RTV 500 fuel issue

[buckmaster27012]

For many years I've dealt with a fuel issue on my RTV 500 that only happens during the summer. On initial start it cranks fine, but if I park it and come back while engine is still hot it typically doesnt crank. I've learned that if I allow the fuel pump to run before turning the engine over it typically starts. If I forget or somebody else is using the RTV they dont do this and its done for the day, until everything cools and it starts right up. I've read and watched plenty of videos and I'm thinking of installing a check valve in the fuel line. I've seen where this is done to older cars that deal with vapor lock issues due to current fuel available. I've also tried non-ethanol fuel and did not fix the issue. My questions is there any harm in doing this? I will also be wrapping the fuel line to try to deflect heat off it.

Thanks

 

[GeoHorn]

I once owned a ‘78 F-150 Ranger Lariat (351M engine) that did that when brand-new. After a few months of being P-O’d over that…. I wrapped the fuel line from the pump to the carb with crumpled aluminum-foil as insulator-and-heat-sink….. and the problem disappeared for the next 15 years …then I sold the truck in ‘95 when it had 220K miles. (That truck was still occasionally seen on the hiway in 2025, some 25 years later.)

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I put a check valve in my dieselled forklift years ago as tank was lower than the filter,so it could back drain into the tank.
Never ,ever had a problem not starting due to 'no fuel'.
For less than $10 ,potential problem went away !!

 

[whatsupdoc]

You need to be more clear, crank and start are totally different events.

 

[buckmaster27012]

It cranks but no start. After this occurs have to wait till around dark when it cools off and it fires right up. If I turn the key over twice without attempting to crank it will typically start but always a gamble on a hot sunny day. I've seen videos of the same issue with older cars and the great gas we have these days where they installed a check valve and that is where I got the idea. I've even tried non-ethanol fuel with no change. I'm not sure what else it could be because it runs fine the rest of the year.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

It's very unlikely that a check valve will help it.
It's more likely that you have a bad fuel pump, as that also checks the fuel flow.
Another option is that it has a fuel system vent issue, causing a vacuum on the system.