end of the boot to make connection, place the screwdriver somewhere so it's about 1/4" from a grounded surface and have someone turn the engine over. Be careful and aware that the engine might start! You should get a nice, bright spark from the screwdriver shaft to the ground when the engine is turning over. If not, it's time to look into connections on the electronic ignition system. The individual components on these big-blocks are pretty reliable, so it's usually a loose or corroded connection. Another issue can be a place where a lead or wire rubs against a metal surface, the insulation wears through, and you get a short.

Again, the 8.1Gi has an electronic fuel injection that has proven very reliable, so fuel issues are usually supply-related. Any chance of water in the tank? What you are describing can be caused by some water getting in the fuel system. Do you have a gas/water separator? Check it and see what's there. If you don't have a separator, put a bottle of fuel treatment (I like the StarBrite Star-Tron) in the tank that feeds the troubled engine, run the boat around a bit, and see if it fixes the problem.

After these easier-to-check things, you would need to move on to more detailed troubleshooting. Hope this helps and good luck!

Great. I am headed to the boat tomorrow so we will see what we find. Thanks for the replies