[Public-List] diesel woes

[Eric Ertley]

Recently discovered why my Phasor/Kubota was acting the same as you describe.  My friend helping me diagnose the issue found a small air leak in the second racor/ fitting.  By passed that leak and the engine runs like new (which it is via hours 70).  All smiles now - and not sailing back in to our marina.  He saw small bubbles as we bled the fuel.
Eric

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 5, 2019, at 9:45 AM, Andrew Johns via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> 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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