hard starting

[John R]

A few months ago I posted about having found some algae in my (diesel) fuel. I got rid of the fuel and changed the primary fuel filter. Since that time, the engine (Universal M35-B) has been hard starting. Until then, all I'd have to do was to hit the starter button and it would fire up in just two or three seconds. Now, I have to advance the throttle for it to start. The sediment bowl under the primary filter is clean - no evidence of either water or algae.

Suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[AXEL]

I always advance the throttle when starting my Westerbeke 21. It even says so in the manual. Have you checked secondary fuel filters on the engine? Are the glow plugs working? Whens the last time you had the ejectors rebuilt or replaced?

 

[John R]

will change

I always advance the throttle when starting my Westerbeke 21. It even says so in the manual. Have you checked secondary fuel filters on the engine? Are the glow plugs working? Whens the last time you had the ejectors rebuilt or replaced?

I guess I should change the secondary filter also. On this motor, I don't have to heat up the glow plug first, but in any case it seems to me that the problem must be related to the previous issues as it started immediately after those issues. (Engine has about 900 hours on it, by the way.)

 

[kloudie1]

Usually when this happens after a filter change, it is due to a very small air leak between the lift pump and the fuel tank .. most likely a small crimp or defect in the filter bowl gasket or a disturbed inlet or outlet fitting on the filter where the tubing hooks up. A very small leak that won't let fuel out but will let air in.. make sure fittings, hoses and the bowl gasket are all tight and good.. from the lift pump back to the tank.

 

[Chris Patterson]

All good, and I'd definitely change that secondary.

 

[Deadline]

Cold weather?

I can't tell which Emerville you live in, but if it's cold this time of year it can be difficult to turn the engine. I put a hairdryer up the horn of my Yanmar 18 to warm up the oil when it's cold. Starts like a champ every time.

 

[John R]

Emeryville, CA, in the SF Bay. Definitely not cold here, especially not by E. Coast standards.

 

[Chris Patterson]

Also, have you checked your pump pressures? Could be your lift pump has lost the will to live.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Also, have you checked your pump pressures? Could be your lift pump has lost the will to live.

Or the filter is dirty (check the C36 'board for a link to Catalina Direct's tech pages) or it hasn't been re-plumbed to be after the primary fuel filter.

 

[Paul Mermelstein]

Address the simplest and most typical issues first, especially after changing the primary filter: 1) air leaks in the primary and attached hoses, and 2) secondary filter, as has been said.

 

[John R]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was on the boat the other day, and it magically started up with no problems. I have no idea what was the previous issue. (I did change the secondary filter, but the problem had gone away before that.)