Engine cut off

[Allan Emas]

I have been sailing my Hunter 38 for the past 3 years. I do regular maintenance and have had some great sailing trips. Recently off Pt Dume, CA I clogged a fuel filter. The filter was changed out and ran great. Months later I clogged another filter this time I was a bit surprised. The filter was visibly clean no dirt, grime or water. Changed it out and the engine would choke out at 2700 to 3000 rpms if I back off to 1500 to 1800 it runs fine. All fiters have been changed, no seepage at the lift pump, removed the fuel line and blew back into the tank to verify flow pick up.

Any suggestions?

Thanx for any help.

 

[Franklin]

Possibly you are drawing air someplace. Fuel problems are either clogged filter or line or injectors or you are drawing air someplace before the pump in the line.

Don't forget to check the air filter too.

 

[Dennis W.]

Allan, Not sure that I'm clear on your description of the symptom (choke out). Are you getting black smoke at 2700 to 3000 rpm's, or fluctuating rpm's?

 

[Bill Roosa]

Rough sailing prior to clog

many filters clog due to the sediment being stirred up during a rough passage. They will stay clean for years and then a good sloshing will clog it rapidly for no apparent reason.
Could this be the problem?

Good luck

 

[Don12364]

Maybe its not the filter?

If the reason for previous filter clogs was the dreaded fuel bug then it is quite possible that the fuel feed pipe from the tank is also blocked. You would recognise the presence of the bug from the black or brown buttery like substance in the filter housing.
I had this - also twice - and needed to remove the pipe from the boat and blow it out with an air line. I still had a blockage and it turned out it was in the right angle bend INSIDE the Racor filter. The diameter reduces to less than 1/4" and this needed blowing out too.

 

[Alan]

Subsequent filters remaining clean...

..is an indication of the screen in the tank becoming clogged and preventing a sufficient fuel flow for higher RPM's but allowing the engine to run 'normally' at lower RPM's where a lower fuel flow would be able to maintain operation.
I recommend you check the fuel tank and pick-up screen. I'll bet this is the core of your problem.