ALWAYS HAVE TOW INSURANCE

[twodzusfittings]

I used to think, I would never need to be towed. My last boat had a brand new outboard. This, new to me has a Universal M20.
Today it stopped working. Last year, just for cheap insurance I got Unlimited towing from BOAT US for $125. Best money I've spent. I got towed into my marina from the middle of the Sassafras, a tow without my unlimited membership would have been about $900. I recommend everyone should have it, either Boat US or SEA TOW. Don't leave home without it.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Glad to hear you were covered, but sorry to hear you needed it. What caused the breakdown?

 

[SG]

I think it's great insurance, too. You're a lot more likely to need an occasional assistance than a larger casualty loss.

Without insurance, it's really a VERY expensive bit of assistance. In the old days, the State Police (DNR in Maryland) or the Coast Guard would help you out. It wasn't uncommon for another boat to come to your rescue. Today, it's unusual to get institutional assistance; and, boaters seem less likely to go out of their way to get you out of a jam.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Cause of Breakdown: Engine started to bog down, and then erratically come back to life, finally quitting. I believe it's a crud blockage. Cleared all lines to the injectors. Did'nt have the good tools with me, so I still need to remove, clean and replace the injectors, bleed all again and try firing up.

 

[Davidasailor26]

I believe it's a crud blockage.

Sounds about right. I’d check the filters before the injectors though. And pick up some extra filters - if you had the problem once there’s probably more gunk in the bottom of the tank waiting to be sucked up. Unfortunately it usually gets sucked up when the boat is bouncing in the waves of a storm that you’re trying to beat to the dock (don’t ask how I know).

 

[SG]

Your injectors shouldn’t see gunk. Your filters should be jammed up first.
Do you have an initial Racor type water and particulate filter sitting in front of your engine’s final filter?

if you don’t have a water separator...

 

[Davidasailor26]

If the M20 on the O’Day 30 is plumbed like the M12 on the O’Day 28 it goes tank -> electric pump with screen filter -> spin on paper element filter -> high pressure pump -> injectors. Check and see if yours looks like that. If so the screen in the electric pump is the first thing to clog. Clean it and replace the spin on filter at the same time. I think some recommend putting the pump after a filter so you don’t have to disassemble the pump when it clogs.

 

[twodzusfittings]

I have: Tank>Racor Filter>Electric Pump>Napa Spin On Filter>Engine.
I have now fuel all the way to the Injectors but its not firing up. My next step is to check the injectors for crud and dirt, clean, replace and after bleeding again try firing up. If that won't work, then I'm going to have to look at other possibilities. Won't be able to tackle the issue until next Monday. I'll let everyone know what happens.

 

[SG]

have: Tank>Racor Filter>Electric Pump>Napa Spin On Filter>Engine.
I have now fuel all the way to the Injectors but its not firing up. My next step is to check the injectors for crud and dirt, clean, replace and after bleeding again try firing up. If that won't work, then I'm going to have to look at other possibilities. Won't be able to tackle the issue until next Monday. I'll let everyone know what happens.

Did the RACOR's (Now known as Parker's) Filter bowel show any water or "crud"?
The suggestion of screen (or "mesh") filters on i) the fuel pick-up in the tank, ii) the pump inlet , or iii) anywhere else can cause the appearance of "flow" to the injectors or engine -- but not really "FLOW". I'd check that and REMOVE THEM, if they're there.
If you had water to the injectors, then you can have damage to them.
Can you run the fuel pump and move fuel through the system and to the return back into the tank? You should have fuel flowing back into the the tank that is unused. It's possible, I suppose to have a back-up downstream of the injectors that would block the flow back to to the tank; and, therefore decrease the flow to the engine?

You said you had and off-again and on-again issue before you "conked-out"?

Our first boat was a new Pearson 35, in 1979. It was Hull #373, so Pearson had built a few of them :^))). The fuel pick-up tube was cut so that it would "suck-up" the bottom of the tank and block it's flow. The engine would die, then the vacuum would "clear" and the engine would run for a minute or two (sometimes five, depending on RPM) -- and then if would die again. SOLUTION: Cut 1/4" off the tube. Problem solved.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Did the RACOR's (Now known as Parker's) Filter bowel show any water or "crud"?
Yes. When I opened the drain valve with a jar underneath, out came fuel, dirt and water followed by a "hiss" of pressure release.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Tow insurance through your underwriter is typically far cheaper, allows use of any tow service and does not affect your premium subsequent to a claim. Why limiting yourself to any single tow company or area of coverage is a choice some people make but for which I never heard a logical reason.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I believe it's SeaTow that I bought through Progressive. If memory serves me correctly it was only $30. One weekend we had the outboard slip off the bracket. After an hour long struggle I managed to get it on board. We couldnt sail back because our slip is a mile down a river. We called progressive. After being placed on a brief hold they told us to call the Coast Guard because all the tow companies were too busy dealing with the scene party in Chicago. I reluctantly called them thinking they would only help those in true danger. They came about 1.5 hours later. Most of the crew was new and they left a bunch of marks on the boat but we were grateful for their service.
The next day we made repairs and headed out. 15 minutes later our outboard bracket snapped in half. The mount had more air bubbles in it than plastic. It looked like a sponge! We called progressive and an hour or two later TowBoat US showed up. They were down to earth, professional and definitely knew what they were doing. These guys were awesome!

 

[fhujber]

My M12 went through similar symptoms last year. Check the fuel pump.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Update for today for those that are following: Fresh Racor Primary Filter, and fresh Napa Gold Fuel Filter all in place.
Removed both Injectors, one at a time and cleaned them. Replaced.
Bleed the system and tried cranking. No will start!

Cleaned up to go home. Its my turn to cook dinner! On my way home, I stopped in to see my best friend to discuss my challenge with the engine. We talked about what I had done and went over the steps. The AH HA moment happened. I did something because I assumed I remembered the steps when we first got the engine started way back in the winter.

I'm not going to completely embarrass myself but let me say this, I forgot that it was two of us working on it, and he was the lead. This time I forgot to be cranking over the engine when bleeding the lines at the injectors!!!!

So with the knowledge I have now obtained, this Monday coming I will go over everything again and bleed at the injectors whilst using a hand held remote starter trigger. And of course correct the work that is really the big reason why it wont start.

PS: The reason it won't work is that I adjusted the hi pressure pump piston heights thinking that is the only way I could bleed and forgot that it works off the cam. Yep......I'm soon to be called "NUMNUTS" !!!!!

 

[Ward H]

I've been towed twice in 7 seasons. What I've paid for BoatUS those 7 seasons would have only covered one of my tows. Worth it to me.

 

[twodzusfittings]

Hey, for those that use BOAT US TOWING or if your considering buying this insurance, I've just got off the phone with West Marine Customer Service, and the Unlimited Regular Towing is on sale for $75 plus your Gold Membership for $24.
$99 for a year is really cheap Insurance. Only available this weekend. Sept 27-29.
This offer doesn't come around often. And if you currently have a policy, this just extends it for 12 more months.

No financial interest, just a heads up for all.

 

[twodzusfittings]

MONDAY! and it started. Runs really smooth now that the injectors are all clean. Did an oil change while my hands were dirty too. What a learning lesson. Now I'm a lot more comfortable with the engine as I understand the basics of how mine works.

 

[Davidasailor26]

Nice. I’d still keep some extra filter elements around in case there’s more sediment in the tank waiting to be sucked up. If that persists a tank cleaning / fuel polishing may be in your future.

 

[twodzusfittings]

I have added to my on board supply stock extra filters. And a Racor unit with a removable filter is on its way to me.

 

[Benny17441]

As necessary as life jackets. If you ever need USCG assistance and they request you leave the boat they will call a private tow service at your expense. Loss of engine in the face of deteriorating weather happens, and the wind direction may not be favorable for entering safe harbor.