Engine runaway

May 30, 2014
27
Catalina 310 Apollo Beach
Had an engine runaway on our way back from St Pete to Apollo Beach (12 miles). Had no idea what to do. The Admiral put the tranny in reverse, which shut down the engine. Found out that the raw water pump gasket failed and put water in the engine. Replaced the pump and could not start the engine. Pulled the injector pump and one was frozen. My mechanic says that there is a spring that needs to be replaced. Westerbeke does not sell the spring. The pump is over $1500. Does anyone know of a source for the "spring"? If not, do I replace the engine? Still do not know if the runaway caused any further damage to the engine.
Eric
 
May 30, 2014
27
Catalina 310 Apollo Beach
It is the xpb. I will give the mechanic the info.I do not know of a local dealer, but I will check.
 
Nov 18, 2010
2,441
Catalina 310 Hingham, MA
If you ever have a runaway cut off the air. Never had one on my boat but I was on a friends Hunter that had one (not bashing Hunters). I removed the air filter and covered the intake with a bottle of oil. It had a flat plastic face bigger than the intake. Killed the motor pretty quick.

Sorry but I don't have an answer on the spring.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,050
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
The Florida dealer is across the state.
OK, too bad, but they may help with a phone call.

Also, IIRC, those M25XPBs are Kubota blocks, right? You're in FL. They have tractor dealers, too, right? Someone here on the C310 forum most likely knows the Kubota block #.
 
Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
Had an engine runaway on our way back from St Pete to Apollo Beach (12 miles). Had no idea what to do. The Admiral put the tranny in reverse, which shut down the engine. Found out that the raw water pump gasket failed and put water in the engine. Replaced the pump and could not start the engine. Pulled the injector pump and one was frozen. My mechanic says that there is a spring that needs to be replaced. Westerbeke does not sell the spring. The pump is over $1500. Does anyone know of a source for the "spring"? If not, do I replace the engine? Still do not know if the runaway caused any further damage to the engine.
Eric
Wow. Doesn't the boat have an emergency fuel shut-off valve? Ours has an in-line valve accessible from outside the engine compartment. Would one work with this kind of runaway?
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,050
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Wow. Doesn't the boat have an emergency fuel shut-off valve? Ours has an in-line valve accessible from outside the engine compartment. Would one work with this kind of runaway?
Yup, two things diesels need to run: air and fuel. Cut off one or the other and....:doh:

Universals have fuel cutoffs, but runaway means that even with the fuel shut off the damn thing keeps running on what's in the cylinders.

That's why cutting off the air is the only thing left.

We have a few pieces of thick stuff at hand always, just in case. Glad never had to use 'em. Jesse's solution was quick thinking.
 
May 30, 2014
27
Catalina 310 Apollo Beach
Wow. Doesn't the boat have an emergency fuel shut-off valve? Ours has an in-line valve accessible from outside the engine compartment. Would one work with this kind of runaway?
It was the oil feeding the engine. The fuel shut off did nothing but shut off the cylinders not getting the oil.
shutting off the air is the only smart way to kill it. I can tell you that you have to plan on this now. When it happens, it is too late.
Eric
 
Jul 27, 2011
5,134
Bavaria 38E Alamitos Bay
It was the oil feeding the engine. The fuel shut off did nothing but shut off the cylinders not getting the oil.
shutting off the air is the only smart way to kill it. I can tell you that you have to plan on this now. When it happens, it is too late.
Eric
I suppose that even with the fuel-feed shut off the thing might run until the fuel filter(s) emptied. There are several minutes of running time of fuel in the fuel filter(s). [My shut-off valve is UP-STREAM of both fuel filters.] Shutting off the air should stop it right away--good idea! But how could the oil feed the cylinders? Basic leakage around the piston rings?
 

Clydo

.
May 28, 2013
363
Catalina C310 SF Bay/Delta
Had an engine runaway on our way back from St Pete to Apollo Beach (12 miles). Had no idea what to do. The Admiral put the tranny in reverse, which shut down the engine. Found out that the raw water pump gasket failed and put water in the engine. Replaced the pump and could not start the engine. Pulled the injector pump and one was frozen. My mechanic says that there is a spring that needs to be replaced. Westerbeke does not sell the spring. The pump is over $1500. Does anyone know of a source for the "spring"? If not, do I replace the engine? Still do not know if the runaway caused any further damage to the engine.
Eric

Wild eyed thought but might try truck diesel eng repair if any in your
area. They might work on small injector pumps or know someone who
does. Am not an engine mech or close to it but if eng running when
shut off in reverse and no loud or strange noises would think internal
parts ok? Drain oil and replace several times until get rid of water would be
start. When you say engine does not start did it turn over ok?
Did you replace seal so no more water in eng?


Clyde Thorington
C310 # 245
ILEAN TOO
San Jose, CA
 

pk104

.
Jun 30, 2009
208
Catalina 310 Atwood Lake
I believe the Kubota match might be D1005 but my book is unfortunately on my boat. If you can't find a dealer I can give you a name in Ohio to call. It won't be $1500 I am sure.

Email me if needed.

Gary
 
Nov 18, 2010
2,441
Catalina 310 Hingham, MA
I believe the Kubota match might be D1005 but my book is unfortunately on my boat. If you can't find a dealer I can give you a name in Ohio to call. It won't be $1500 I am sure. Email me if needed. Gary
Yes that is the Kubota block.
 
Oct 25, 2011
576
Island Packet IP31 Lake St. Louis, Montreal
Yup, two things diesels need to run: air and fuel. Cut off one or the other and....:doh:

Universals have fuel cutoffs, but runaway means that even with the fuel shut off the damn thing keeps running on what's in the cylinders.

That's why cutting off the air is the only thing left.

We have a few pieces of thick stuff at hand always, just in case. Glad never had to use 'em. Jesse's solution was quick thinking.
OK, ignorant question. Could you not flip open the decompression levers and stop the engine that way? No compression = no ignition.

Just wondering

Thanks

Matt
 
Jan 22, 2008
214
Catalina 310 #147 Oakville Yacht Squadron
OK, ignorant question. Could you not flip open the decompression levers and stop the engine that way? No compression = no ignition. Just wondering Thanks Matt
The manuals say not to use decompression lever to stop the engine. Not sure if that is for wear on the mechanism it to keep from burning the valves or what.
Might be safer to burn the valves vs toss or stretch a rod.
I trust it goes without saying NOT to use your hand!!
 
May 30, 2014
27
Catalina 310 Apollo Beach
Wow. Doesn't the boat have an emergency fuel shut-off valve? Ours has an in-line valve accessible from outside the engine compartment. Would one work with this kind of runaway?
The only way to shut down the engine is to shut off the air supply. The engine was running off engine oil, not diesel, so a fuel shut off valve will not work. I am told that a plastic bag is the best solution. Covering the air intake will shut down the engine. I hope I never have to try this.
Eric
 
May 30, 2014
27
Catalina 310 Apollo Beach
The engine turns over fine. Sounds like it wants to start. The raw water pump has been replaced. The mechanic says that until we get the engine running, we will not know if everything else is OK.