I can't get the marine diesel engine (3 cylinder Westerbeke/Universal 25 HP) on my sailboat to keep running. When cold, it starts ok and runs for about 1 - 2 minutes, then sputters and shuts off. It runs a little longer at low RPM than high RPM. After this short run and sputtering off, the engine won't start again, it just sputters with the assistance of the starter. After the engine has sat a while, 20 minutes or so, the same thing happens again. The starter cranks the engine over just fine. I've thoroughly checked the fuel system and it seems to work ok. I have done the following: Replaced the Raycor prefilter coming out of the fuel tank (the fuel looked clean but I replaced it anyway) Replaced the fuel lift pump (the "old" one was only about 3 years old, looked like new and seemed to pump just fine) When the glow plug button is pressed, one can hear the fuel lift pump working, just like on the original. Replaced the fuel filter between the fuel lift pump and the injector pump Bled the air (the system is supposed to be self bleeding, but I hot wired the lifter pump and manually bled anyway at the fuel filter between the lift pump and injector pump) Pulled off lines between injector pump and injectors and observed fuel coming out of injector pump, no air bubbles. Opened up the injectors and cleaned the jets - they were a little sooty, but not overly so. I hot wired the lifter pump and heard fuel flowing through the overflow lines at the top of the injectors and dropping back into the fuel tank, as normal. I have a vacuum gage between the Raycor filter and the fuel lift pump, and the gage shows 0 psi, no problem there. What is the problem? The engine was very reliable till the onset of this problem from one outing to the next. I can't think of ANYTHING we did between outings that should cause this. Is there a thermostat or something else somewhere that is shutting down the system? If so, what is it and where is it on this engine? The engine runs for such a short time that it is still cold to the touch. HELP!!!
Oday 35 engine problems
- Thread starter stowe18
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A wild guess.
If the vent line to the fuel tank is blocked it could be building up vacuum in the tank and preventing enough fuel being delivered. You might try checking that vent or running without the fuel cap in place. I wouldn't think that could be a problem after 2 minutes but just throwing it out there. I guess that would show on the vacuum gage though so ... never mind.
If the vent line to the fuel tank is blocked it could be building up vacuum in the tank and preventing enough fuel being delivered. You might try checking that vent or running without the fuel cap in place. I wouldn't think that could be a problem after 2 minutes but just throwing it out there. I guess that would show on the vacuum gage though so ... never mind.
Pick up tube was clogged back when we were trying to save the old tank; We changed the whole thing out and used a Moeller 19 gal which is plenty enough for my little 16 hp. We changed everything fuel related. even the return line.
Has this been fixed?
I like RAD's suggestion. It eliminates the vent line, fuel line and fuel pick up from the system.
I like RAD's suggestion. It eliminates the vent line, fuel line and fuel pick up from the system.
- Dec 30, 2009
- 680
Some 12 years back my friend had exact same issues with sabre 34, with a westerbeake engine, never did find the problem, although his would run longer, and would stall and not start till it cooled a little, I also like RADS suggestion, great place to start, it will elimate a lot rite off.... Red
37CC M40BC. FWIW mechanic found an obstruction (flap) at the end of the fuel line in the fuel tank which was allowing fuel flow at low RPM but restricted it as fuel flow increased at high RPM. He was doing work on the fuel gauge when he discovered it.
Hello all.. I wound up replacing the oil sender and the oil pressure switch- and that did nothing. Had a mechanic come (i was out of ideas) and he was just about to rip apart the engine after about 2 hours of scrounging around.. I had one more idea before he did that. Look at the vacuum gauge. That was the problem. It was leaking air into the fuel supply. So I took it off and stuck a screwdriver into the hose and engine started. Works fine! I guess a lot of maintenance work was done in the process.. Thanks for all the suggestions!!
Just goes to show you, it's always something.
Glad that you got it fixed, thanks for the feed back.
Glad that you got it fixed, thanks for the feed back.
Was the gauge leaking or was it leaking through the threads where the gage is installed? I have seen gauges fail in the past and cause leaks, poor assembly of the bourdon tube brazing can cause a leak. Just curious about failure mode. I don't have a gauge in my system and was considering it but as you found it introduces another failure mode. A Racor 500MA is a huge filter for my system and with my planned fuel maintenance schedule I doubt I'll need a gauge.
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