1999 225hp ox66, trouble starting....

starboard engine starts right up, runs fine....port engine, takes a long time to start.....5 tries, 8 seconds per try....once it starts runs fine, goes up on plane fine, runs wide open fine...

but if I shut it down after running a while and try to restart, again takes a long time even when warm.....and after running for a while, if I go back to idle at the dock, the rpms are low and it will stall out....I can get it restarted, takes a while, when it first starts, seems to smoke, but after 20 seconds or so smokes no more than the other engine, which is very little...

some recent maintenance...
- using non ethanol gas
- replaced all fuel filters...one on engine, and racor
- replaced plugs, gapped properly
- cleaned o2 sensor...was not that fouled up on inspection
- check all plug wire grounds (but did not check spark or resistance yet)
- new poppit valve, spring etc.
- new thermostats

I use ring free...

any thoughts..

[boats.net]

Probably need to check throttle body sycronization, idle speed and TPS.

[bigfish1229]

how old is the boat its self, particullarly the gas line from the tank to the engine. i believe you have a dirty vst on the motor. this is that big silver tank. there is a screen style filter insidde of it, it sounds as if that screen is dirty. i own 3 of these engines and this is the problem i have found. if when you take that tank apart the screen has a powdery black substance on it, check your fuel hose. but that is most likely the problem. if you would like send me a pm and i will give you detailed instructions on cleaning this tank. hope this helps