[Alberg30] fuel starved ?

[George Dinwiddie]

Keep in mind that low power and stalling can be caused by other
things than fuel problems.  I've heard of engines where the 
plug wires were in the wrong order and they would run, but
stall out under load.  Checking the firing order and the quality
of the spark at each plug is easier than checking fuel problems,
so I would take a quick look at that.

Water in the fuel is another relatively easy thing to check.  
Drain the fuel filter(s) into a glass jar and see how much
water you get.  If it's all one color, check that it is indeed
gas and not all water; I've seen it happen.  Also check the fuel
for dirt (use a clean glass jar); old fuel lines can start flaking
little bits of rubber.

Do you have a primary fuel filter?  (If not, I highly recommend
adding one.)  If you do and the filter isn't new this year, I'd
replace it and see what happens.  I've been using the same filter
element for a number of years, now, but I had to sail into Kent
Narrows (through the old twisty dredged channel) once due to a
clogged filter as I reached the bottom of the winter tank of gas.

I suggest these things first because they're easier.  Cleaning
the carb is the next likely step.  It's not hard, just a little 
more work than mentioned above.  In fact, if you find dirt in
the fuel you'll probably want to replace the hose AND clean the
carb.

 - George

> SwiftLaw at aol.com said:
> 
> My fellow Alberg sailors, My 1966 Atomic 4 and I set sail down the Chicago 
> River and waited for all 13 bridges to go up in order to gain access to the 
> lake. At bridge 13 the engine failed. 
> Sounded a lot like it couldn't get fuel. In neutral it would limp along but 
> in gear just sputtered and stalled. Intermittent but treacherous. 
> Today after cleaning the plugs I set out for a harbor tour with the engine 
> only. All was fine until I made a sharp turn and the engine spluttered again. 
> Ran OK again until another sharp turn then the same deal.  
> 
> Any ideas, ( other than install a Yanmar !). Water separator, bad fuel, fuel 
> filter ??

-- 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  George Dinwiddie                             gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
  The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span those hours spent in
  sailing.                                    http://www.Alberg30.org/
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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