[Public-List] diesel woes

Mon Aug 5 06:45:03 PDT 2019

Gordon,
As somone that has fixed several westerbekes... I have a couple of
thoughts.

1) Don't forget the small secondary filter attached to the engine, it
sometimes gets overlooked when changing filters.

2)  Most westerbekes have an electric fuel pump and on some of the later
models, it is wired to operate only when the oil pressure switch is closed
(ie engine running / cranking) or when the preheat button is depressed (on
some models).  These switches are cheaply made and can be intermittent
causing the issue you describe. Try bypassing the switch or pressing the
preheat button momentarily (if wired to the pump circuit) and see if the
RPMs pick back up.  I personally think its best to bypass the oil pressure
switch so the pump runs when the key is on. Bypassing also makes filter
changes much easier.

3) The bracket that the pump is mounted to is prone to harmonic vibration
on some models (30B particularly) can vibrate the wires lose or fatigue the
bracket until it breaks.  I would check the wiring and/or relocate the pump
if the bracket is cracked.  I mounted ours in the starboard cockpit locker.

Walter,
We have a 3 blade 12X10 DJ355 Mighigan Wheel propellor on our W18 with a
2.05 ratio.

Hope this helps,

Andrew

On Fri, Aug 2, 2019 at 5:38 PM Wehicks via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Sheldon can you tell me what the specs on your prop are for your Beta ?
> Some jerk stole my prop while it was on the Hard before I could try it.
> Thanks
> Walter.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Aug 2, 2019, at 1:45 PM, Don Campbell via Public-List <
> public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> > Gordon::
> >   There are only three things that make diesels run well, clean fuel,
> clean air and good pressure from the fuel pump. Diesel fuels are usually
> determined by the seller and where it gets cold, they automatically switch
> to more stove oil about the first of October so it won't freeze quite as
> easily. That fuel does not do so well in warm weather though.  I doubt if
> you would get that change in Maryland but you might with the crazy weather
> we are all getting. The filter in front of the injectors could be the
> problem and if your racors are separating the water out, at least you
> should see it and that is a problem not to consider. It could also be dirt
> in the fuel and pugged filters anyway. A long shot is an airlock in the
> fuel tank(s), so check the vent if there is one or the breathability of the
> fuel caps. A wasp or insect may have used that vent pipe for a nesting
> site. The obvious one to me is a plugged air filter if you have one and if
> not,  an air  intake that may be blocked. If th
>  ere is no air filter, is the passageway for air to the motor open or is
> everything shut to the engine compartment? Check the pump pressure and
> after that, carbon in the injectors from not running often enough, for long
> enough, at high RPMs. In my experience, diesels need to be run up to
> temperature and left there for some time when they run, and then cooled out
> before being  shut off. Getting in and out of moorings or marinas in short
> bursts often makes  for a short diesel engine life.
> >   There will be places that do injectors and pumps for highway and farm
> tractor diesels, so you don't have to go to marine services by default if
> the pump is the problem.
> > Don
> >
> > -----Original Message----- From: gordon white via Public-List
> > Sent: Friday, August 02, 2019 9:01 AM
> > To: public-list at lists.alberg30.org
> > Cc: gordon white
> > Subject: Re: [Public-List] diesel woes
> >
> >   Our Alberg, Brigadoon II, has a Westerbeke diesel, installed some
> > years ago by the prior owner. Usually it runs well, with occasional
> > issues with fuel that has sat in the tank(s) too long. In that case,
> > usually, the engine just stops until things are cleaned out. This time,
> > on a 3-day trip to Yorktown for the fireworks (no wind until we had tied
> > up at the marina there) the engine would suddenly slow down almost to a
> > stop, and occasionally it would stop. But usually after drastically
> > slowing it would come back to our usual RPM (2,100) and on we would go.
> >
> >    Thinking that one set of our parallel Racor filters was gummed up I
> > switched filters but eventually the engine would slow again almost to a
> > stop. We have two tanks, so I switched tanks. Same thing. Eventually
> > (after an hour or two) it would slow or stop, then resume regular RPM,
> > or stop and be re-started and go on. Last time it happened we were in a
> > dicey place entering our channel, but it re-started in time.
> >
> >    Having since been away on a road trip, I haven't done anything
> > about it except think.
> >
> >    Anyone have any ideas? Mine, at this point, is that as my switching
> > tanks and filters seemed not to cure the problem is that they are not
> > the issue. There is another small filter right at the injectors that I
> > could not, out there, readily switch, so that is my first job this week.
> >
> >    But why it drastically slowed then regained full speed for an hour
> > or two does puzzle me.  Unless there is something floating in the system
> > that occasionally plugs it up, then falls away -
> >
> >    Anyway - anyway, does anyone have any ideas?
> >
> > thanks
> >
> > - Gordon White (Deltaville, Virginia)
> >
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