Forward Hatch

Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Hi GH,
It's the difference between "deferred maintenance" (neglect) and a
regular maintenance schedule to prevent trouble before it happens. You
can bet the 18-wheelers know which is cheaper: regular servicing or down
time because of equipment failures.

Things like fuel filters need changing at least once a year, and always
change both. If you're not adding a biocide to your tank it doesn't take
long for trouble to start, especially in a boat. Some of that fuel has
been in there since your tank was last drained, cleaned, and refilled.
Three years is a long time.

Another possible cause of trouble is an air leak somewhere in one of the
lines. From the symptoms you give it sure sounds like fuel starvation to
me.

Peter

www.sintacha.com HugeDomains.com - SinTacha.com is for sale (Sin Tacha)

HugeDomains.com - SinTacha.com is for sale (Sin Tacha)
 
Sep 24, 2008
346
There are several good biocides - a good diesel shop can advise. Remember
though the tank has to be clean first with clean fuel. If not the biocide
will only add to your troubles as it kills the algae and it ends up in the
filters.
 
Oct 30, 2019
1,459
Biocide comes in the "preventive" category, maybe Google it to find a brand that'll be available locally.
Clean fuel and tank come first. Good Old Boat magazine has an article on how to make a fuel polisher/cleaner system in their Sept/Oct issue.

Peter
www.sintacha.com
 
May 30, 2006
1,075
I had another thought.
I had this happen once when i first purchased the boat. Changed filters. Cleaned tank. That little screen was choked with black stuff.

I also was only sailing shorter distances. I decided to only purchase my diesel from a nearby large busy truck stop.

Never had another problem. And have motored through 5-6 foot waves for extended periods.

When i left baltimore, i had two 5 gal jerry cans plus the tank to fill.

End of the summer, the marina around the corner has been filling up those giant power boats all season. Its probably fresh.

Go 40 miles. Hit some 5 footers. Bang. Now its a problem.

Im wondering if the marine diesel is stale already at the distributor. And therefore more problems for boaters.
 
Jul 18, 2002
41
I had issues like this. Besides the filters, I drained and removed the
tank and cleaned it. The engine has been running smoothly ever since.