Westerbeke dies after 30 minutes

[L and W]

The Westerbeke W10/Two in my '84 Hunter 27 is dying after 30-40 minutes of smooth running. I can let the engine rest for 10 minutes, then it starts right back up and runs great for 10 more minutes before dying again. I replaced the primary fuel filter and gaskets, drained the sediment bowl, refilled the filter container and bowl with clean diesel. I pulled off the injector fuel tubes to verify that fuel was spurting into the injectors. After doing all that, the engine started right up and ran great for 35 minutes, then died. Should I start back at the fuel tank and try to inspect/clean/replace every hose and fitting?Thanks!

 

[chet p]

dirty fule uptake

it is possible that the fuel intake line in the fuel tank mab be sucking junk off the bottom of the tank. some of the pick-up lines in the tanks have a strainer on the end of them and if it gets clogged it could take 30-35 minuted to completly shut off the fuel. after sitting for 10 minutes enough may drop off allowing it to again run for the same time. pull the fuel line pickup from the tank, look inside the tank and see if there is sluge in the tank and if the screen is blocked. if it is it is time to remove it, flush the tank and that should be the end of the problem.... just a thought

 

[Fred Krohn]

Westerbeke not running after 40 min

I had a similar problem on a previous boat and since I did not know the temperature guage was not working I didn't realize that the thermostate was frozen in the closed position and the engine was overheating.. Luckily the heads and everything else were not damaged with this overheating. But it took me a long time to figure out what was causing the engine to stall.

 

[THOMAS WIENER]

Westerbeke dies

It sounds to me that you have a problem withyour fuel tank.There must be an owerflow tubewhich akts also as a venting system.If cloggedthe consumed fuel cant be replaced with air,this creates vacum in the tank,the fuel supplyis then low an the engine dies.

 

[L and W]

Thanks to all, Chet P wins!

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Chet P was right on the money. I removed the fuel uptake hose and fitting from the tank. I then fished a small cone-shaped screen from the uptake hose. It was solid clogged with gunk. After putting everything back together, the engine ran with no problems, and we were able to go out on our maiden sail! I'll need to change the primary filter element more often for a while now, but at least we are in business!