Diesel engine problems

[Rob Bach]

I have a terrible diesel problem. The Westerbeke in my 272 le will not start after a couple of yaers of fighting a bad fuel problem. Old diesel was put in by the harbor crew when taking the boat out. For the next year the engine would run for awhile 20 minutes or so and then stop. After an hour it would restart. We drained the fuel(disconecting the fuel line and running it into a can is there a way to drain the fuel tank directly?)and replaced the fuel filter and water seperator filter last year. That helped for awhile but then it stopped and now will not start. Any ideas? Thanx. love my O'Day anyway!! RB

 

[The Shootist]

Sounds like a clogged fuel pickup...

There should be a screen over the fuel pick-up in the tank, if the old fuel had trash in it this screen could plug, stopping the engine. After it sets the trash settles to the bottom of the tank alowwing the engine to restart, until the trash is stirred-up again.Take the fuel line loose and blow thru it back to the tank. If the engine will then start, trash in the tank is the problem. You might be able to pump the tank out thru the filler neck, and flush with clean fuel, but the best thing is to remove and clean the tank.... if possible.

 

[Brian R Clare]

Pumped Tank from the Top

As you know the tank is a "b...." to remove in the 272LE. I pumped mine out from the top using a hose that I could pick up from and drag around the bottom. I filled the tank to allow for plenty of suction time, amazing what was sucked out. Try it I think it might do the trick.Brian C.