Graham376
Well-known member
Engine stop solenoids can sometimes become sticky and we had one of our launch Betas with one seized in stop position.. Although unlikely, maybe worth a check.
Beta 35 won't rev, hunts just over tickover.
- Thread starter GHA
- Start date
GHA
Well-known member
This time!! 
So plenty clean diesel getting to injector pump, tank can breathe fine... took off the return pipe & luckily have a compressor onboard, blocked solid!
And..... put back together as normal, ran for a bit then it conked out plus couldn't get it primed using the manual lever on the lift pump. Put the facet type pump back in line and gave it a good fast run out of the anchorage and back, revved fine & sounded right. Fingers crossed
So return pipe itself somehow has a blockage, luckily when installing the day tank there were a few options so used a spare pipe for return. But lift pump might well be dying somehow. Looks like we're in action though for now. time for a big cleanup, stinks of diesel in here....
Thanks for suggestions.
So plenty clean diesel getting to injector pump, tank can breathe fine... took off the return pipe & luckily have a compressor onboard, blocked solid!
And..... put back together as normal, ran for a bit then it conked out plus couldn't get it primed using the manual lever on the lift pump. Put the facet type pump back in line and gave it a good fast run out of the anchorage and back, revved fine & sounded right. Fingers crossed
So return pipe itself somehow has a blockage, luckily when installing the day tank there were a few options so used a spare pipe for return. But lift pump might well be dying somehow. Looks like we're in action though for now. time for a big cleanup, stinks of diesel in here....
Thanks for suggestions.
VicS
Well-known member
Maybe was on the toe of the cam ? If so one full revolution of the engine by hand should put in on the heel.This time!!
So plenty clean diesel getting to injector pump, tank can breathe fine... took off the return pipe & luckily have a compressor onboard, blocked solid!
And..... put back together as normal, ran for a bit then it conked out plus couldn't get it primed using the manual lever on the lift pump. Put the facet type pump back in line and gave it a good fast run out of the anchorage and back, revved fine & sounded right. Fingers crossed
So return pipe itself somehow has a blockage, luckily when installing the day tank there were a few options so used a spare pipe for return. But lift pump might well be dying somehow. Looks like we're in action though for now. time for a big cleanup, stinks of diesel in here....
Thanks for suggestions.
GHA
Well-known member
Tried that, plus conked out with just the lift pump, seems ok with the electric one. Will fit a new one anyway, would running against constant pressure of a blockage damage a kubotu/beta lift pump? Took it off but seems like a sealed unit.
Beneteau381
Well-known member
Depends on how the system is set up as to if blockage would damage the lift pump. Would be interesting as to what the blockage is.
greeny
Well-known member
Getting a bit into my territory now. Dead heading a mechanically driven diaphragm pump will mean the liquid has nowhere to go and can't be compressed. Something has to give. So maybe a diaphragm tear or valve damage? On an air driven pump it will just stall and sit there but the mechanical drive can't stall if the engine's turning. More sophisticated pumps may have a by pass or relief arrangement but probably not on this one. Good to hear you've got to the bottom of the problem though. Might be worth checking engine oil for diesel in case the diaphragm has gone and it's letting fuel into the sump.
GHA
Well-known member
good point, think I'll bypass it completely for now.
greeny
Well-known member
By the way, not sure if you're watching the news but there's a few fires going on around Silves and Monchique. Brother messaged me from Silves to say the sky was black there and pool full of ash. Not a happy boy as he's only just arrived and filled the pool yesterday.
GHA
Well-known member
could really smell the smoke last night in the anchorage, guessed it was not far off. Got some friends around there, hope they're OK
Bilgediver
Well-known member
Some lift pumps have a small filter basket inside them. These lift pumps have a screw on the top of the dome cover and not a rivet. Have you checked for this? The bas,etc can be removed, cleaned and replaced and can get chocked.
GHA
Well-known member
this one is sealed, looks like a pressed fit, no screws.
webcraft
Well-known member
GHA
Well-known member
Ta, that's what's providing the fuel at the moment, or similar one anyway which came with the boat to move fuel to refleks header tank. . Same principal as a facet, like a solenoid. Will replace the mechanical one at some point.
GHA
Well-known member
Greeny, ever been round here? Thinking might hole up in that bay to wait out the easterly, go round at sunrise before it hits
greeny
Well-known member
Been past lots of times but not anchored. Looks like it'll be ok to sit out the easterlies tomorrow maybe. Sandy bottom about 3 m minimum, out of the wind, what not to like? Not much ashore though. Maybe one bar. Could take a look at Praia do Tonel on the way round,and see if thats ok. It would be nearer to town but not much. Holiday time so beach may be "busy". Where are you getting the pics from?
Last edited:
GHA
Well-known member
1st image from sasplanet, 2nd from google maps 3d. Both extremely useful online resources for cruising. Paia Do Belixe anchorage worked out really well, nicely tucked in out of the wind and waves, was actually more peaceful than when the wind dropped and the swell came back. Don't think of taking dinghy ashore, I shot up the beach on the kayak going in & got drenched paddling like a madman through a couple of waves coming back. Mostly to get some mobile data for a new grib. Nice walk though.
Getting round yesterday morning just horrible, got round headland & boat further out about a mile away had flogging sails & seemed out of control followed by a scared voice calling mayday. Orcas. Every instinct screaming go help but only choice was to keep safe. Salvemento arrived quickly, towed him round the corner.
So today motoring in fickle wind as tight in to Punta De Sagres as I dared, very nervous completely tuned into the slightest change in engine note, but it didn't falter thank goodness. Anyone who has sailed past here will know the immense raw power of the ocean, this ain't the place to push your luck in the slightest.
Got back into Baleeira & hook well dug in, put on the coffee, put on some Patsy Cline, sat down and it all bubbled up, had a little cry . Didn't really realise being so focused on keeping the boat safe but it's been a tough few days, feeling extremely vulnerable, very isolated and massively exposed. You are pretty much on your own down here, it's a pretty wild place with nowhere completely safe.
The feeling of being alive coming out the other side is just so powerful, that's maybe why we singlehand far and wide, price can be high but the rewards are immense.
The very idea of spending large amounts of your allotted time alive working for someone else in return for some money seems utterly preposterous right now. Though money can buy engine spares.... nice to have a bit 
Stay safe, go sailing.