Bad start to new year.

[FLIRKER]

Hi

Please can anybody help.

I have a 34 ex broads hire cruiser which we were out on over the weekend and did not have a good start to the new year. We started her up and it was running fine but when we tried to pull away the engine just stalled, this happened a number of times before eventually starting to move but only very slowly even though the engine's revving OK. We were able to get back to our mooring but only very slowly and it still stalls sometimes when trying to reverse and there is also a strange vibration.

I know this is not allot to go on and it may be a number of things
but just wondered if it could be something obvious. This is our first boat and have only had her for about 6 months so I am a bit of a novice.

Thanks in advance
Al

 

[duncan]

my best guess would be a fouled propellor from the symptoms, or a seized shaft? - but a bit concerned about the engine stalling but reving OK; can you explain that apparant contradiction a little better?

btw welcome to the forum.

 

[BigLes]

I know it sounds obvious - but did you turn the fuel on? Also have you checked your fuel filter(s)? Sounds like fuel starvation to me.

 

[aitchw]

Al, is the engine diesel or petrol? Is there an unusual amount of smoke when running? Is there any emulsification of the oil in the sump? Is the transmission hydraulic or mechanical? Can you check for prop damage of fouling?

 

[Gaff_rigged]

I'm not a diesel expert..... but I've experienced some diesel problems, like many boat users.

This sounds remarkably like what happens when someone blocks your car exhaust with a potato.... the back pressure causes the engine to cut-out when under load... although it will happily rev-up when unloaded, that is, when in neutral.

( My experience of this, is with petrol engines, but maybe it could happen also with diesels ? )

It might be worthwhile to check your exhaust for blockage ... the inner wall of rubber exhausts have been known to collapse...

I would also check the primary & secondary fuel filter(s), for water & sediment contamination.

Is this your first use of the engine after a recent fuel fill ? If so, you
may perhaps have received contaminated fuel.

Good luck with your problems, and please let us know what the eventual cause(s) were.

 

[FLIRKER]

Thanks for the welcome and for all your quick responses. I will check your suggestions later and let you know if I have any Joy.

I did think a fouled prop but I cant check myself unless I get my trunks on. But its strange it was fine the day before. The only other thing is I did screw down the greaser that morning but dont see how that could cause a problem.

Just to clear up a couple of your questions, When I said it was revving OK this is when in neutral and when we finally got moving although very slowly. Its diesel, the fuel was on and its recently had new filters and there is no unusual smoke.

Thanks again
Al

 

[duncan]

could 'screwing down the greaser' in some way put drag on the shaft? (sorry if this is daft but I don't have shafts!)

 

[Anonymous]

Chances are it's a fouled prop - maybe a mooring rope was hanging over the back of the boat, or someone else's was in the water. It could be fuel starvation but if she's revving freely albeit in neutral, that is less likely. The reported vibration and the difference between operating forward or astern make it almost certainly a fouled prop. You'll need to put your trunks on..brrrrrrr.!! By the way, welcome to the forum!

David

 

[oldharry]

Nothing strange about a suddenly fouled prop. A length of rope, rubbish etc drifting into it overnight, start up and hey presto! totally fouled prop with exactly the symptoms you describe. It really does not take much to lock it up altogether, so that the engine stalls as soon as you attempt to go into gear.

If you can access the inboard end of the shaft, try turning it by hand then with a mole wrench for extra leverage. (engine switched off and gears neutral of course!). If it is jammed up then it is almost certainly something round the prop, and you either go swimming (no brass monkies around I hope!), have the boat slipped (expensive!) or pay a friendly diver to go and have a look.(Depends how friendly!)

 

[supermalc]

My friend has an old broads cruiser, and there is a weed hatch in the rear, to allow access. On his it is a metal box with a lid held in place by lots of wing nuts. If you have it will save you getting wet, and make it easy to check for a fouled prop.

Running in reverse while moored can get rid of weed fouling, although plastic bags and rope usually require the 'hands on' approach.