Diesel overfill preventing return?

[englishrobs]

Had the engine die this morning about 1/4 mile from our berth. Not a lack of diesel but I did top up last night and ended up with a slight overfill on the tank. Is it possible this prevented the diesel return and hence the engine stall. Drained some diesel out of the top of the tank and all seems good and en route but we’re running on engine to determine if it happens again within a similar distance/time. Beta 30.

 

[PabloPicasso]

?
A full tank should not stop the engine!!

Is the tank breather blocked?

Start checking for air leaks and blockages in the fuel system, deisel bug, water in the fuel, air intake blocked, fuel pump issues, old degraded fuel lines cracked or collapsing ....

Others'll be along soon with more specific guidance, very likely.

When did you last change the fuel filters?

Did you check the water seperater sight bowl?

Be methodical, work out the order and work through them, not a scatter gun approach like my thoughts listed above.

 

[SvenH]

I think that circulation would not depend on fill height.
What comes to mind is that overfilling may cause the breather tube to be filled in a way that prevents or hinders breathing, depending on its path.

If the breather IS the problem it is likely to happen earlier with a full tank than with an empty one.

 

[PabloPicasso]

If it is a breather issue run the engine with the filler cap loose, or removed.

*If it solves the issue you have your answer. If not it is something else.

Or syphon a few litres of fuel out to lower the level. See * above.

 

[ProDave]

I had a motorbike that would do this. If you overfilled then it would just stop a couple of miles after you filled up. Remove the cap, re start the engine and re fit the cap and all was well.

I never worked out the physics of why it did it.