Went out on Saturday for a sail and overnight stay over with family. As we left the harbor, the Volvo 2002 Raw water cooled diesel start loosing power. That's strange because I maintain the engine meticulously every year. Oil, Filter and impeller changes, winterize and all. We've done over 100 engine hours this year so far with no hint of any problem.
Turning back to the bay, the engine loose power to a point that it quit. I can re-start it but loose power when put in gear. I couldn't get her into the narrow entrance and getting close to the rock. Just circle around a few time and really getting too close to the rock. No good as the light wind is blowing towards the rock. I couldn't sail around as the sails were not up yet. Even too close to drop anchor.
Luckily a friend sailing nearby and got a tow back into the club.
After a cold beer to calm down, I changed the engine fuel filter, bleed the fuel and the engine fired up right-a-way. So the fuel pump is ok. Put into gear and ran up to 2500 rpm tied to the dock for 20 minutes. No problem at all. There is no air leak into the system as I repeated the start and ran in gear two more time with no problem.
Went home and cut open the old filter. It was very very clean. Now I am lost.
Slept over it and tried to form a possible reason. I am thinking of a theory that may make sense. What if the vent is clogged. The fuel may not be able to be drawn out due to vacuum.
I am going to try to blow out the vent line tonight and see if there is any thing inside. I don't know why the vent would be clogged as there is a screen on the outside.
Have anyone experience similar situation? Any other recommendations and thoughts?
Turning back to the bay, the engine loose power to a point that it quit. I can re-start it but loose power when put in gear. I couldn't get her into the narrow entrance and getting close to the rock. Just circle around a few time and really getting too close to the rock. No good as the light wind is blowing towards the rock. I couldn't sail around as the sails were not up yet. Even too close to drop anchor.
Luckily a friend sailing nearby and got a tow back into the club.
After a cold beer to calm down, I changed the engine fuel filter, bleed the fuel and the engine fired up right-a-way. So the fuel pump is ok. Put into gear and ran up to 2500 rpm tied to the dock for 20 minutes. No problem at all. There is no air leak into the system as I repeated the start and ran in gear two more time with no problem.
Went home and cut open the old filter. It was very very clean. Now I am lost.
Slept over it and tried to form a possible reason. I am thinking of a theory that may make sense. What if the vent is clogged. The fuel may not be able to be drawn out due to vacuum.
I am going to try to blow out the vent line tonight and see if there is any thing inside. I don't know why the vent would be clogged as there is a screen on the outside.
Have anyone experience similar situation? Any other recommendations and thoughts?