Problem bleeding Beta 35

Cardo

Cardo

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www.yacht-tinkerbell.co.uk
We've been having some issues with our Beta 35 where it struggled to start. A previous thread suggested there may have been air getting into the fuel system somewhere.

So as a start, I've removed the fuel filter and replaced this. The filter was full of fuel as expected. The CAV filter appears fine. I opened the tap on the bottom and clean fuel came out.
However, I'm struggling to bleed the system. I've opened the bleed screw on top of the fuel filter and pumped away at the lever on the lift pump but no fuel is coming out at all. I've checked the hoses leading from the CAV filter to the lift pump and from there to the fuel filter and they all seem fine. Can't find any leaks and all seem tight.
It seems the lift pump isn't lifting?

Thoughts?
 
Cardo said:
We've been having some issues with our Beta 35 where it struggled to start. A previous thread suggested there may have been air getting into the fuel system somewhere.

So as a start, I've removed the fuel filter and replaced this. The filter was full of fuel as expected. The CAV filter appears fine. I opened the tap on the bottom and clean fuel came out.
However, I'm struggling to bleed the system. I've opened the bleed screw on top of the fuel filter and pumped away at the lever on the lift pump but no fuel is coming out at all. I've checked the hoses leading from the CAV filter to the lift pump and from there to the fuel filter and they all seem fine. Can't find any leaks and all seem tight.
It seems the lift pump isn't lifting?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

assuming tank is below the engine, how about getting somebody with a dinghy pump ( & a rag to make the pump hose/filler air tight) pressurize the tank & system whilst you open the bleed screw
 
Is it an engine driven lift pump? if so it could be sat at the top of the cam which would stop it operating.
Have you tried cracking off the fuel lines at the injectors and cranking it over until you get fuel to the injectors?
Probably best to bar it over through 90-180 degrees 1st and try the lift pump again.

Phil
 
sailorman said:
assuming tank is below the engine, how about getting somebody with a dinghy pump ( & a rag to make the pump hose/filler air tight) pressurize the tank & system whilst you open the bleed screw
Click to expand...

The fuel tank is more or less level with the engine, although the fuel level is a little low at the moment. The CAV filter is mounted pretty high, above the current fuel level. Could that be causing a problem?
 
PhilW said:
Is it an engine driven lift pump? if so it could be sat at the top of the cam which would stop it operating.
Have you tried cracking off the fuel lines at the injectors and cranking it over until you get fuel to the injectors?
Probably best to bar it over through 90-180 degrees 1st and try the lift pump again.

Phil
Click to expand...

I turned over the engine for a sec and tried bleeding again and then it worked. Don't know if it was that or one of the various other bits I fiddled with but it seems to be ok now.

Now I just need the tide to come back so I can run the engine properly!

Thanks all.
 
Hi, on my Beta 20hp[ engine I unscrewed the nut on top of the primary fuel filter and kept cranking the engine ( i have no manual lift pump primer lever ) eventually all air was dispelled , please note I did turn off the engine water inlet valve every other try to prevent water entering the engine! QUOTE=Cardo;4073373]We've been having some issues with our Beta 35 where it struggled to start. A previous thread suggested there may have been air getting into the fuel system somewhere.

So as a start, I've removed the fuel filter and replaced this. The filter was full of fuel as expected. The CAV filter appears fine. I opened the tap on the bottom and clean fuel came out.
However, I'm struggling to bleed the system. I've opened the bleed screw on top of the fuel filter and pumped away at the lever on the lift pump but no fuel is coming out at all. I've checked the hoses leading from the CAV filter to the lift pump and from there to the fuel filter and they all seem fine. Can't find any leaks and all seem tight.
It seems the lift pump isn't lifting?

Thoughts?[/QUOTE]
 
silverdawn said:
Hi, on my Beta 20hp[ engine I unscrewed the nut on top of the primary fuel filter and kept cranking the engine ( i have no manual lift pump primer lever ) eventually all air was dispelled , please note I did turn off the engine water inlet valve every other try to prevent water entering the engine! QUOTE=Cardo;4073373]We've been having some issues with our Beta 35 where it struggled to start. A previous thread suggested there may have been air getting into the fuel system somewhere.

So as a start, I've removed the fuel filter and replaced this. The filter was full of fuel as expected. The CAV filter appears fine. I opened the tap on the bottom and clean fuel came out.
However, I'm struggling to bleed the system. I've opened the bleed screw on top of the fuel filter and pumped away at the lever on the lift pump but no fuel is coming out at all. I've checked the hoses leading from the CAV filter to the lift pump and from there to the fuel filter and they all seem fine. Can't find any leaks and all seem tight.
It seems the lift pump isn't lifting?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
[/QUOTE]


Is there not a manual lever on your kubota pump :confused:
 
Beta have reliable but not powerful fuel pumps and they do struggle to meet the needs of bleeding. A cheap addition from ASAP supplies is easily fitted to the CAV filter and gives an ability to the fuel feed and makes bleeding quick, easy and effective.
 
What has not been mentioned in this thread (unless I've missed it) is that there is also a bleed screw on the injection pump – at least on the Mini series, assuming it is the same om the Beta 35. According to my manual (for Beta 722/20) this is the main bleeding point after filter changes.
 
BabaYaga said:
What has not been mentioned in this thread (unless I've missed it) is that there is also a bleed screw on the injection pump – at least on the Mini series, assuming it is the same om the Beta 35. According to my manual (for Beta 722/20) this is the main bleeding point after filter changes.
Click to expand...

That's right. Bleed screw above the filter first and then bleed through to the screw on the injector pump. I was struggling with the initial bleed screw, but once that was sorted the other was easy, just opened it and it started flowing (it's lower than the fuel filter outlet).
 
I have a beta13.5 serviced but there was salt grit in the lift pump was cleaned but now won't start at all is lift pump gone
 
My beta 20 has a manual pump. I initially had various fuel problems as the old tank was rusty and full of crud and the filter system was poor. I replaced the tank with a plastic one and replaces the filter with a Racor. I also stuck a rubber 'ball pump' prior to the filter to help prime it. I don't need to bleed anymore as it works perfectly but if i had to it involves a nice simple realease of the plate on the top of the filter, a pump or two on the rubber ball to get juice flowing, tighten filter, open bleed screw, pump again and it goes with the engine turning over powering the fuel pump. I could give it a couple of pushes for good luck prior to turning the key.
 
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