I've started my sailing season (been out twice so far), but I have (again) engine trouble (I
have a 1980's Vetus M2.05 Diesel on my Vega 1060, probably replaced the Albin Petrol
engine). Specifically, it starts up great and runs great for quite a while (usually until the
sails are up and we turn it off). But then, if I need it again a half hour or so later, it will
only run for a while, then start slowing down and finally just cut off. Sometimes, I can keep
it alive a little longer by opening the throttle all the way, and it might even rev back to full
speed, but it becomes very hard to run it in any controlled manner. It usually starts right
back up, though, so I managed to keep the boat moving towards the slip with short bursts
of power, but that's no way to feel safe.
Before we left the slip, I noticed a puddle of diesel fuel right underneath the tank vent in
the starboard coaming. After coming back, I checked the fuel lines and found that the
return line is t-ed in with the vent line. So maybe there is some crud in the vent line which
creates an underpressure in the tank? I did check that I have enough fuel (7" out of 9"
possible height in my cylindrical copper tank), I treated the fuel with antifouling stuff, and
I have a new radcor filter (drained all the water out of it). But of course, it could be the
micro-filter directly on the engine or the fuel pump or... any suggestions/ideas?
- Sebastian
have a 1980's Vetus M2.05 Diesel on my Vega 1060, probably replaced the Albin Petrol
engine). Specifically, it starts up great and runs great for quite a while (usually until the
sails are up and we turn it off). But then, if I need it again a half hour or so later, it will
only run for a while, then start slowing down and finally just cut off. Sometimes, I can keep
it alive a little longer by opening the throttle all the way, and it might even rev back to full
speed, but it becomes very hard to run it in any controlled manner. It usually starts right
back up, though, so I managed to keep the boat moving towards the slip with short bursts
of power, but that's no way to feel safe.
Before we left the slip, I noticed a puddle of diesel fuel right underneath the tank vent in
the starboard coaming. After coming back, I checked the fuel lines and found that the
return line is t-ed in with the vent line. So maybe there is some crud in the vent line which
creates an underpressure in the tank? I did check that I have enough fuel (7" out of 9"
possible height in my cylindrical copper tank), I treated the fuel with antifouling stuff, and
I have a new radcor filter (drained all the water out of it). But of course, it could be the
micro-filter directly on the engine or the fuel pump or... any suggestions/ideas?
- Sebastian