Twin engine and both engines exhibit the same problem. Go out for a run and shut down to grab lunch. Hour later, they try to start and will run for a second or two before dying. Both act like they are starved for fuel. I checked the fuel/water separator and no water in system. Let it sit for another hour and after a few cranks, they fire up like it never happened. Get home, tie up and restart to flush without issue. Its just that magic 'hour' after I let it sit. Happened many times.

Fuel tank vent line? Ill check and replace both fuel filters in the AM (8 months old), but it seems like a heat related issue. Fuel and heat is the only thing the two engines share? Both are bone stock with about 30 hours on rebuilds.....nothing fancy like blowers or aftermarket EFI/Carbs.

Tonight I almost had to call the Tow Of Shame in front of a packed boaters bar. I just hid down below for a few hours and came home alone in the dark after I got one engine to start up. And this time I verified I had about a half tank of gas (Yea...I did that once after a faulty fuel sender).

Ill try anything as mechanics are backed up at least a month.

Thanks in advance.

Willing to bet vapor lock.

Vapor Lock. My 1997 MPIs have the same issue. More so the stbd side. Avoid ethanol fuel. Akways run the blower. Always allow some idle time to cool down before shutting down. Leave hatch cracked and blower on when parked.

Oh, and im all ears for any other remedies. There is a kit for the cool fuel equipped engines (check valve and electric supplemental pump) , but not applicable for my v-belt VST era engines.

I have threatened my engines to carburetor swaps! About ready for freshening at 850hrs. Been looking for a fair priced pair of HP500 carb motors, or even better Bulldogs! If i build these up, on the fence with keeping the efi

I have the cool fuel system and the little plastic covers are in tact (see...I used the search function after I knew where to start). So thanks to my fellow sufferers.

Is this the correct anti vapor lock kit for the cool fuel engines?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MerCruiser-...-/201385686370

Corrective options are Cool fuel evap kit as shown above, or idling for five minutes with the blower running and hatch open or?

Vapor lock for sure. The hotter and more humid it is, the more likely it is to happen.

Not running ethanol fuel and opening hatch and running the blower for 5-10 mins after you dock helps a lot. I rarely have it happen when I do this.

Run the fuel return lines back to the tank.

I’ve seen a few people put clothes pins on the metal fuel lines to act as heat sinks.... I shook my head when I saw it, but the people swear it worked to get by in a pinch.

Don't see that kit helping much. The issue is there is vapor in the fuel rail developed from the heat. Your mechanical pump is working, as been said, the best method is run the return back to the tank.

A quick fix can be done with a rag, small screw driver and pair of safety glases.
Remove the cap off the schrader valve on the fuel rail, put on saftey glasses, turn key until pump stops. Place rag around the schrader valve and press in with screw driver. Repeat the step a couple times till you start getting fuel come out

Is this the first time this has happened? Is the boat new to you? The reason Im asking this is maybe you got some bad gas. I know the refineries had to change their ethanol formula because of the vapor lock issues and small engines having trouble with it. Mostly gumming up in the carbs. Ive also noticed that on the new boats they have a low pressure fuel pump and a high pressure fuel pump. If this is the first time and its never happened before maybe your pump is getting weak. I would definitely check your tank vent also.

Ill also have to respectfully disagree with the idle open hatch blower thing. In this day and time you just shouldn't have to do that to be able to restart your engine in this day and time. You cant tell me in this day and time engine builders cant come up with a solution for vapor lock.