I have experienced a loss of power on several occasions at first I thought my fuel filters were clogged and the first time that may have been the case. I then had a tank cleaning service come and totally clean the tank by circulating fuel and jetting it back in under pressure to get all the bio slime and grit into suspension. The first time the loss of power happened I was running about 2600rpm. The engine quit but I was able to start it right a way a run at around 2200rpm to get back to port. I changed the filter and had the tank cleaned. The next time it happened was about only 10 hrs of running time on the new filters. This time the loss of power was gradual dropping from 2600 down to about 1500rpm over about an hour and finally quitting. I could start the engine but it would cut out after about 10 seconds. I do not believe the filters are clogged. I do not believe but can not say for sure if the intake tube in the tank is clogged. Could it be a bad fuel pump? Given the described symptoms does anyone have a suggestion. I am trying to learn to fix this stuff my self for when we go offshore. Thanks
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
B
Bill O'Donovan
Mixing elbow
It's not clear what size boat or make of engine, but it sounds like your mixing elbow is clogged up. These have to be replaced every 3-5 years depending on how much one runs the engine. The elbow gets jammed up with soot and rust, making an impenetrable blockage that prelcudes cleaning. With Hunters, this happens so frequently that marina stores routinely keep new ones in stock for around $130. They are no fun to install, but the result is breathtaking literally as well as figuratively. For more on mixing elbows, consult the Archives and go back a few years. You'll find dozens of posts that will be helpful. One fellow very kindly included photos, though not of his bruised knuckles.
It's not clear what size boat or make of engine, but it sounds like your mixing elbow is clogged up. These have to be replaced every 3-5 years depending on how much one runs the engine. The elbow gets jammed up with soot and rust, making an impenetrable blockage that prelcudes cleaning. With Hunters, this happens so frequently that marina stores routinely keep new ones in stock for around $130. They are no fun to install, but the result is breathtaking literally as well as figuratively. For more on mixing elbows, consult the Archives and go back a few years. You'll find dozens of posts that will be helpful. One fellow very kindly included photos, though not of his bruised knuckles.
C
Chuck Reed
Fuel filter
Both your fuel pick up tube and the electric fuel pump could have a filter in them, that could be pluged. Good Luck
Both your fuel pick up tube and the electric fuel pump could have a filter in them, that could be pluged. Good Luck
Fuel pickup tube.
There could be several things here but the filters are you first place to check. Pull the fuel pickup tube out. Check the end of the tube. This sometimes has a screen (primary-primary filter) on it. I would either completely remove the screen or clean it throughly and replace it. Then try running the boat in gear at the dock and see how that works. If you are still having problems I would change your filters one more time. Then you can have your fuel pump checked. I sort of doubt that this is your problem. If you were running for several hours I do not think that this is the problem (but it could be). PS: When you get this free advice, you are required to get back to us with a fix-it report!
There could be several things here but the filters are you first place to check. Pull the fuel pickup tube out. Check the end of the tube. This sometimes has a screen (primary-primary filter) on it. I would either completely remove the screen or clean it throughly and replace it. Then try running the boat in gear at the dock and see how that works. If you are still having problems I would change your filters one more time. Then you can have your fuel pump checked. I sort of doubt that this is your problem. If you were running for several hours I do not think that this is the problem (but it could be). PS: When you get this free advice, you are required to get back to us with a fix-it report!
D
Don Alexander
Fuel Bug?
You don't say whether you have had a case of fuel bug or not. I have had it twice, both times from tanks which had been topped up only a short time before they supplied the fuel. Interestingly both suppliers were on barges which, presumably had water leaking into their tanks. So, not only did they hazard the safety of my yacht and crew, but I also bought water at diesel prices! Now I use 'Fuel Set' every time I fill up. In my case the fuel line was completely clogged so changing the filter was not enough. After cleaning the line perfectly I still discovered a plug of bug in the Racor filter inlet port. The inlet hole goes through a right angle and is less then 1/4" in diameter at this point. When I got everything cleaned up the engine performance was completely restored. Best of luck,
You don't say whether you have had a case of fuel bug or not. I have had it twice, both times from tanks which had been topped up only a short time before they supplied the fuel. Interestingly both suppliers were on barges which, presumably had water leaking into their tanks. So, not only did they hazard the safety of my yacht and crew, but I also bought water at diesel prices! Now I use 'Fuel Set' every time I fill up. In my case the fuel line was completely clogged so changing the filter was not enough. After cleaning the line perfectly I still discovered a plug of bug in the Racor filter inlet port. The inlet hole goes through a right angle and is less then 1/4" in diameter at this point. When I got everything cleaned up the engine performance was completely restored. Best of luck,
A
Alan Kibbe
You can also check
to be sure that the fuel tank vent tube isn't obstructed. If air can't get into the fuel tank, the fuel can't get out.
to be sure that the fuel tank vent tube isn't obstructed. If air can't get into the fuel tank, the fuel can't get out.
C
carisea
thanks to loss of power advice
I neglected to say it was a 1992 passage 42 I had called the previous owner and he said it had been 5 or 6 years since he last had the tank cleaned. I have a feeling after I had it cleaned so much crap was stirred up not all of it went through the filtering process the tank cleaning service used and some may have found its way to the tube or the hoses. I will start there. Thanks and I will let you know what I find.
I neglected to say it was a 1992 passage 42 I had called the previous owner and he said it had been 5 or 6 years since he last had the tank cleaned. I have a feeling after I had it cleaned so much crap was stirred up not all of it went through the filtering process the tank cleaning service used and some may have found its way to the tube or the hoses. I will start there. Thanks and I will let you know what I find.
J
Joe Barrett
Fuel Pump
I had similar problems on my O'Day272 and replaced just about everything before discovering it was the fuel punp. At first it would only quit when I was low on fuel as it had to work harder, then it started quitting whenever it wanted to. After we replaced the fuel pump I never had another problem.
I had similar problems on my O'Day272 and replaced just about everything before discovering it was the fuel punp. At first it would only quit when I was low on fuel as it had to work harder, then it started quitting whenever it wanted to. After we replaced the fuel pump I never had another problem.
You may want to change out the fuel hose too.
This would be a good excuse to just change out all the fuel hose too. We have NEVER cleaned our fuel tank in 15 years. We keep biocide in the fuel (most of the time) and clean the filter on a semi regular basis (once every year or two). Another thing that works well to clean your entire fuel system is Bio-diesel. This is probably one of the best methods of cleaning out the tank and the system. You can use it in you fuel as an additive or run it as a straight fuel. Not cheap be either is fuel polishing.
This would be a good excuse to just change out all the fuel hose too. We have NEVER cleaned our fuel tank in 15 years. We keep biocide in the fuel (most of the time) and clean the filter on a semi regular basis (once every year or two). Another thing that works well to clean your entire fuel system is Bio-diesel. This is probably one of the best methods of cleaning out the tank and the system. You can use it in you fuel as an additive or run it as a straight fuel. Not cheap be either is fuel polishing.
J
John K Kudera
There are three
Things you need for the engine to run, Fuel compression and air. The engine runs, so some fuel is available. There must be compression, so how about air? If the exhaust elbow has not been changed, that may be the answer. Yes it is a pain to remove, but, I would remove it to be sure it is clean and free flowing. That too will cause the problem you are having, especially if your fuel system is OK. Good luck!
Things you need for the engine to run, Fuel compression and air. The engine runs, so some fuel is available. There must be compression, so how about air? If the exhaust elbow has not been changed, that may be the answer. Yes it is a pain to remove, but, I would remove it to be sure it is clean and free flowing. That too will cause the problem you are having, especially if your fuel system is OK. Good luck!
J
james rohr
This definately sounds like dirty fuel!
If your tank was'nt completely flushed and clean you will probably have this problem for a long time. Mine had a similar problem when i bought the boat. it continued until i removed the tank, took it home and cleaned it with gasoline to remove the varnish and crap that had acc. over the years in the tank. Havn't had any more problems with it in 10 yrs. the first year of owning the boat I was changing secondary filter every 2 weeks. The problem could also be in the pick up in the tank. Good luck.
If your tank was'nt completely flushed and clean you will probably have this problem for a long time. Mine had a similar problem when i bought the boat. it continued until i removed the tank, took it home and cleaned it with gasoline to remove the varnish and crap that had acc. over the years in the tank. Havn't had any more problems with it in 10 yrs. the first year of owning the boat I was changing secondary filter every 2 weeks. The problem could also be in the pick up in the tank. Good luck.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.