Independant fuel tanks - port engine consumes more fuel

[n.herring]

Engines ran perfect, boat ran perfect, all tested and approved, signed off by manufacturers, it was a new boat, only realised there was a problem after delivery run and filling tanks. Lots of head scratching, put a strobe on flywheel from memory and found one engine not to spec. Can not remember if it was advanced or retarded but reset it and all was well, for anyone interested it was a Broom with Yanmar 250's cant remember the engine code but mechanical not electronic controls. Neil

 

[LittleSister]

1) Can you check what ratio it states on each gearbox?

2) How about buying some fuel hose, and trying running each engine from the opposite side fuel tank temporarily. That would identify whether it's the tank return/balance or whatever.

 

[bigwow]

I'm even once wondered if someone was nicking the fuel. (Boat out on the Conwy River with pontoon docking on starboard side) But if so, they seem to be nicking in precise quantities relative to my engine hours so that's not it.

Roy's very resourceful :encouragement:

 

[BruceK]

Roy's very resourceful :encouragement:

We should banish him to Port Dinorwic to be with the rest of his ilk :encouragement:

 

[TSB240]

We should banish him to Port Dinorwic to be with the rest of his ilk :encouragement:

Bruce
PD had a reputation for containing most of the NW boating alcoholics who would clear your liquor lockers without any trouble. Having Roy here would definitely maintain the reputation and be bad for the liver!

No space among the PD Pirates so he would probably be moved on maybe to Pirates Cove?

By the way the Italian has opened up now!
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/felinheli-marina-sees-new-italian-10255766

Will make visiting a more expensive option than a pint in the Gardffon and a Chinese from the high street. Expect we are going to see our fees Hike up gradually! Expect it will prove popular with the Ladies.....

 

[BruceK]

Things are looking up for you. I might even be pressed to visit and give Mark at Vicky dock a respite from bashing his harbour up everytime I pass the gates.

Anyway, back on topic. Will have the mechanic check the timing. Will be removing the compressors for replacement this weekend.

 

[Seastoke]

bruce you can cure your fuel problem by moving your boat there ,as they never take there boats out.

 

[TSB240]

bruce you can cure your fuel problem by moving your boat there ,as they never take there boats out.

Didnt see you down at the Ty Coch last weekend Roy! Lovely trip and less than a pint of diesel used !

 

[BruceK]

What?! No invite?! Pirate!! I'm just as capable floating down and back up on the tide as you!

 

[Seastoke]

Didnt see you down at the Ty Coch last weekend Roy! Lovely trip and less than a pint of diesel used !

steve you use fuel like you drink and i do the saqme

 

[BruceK]

OK. I think I may be one step closer to resolving the problem. One alternator is not an original Volvo unit. I suspect the pulley on it may be slightly different in diameter, not by much, only about 90 rpm difference at idle, but logrithmic as the engine revs increase. i.e. one engine is leading when I am at cruise revs. Quite significantly I would imagine. Will take a manual rpm measurement at various speeds and tally against tacho. Then taking the pulleys off and replacing to the most accurate sized one.

 

[vas]

nice,

so you've been pushing one engine a fair bit more than the other?
How about swapping the alternators and then go around for a couple of years pushing the other engine to balance it off
Then you call it quits and get the right pulley

Odd how the solution lies in a simple thing like that...

cheers

V.

 

[Kawasaki]

nice,

so you've been pushing one engine a fair bit more than the other?
How about swapping the alternators and then go around for a couple of years pushing the other engine to balance it off
Then you call it quits and get the right pulley

Odd how the solution lies in a simple thing like that...

cheers

V.

I like that Vas
'Yamass'!

 

[Kawasaki]

Brucie baby
Have you noticed more smoke on start up on one lump or tother?
There is madness in my method

 

[BruceK]

No. They smoke very little on startup as mentioned previously. I've heard KAD42's can smoke a bit until warmed up, but if so, not on mine. When I got the boat after a winter layup, yes, she smoked quite a lot more for the inintial couple times, but not so much now. Certainly no belching black diesel smoke.

 

[BruceK]

Explain you madness method? Because come to think of it I start both engines almost one after the other then look back. I haven't specifically checked for a difference or to observe closely the nature of the first few engine revs, just a look back once all is up and running and settling in.

 

[BruceK]

nice,

so you've been pushing one engine a fair bit more than the other?
How about swapping the alternators and then go around for a couple of years pushing the other engine to balance it off
Then you call it quits and get the right pulley

Odd how the solution lies in a simple thing like that...

cheers

V.

Well let's hold off on this being the final solution. Maybe one step closer. It's an old boat afterall and likely a combo of things. The product of entry level poor man's boating. Next boat I get will hopefully be a step up. That is, if this one doesn't send me to the poor house first

 

[Kawasaki]

Explain you madness method? .

Too lengthy and boring to be posted on Here
I will 'discuss' through another Medium sooner than later
Plus 'fuelling' my stomach at the Mo it has been a Long Day on the water- bugger My Job is tough!

 

[BruceK]

How many ships you take today then?

 

[Seastoke]

Not convinced on alternator