Got many good suggestions from a previous posting about trouble getting the starter to engage, so I am hopeful that someone may have an answer/explanation for more my latest engine related mystery.
Saturday. was making for Cheaspeake City on the C&D from our slip on Middle River. For those familar with the Cheaspeake Bay north of Hart - Miller Island, coming from the Western Shore there are two ways north around Poole's Island on either its West or Eastern Side. On week days there is little choice as the Western side which should be shorter is off limits as its part of Aberdeen Proving Grounds range, however on weekends this area is open to sailors. I have never been up the west side route so we decided this was the day to do it. For the most part the course is wide with plenty of water however there is one tricky area where you need to come very close to the Island to squeek by a shoal.
That is were the problem occured. Being a rather green sailor, had both sails and the engine going, didn't want to lose steering if the wind dropped or came at me from the wrong way. Just as we got to the narrow spot the engine began to cough, missing and throwing up large amounts of smoke. None of the idot lights came on for oil pressure or overheat and having recently rebuilt the panel I know they all work at the moment. First I gave it more fuel it continued to miss then I put it into Neutral and slowed it then we tacked out of danger of grounding. I didn't want to cut it off but was getting afraid it might be damaged if I didn't. The engine is a YSB - 12 and has run flawlessly other than after I tried to feed it some water after a rough ride that stirred up the tank, which required my learning to bleed the system, and a problem with the starter which I am still working on. Just as I was going to kill it the engine smoothed out and then the smoke stopped. I let it run a while longer putting it back in gear after about 5 minutes start of problem to finish.
My best guess is something got by both filters and gave it indigestion but wondered if there could be any other problems. Fuel and tank look good but this is a very old rig so I realize there could be dirt anywhere in the system.
Had a rough ride back yesterday which should have stirred up the tank and found no water in the separator so it isn't the water problem again. Going back over tomorrow afternoon now that it has sat a while to make sure there isn't any water showing.
Ideas?
Saturday. was making for Cheaspeake City on the C&D from our slip on Middle River. For those familar with the Cheaspeake Bay north of Hart - Miller Island, coming from the Western Shore there are two ways north around Poole's Island on either its West or Eastern Side. On week days there is little choice as the Western side which should be shorter is off limits as its part of Aberdeen Proving Grounds range, however on weekends this area is open to sailors. I have never been up the west side route so we decided this was the day to do it. For the most part the course is wide with plenty of water however there is one tricky area where you need to come very close to the Island to squeek by a shoal.
That is were the problem occured. Being a rather green sailor, had both sails and the engine going, didn't want to lose steering if the wind dropped or came at me from the wrong way. Just as we got to the narrow spot the engine began to cough, missing and throwing up large amounts of smoke. None of the idot lights came on for oil pressure or overheat and having recently rebuilt the panel I know they all work at the moment. First I gave it more fuel it continued to miss then I put it into Neutral and slowed it then we tacked out of danger of grounding. I didn't want to cut it off but was getting afraid it might be damaged if I didn't. The engine is a YSB - 12 and has run flawlessly other than after I tried to feed it some water after a rough ride that stirred up the tank, which required my learning to bleed the system, and a problem with the starter which I am still working on. Just as I was going to kill it the engine smoothed out and then the smoke stopped. I let it run a while longer putting it back in gear after about 5 minutes start of problem to finish.
My best guess is something got by both filters and gave it indigestion but wondered if there could be any other problems. Fuel and tank look good but this is a very old rig so I realize there could be dirt anywhere in the system.
Had a rough ride back yesterday which should have stirred up the tank and found no water in the separator so it isn't the water problem again. Going back over tomorrow afternoon now that it has sat a while to make sure there isn't any water showing.
Ideas?
