Engine prob stuck on the canals

tomdmx said:
Got the fuel and lift pump (in the black and oily and hard to get to space lol)pumping away for a bit, got diesel coming out of the second filter bolt, but nothing coming out at the injector pump bleed bolt...if i undo it a bit just a air sund as i pump with the lift pump...
Click to expand...

Carry on pumping, you have to get all the air out, so hearing air is progress.
 
Got it turned over, Started for a few seconds...then died, now its trying to catch on first cylinder but the batt is getting flat so need to wait again...
 
I am not saying it is impossible but it is VERY unlikely that you do not have a lift pump fitted between the fuel tank and the injector pump.

On a sail boat it would be normal practice to design the fuel tank to be as low as possible. I guess if you had a later tank fitted and it really was high up then it might be the case that you have no lift pump and your system is gravity fed.

If you are sure that is the case then start at the injector pump and slacken off the feed pipe. Fuel should flow out. If it does not then work your way back to the tank slacken off the pipes until you get fuel flow. That should find the problem.
 
TQA said:
I am not saying it is impossible but it is VERY unlikely that you do not have a lift pump fitted between the fuel tank and the injector pump.

On a sail boat it would be normal practice to design the fuel tank to be as low as possible. I guess if you had a later tank fitted and it really was high up then it might be the case that you have no lift pump and your system is gravity fed.

If you are sure that is the case then start at the injector pump and slacken off the feed pipe. Fuel should flow out. If it does not then work your way back to the tank slacken off the pipes until you get fuel flow. That should find the problem.
Click to expand...

More info since you wrote. Tank in keel - which explains problem.
 
Right shes up and running! Been running for the last hour or so, half of it under power...had to re top up the secondary fuel filter to help rid of the air...
Someone mentioned that tank in keel is a prob, would a tank shut off valve fix this, fitted when i change over the hoses (next time shes on the hard)..
 
tomdmx said:
Right shes up and running! Been running for the last hour or so, half of it under power...had to re top up the secondary fuel filter to help rid of the air...
Someone mentioned that tank in keel is a prob, would a tank shut off valve fix this, fitted when i change over the hoses (next time shes on the hard)..
Click to expand...

What is happening is the fuel is either:

1. Running down into the tank when stationary, ie there is an air leak somewhere high in the fuel circuit.

or

2. Whilst it is running and therefore sucking fuel from the tank, it will be bringing air in on a leaky union.

A shut off valve at the tank might help in 1 above, but I would first of all take a pair of spanners and go through every union in the system. Unfortunately its much easier to see a joint which weeps diesel out, than sucking air in.

In an earlier comment I said that a fix was pretty urgent as its an accident waiting to happen........
 
Cheers, I will go over to ensure is all tight...I am hoping that it was the primary filter/water separator as that was re fitted a few days ago...will check and hope that it will be ok with the inline filter until we get to a place where we can lift her out and transport...
 
tomdmx said:
Cheers, I will go over to ensure is all tight...I am hoping that it was the primary filter/water separator as that was re fitted a few days ago...will check and hope that it will be ok with the inline filter until we get to a place where we can lift her out and transport...
Click to expand...

Look closely at that filter then. Is the seal fitted correctly. If it is a CAV filter they can be difficult.
 
So tightened all the hose joints last nite...but this morning same prob again, it started for a bit then died...secondary filter half empty once again...so took the filter off and decided to change the seal to a new one, and re fitted..lprimed the system and off it went after a few tries...not sure if I fixed the problem but next to this I can only change the hoses as not sure where else i could be getting air in...
Why would the secondary filter be half empty once again...its in the middle of the system..,could it be that ot wasnt fitted properly or bad seal and therefore returning fuel to the pump? Or could it be the pump?
 
These type of leaks are the most difficult to find, The way i would do it, would be to pressurise the fuel line from the tank end to about 5-10psi, I would use my compressor, but you could use a bike pump with some duck tape wrapped round the join and a willing helper, then you go round every join and rub soapy water on it and look for bubbles
 
Yep i think it was the filter...i changed the seal and re sat the filter and it started as it should forthe last couple of mornings :) well i can truly say that I know this fuel system now lol...Hopefully it will be om until we get down to the med when I am going to lift her and prep for the big trip..
 
Just a thought, but if the filter was letting air into the system at rest, when running it would have leaked fuel. Also a good thing remember, when running the engine a leak in your fuel system will only draw air between the lift (primer) pump & the tank. Between the lift pump & the injectors will leak fuel.
 
Just come across your thread...Can you post some photos..?

If you ae using a smartphone you will need to take the photo, then upload it to something like 'photobucket' free to download to your phone.. you can then post a link to the photos...

Fuel systems of any deisel are very simple in reality.. Even very big ones are the same as your tiny volvo..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top