Fellow Sailors. My Westerbeke W20B would not start yesterday. I did the obvious and changed out the Racor and made sure the air was out of the device. I checked the ball valve on the tank side of the filter. All good. Fuel is clean. Engine would not start. Today I changed the secondary filter on the engine and made sure the lift pump was pushing fuel to it before closing the secondary filter housing. Prior to replacing the secondary filter the lift pump was "clacking" for lack of a better description. That is not the standard sound for that pump. After replacing the secondary filter the "clacking" subsided and I thought I had solved the problem. I tried to start the engine and still nothing. Like an idiot I forgot to re-open the fuel valve at the tank. After re-opening the valve the "clacking" returned to the lift pump. The engine never started. I don't know if the changing sounds of the lift pump even matter, but they are symptoms.
At this point it appears the fuel is at least getting past the secondary filter. Westerbeke advertises this engine as self bleeding and it really is. I was self bleeding it for half and hour today to no avail. I am hoping someone has seen this before and has a suggestion or other wisdom. I know if I call a mechanic it will be a four figure bill right out of the gate. Thanks very much.
At this point it appears the fuel is at least getting past the secondary filter. Westerbeke advertises this engine as self bleeding and it really is. I was self bleeding it for half and hour today to no avail. I am hoping someone has seen this before and has a suggestion or other wisdom. I know if I call a mechanic it will be a four figure bill right out of the gate. Thanks very much.