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PhilMcC

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Went to my boat today after a week's lay-off and almost ran my (nearly new) battery flat trying to start the engine. It's been very cold so I expect it would take some oomph to start the engine (5L V8). Now the battery is almost flat and I didn't really get the engine started, ended up going home dejected!

Do people use chargers in the winter to avoid this scenario because presumably it will be worse next time?

Any help appreciated - I'm a novice.
 
Well a charger would help keep the battery topped up but it won't help if there's a reason for your engine not starting.

How long did the engine turn over? Did it fire at all (I'm assuming a petrol engine)?
 
It's easy to forget your battery in winter. It will lose its charge and needs regular checks on its condition. You can use a float charger permatently connected or just charge up once a month or so. If your battery is now nearly discharched then you need to get it charged fully of it will be ruined if left.
 
What is more worrying is that while you were cranking the engine was the coolingwater turned off.
If not you can easily backfill the engine as the cooling water fills up the muffler .
If you think this may be a problem can I suggest that you drain down the exhaust before you try again.
 
The engine started then cut out and I couldn't restart it. Tried turning it over a few times over a 1 hour period, probably 1 or 2 mins total use of the battery then it started to sound sluggish......

I should probably buy a charger? I saw a solar powered one on a boat recently but do I need something more powerful?
 
Was the cooling water turned off? I didn't know it could be turned off......

"Muffler" / "drain down the exhaust" - now you've really lost me.
 
I was presuming that yr boat was water cooled, and that it was fed from a skin fitting wich should have a sea cock on it to turn off the flow, for any number of reasons.
However your boat could have a dry exhaust in wich case the water would not be a problem.
If you keep turning the engine the raw water pump will keep pumping but as there is no exhaust pressure to blow out the water the exhaust will fill up and backflow into the engine causing a great deal of damage.
 
ok. It is raw water cooled. I don't recall the manual mentioning turning the stopcock in this situation however you are obviously well versed in these things. Wondering what the hell to do now you have me worried!
 
Just look at your exhaust and see if there is a way that water could get stuck. vetus waterlocks are a prime problem.
As a power boat it may be that the exhaust is all downhill to the transom and so will drain ok.
 
Hi beware of any easy start solutions? spraying into the air intake too often as the engines start getting a liking for it and like any bad habit it is hard to wean them off,far better to get someone who knows about engines to have a look and sort out any problems that may be starting to show,cheaper in the long run to.
chris.
 
An engine is a machine, how does it develop a memory, and get a liking for any thing, or aquire a habit.
What it does do is cause preignition and damage the bearings. big and little. and at the same time dilute the oil in the bore causing wear.
It should never be used.
 
[ QUOTE ]
"ended up going home dejected" and I suspect without the boat battery to charge it at home!

correct - left it on the boat! Tried some quick start but it didn't work after the initial effort. Maybe try to buy a charger!
 
Trust me, engines continualy started with easy start and the like will NEVER start if you stop using the stuff,i should know iv been rebuilding the things for 35 years, most where some clown has started to use easy start as a quick fix.

chris.
 
I think the collective view is that you need to be careful! Don't attempt to start the engine again until you have a fully charged battery and a drained down exhaust. If you are baffled get some on-site help. The consequence of trying to turn the engine over when there may be water in the cylinders does not bear thinking about! All simple stuff but not if you are a newcomer to the black arts of boating.
 
With a 5l v8 on a sealine 215 I suspect you will have an outdrive leg. If so this is where the cooling water will be drawn from and you probably won't have a seacock. Also don't worry about mufflers and waterlocks. If you have an outdrive leg the exhaust will be out through the prop. If you are concerned about water getting into the engine while turning over lift the leg till the water intake is clear of the water. If it does fire up then lower the leg as soon as it does. The engine should only be run at tickover with the leg raised if not you can bugger up the universal drive joint.
 
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