Engine won't start

[colhel]

Tamd41a. Yesterday had an 8 hour run from Guernsey and I reckon I must have been pretty close to using a full tank of fuel. So today I tried to start the engjne and no hint of it trying to fire. Transfered 20l from a can (fresh yesterday) and still nothing. Fitted a new pre-filter before we left yesterday and topped up. I did have a problem stopping the engine but it turned off okay yesterday evening when we berthed up.
Is it possible the stop solenoid is stuck to stop? Js there a way of checking or by passing it? Is it more likely to be fuel related?
Any suggestions most welcome.

Cheers

 

[BruceK]

try bleeding the fuel filter first and if necessary crack an injector and see if fuel is coming through. I was plagued with this problem with air getting in the fuel lines. In my instance it was from new inline fuel shutoff valves leaking air into the system but not showing any diesel leaking out but it could just as easily be air coming in any worn seals on your prefilters or filters.

 

[BruceK]

Edit. The bleed for your filter is on top of the filter housing. 10mm spanner. Manually operate the lift pump until fuel spurts out. Losen a couple injector feeds and run the starter motor till fuel spurts out. Tigten up and try starting the engine.

My engine would run fine until I stopped it then it would need bleeding. I thought air was leaking into my racor filters because they were half empty and with the lid off did not siphon diesel out (they are below tank height and normally should do)

 

[[2068]]

(lift pump lever is above the fuel filter)

 

[colhel]

Thanks Bruce/Dave I'll try your suggestions

 

[colhel]

There's no resistance on the lift pump lever and very little fuel from the filter bleed screw. Could this be the problem?

 

[colhel]

Update.... cracked injectors and now running.
Thanks Bruce!

 

[snowbird30ds]

There's no resistance on the lift pump lever and very little fuel from the filter bleed screw. Could this be the problem?

When that happens you need to turn the engine a bit to get the pump off the cam.
Glad you got it started.

 

[BruceK]

Update.... cracked injectors and now running.
Thanks Bruce!

Now you need to find the source of the air leak. Start at what you changed last. :encouragement:

 

[Momac]

Now you need to find the source of the air leak. Start at what you changed last. :encouragement:

Sounds like the air leak was due to almost running out of fuel.

 

[BruceK]

Sounds like the air leak was due to almost running out of fuel.

prefilters were also changed. Were the accompanying o-rings changed? were they fitted with a smear of oil on the interface? etc etc.

 

[tico]

Had it once when the 'O' ring on the old filter stayed stuck to the housing. The new 'O' ring on the new filter then didnt seal properly.
You did remove the old seal with the old filter?

 

[colhel]

Yes new seals fitted, old ones removed.

 

[BruceK]

It may well be because you ran the tanks to near empty. Easy to find out. Fuel up a bit, run her, leave overnight. If she cold starts on the dime tomorrow problem gone. If not reseat all seals you may have disturbed or may have had time over winter to degrade

 

[colhel]

That's what I was thinking. I'll let you know tomorrow.
Cheers

 

[colhel]

Started first time today, a bit lumpy then stopped after about 10 seconds but started again easily.
I'll investigate further another day but for now just enjoying a few days off staying on the boat.

 

[BruceK]

Sounds to me like you are drawing air. After a hard run it may not start at all. Least, those were my symptoms. Check those prefilters