Problem repeating itself

[Adrianwool]

Hello, suggestions welcome on this one. Last November I had a problem where the Starboard engine TAMD41b 'dumped' a quantity of fuel into the bilges, (some 30 litres in total). The engine would idle at 1,000 rpm, but not provide any acceleration. Had the engineers look at this at the time, they determined a 'leak' & replaced the supply and return hoses, & apparently job done. At low speed (sub 1,500 rpm) no problem, took the boat out today for a run, ran the engines up, to 2,500 - 3,000 rpm, and on return to marina found the starboard engine had 'dumped' fuel into the bilges, (not so much this time about 5 - 10 litres), and the engine would provide acceleration. Having the engineers to look again, but would like to bat this round the forum. Is it likely that this is a repeat of the hose problem, i.e. an unfortunate coincidence, or could it be something else, my thoughts were increased pressure associated with increased engine speed 'bypassing' a seal on the liftpump for example. Comments welcome

Thanks

Adrian

 

[PaulGooch]

Major guessing game Adrian, but i'd look at the return circuit first. Might just be a spill pipe (the tiny little pipes that run from injector to injector and so on). Have a feel around them and see if one if damp.

 

[A_8]

I had a small leak recently and found it quite easy to follow where the fuel was coming from.
Look around the engine and look for "oily" areas, touch it and smell your fingers to confirm its diesel and then try to follow it using the logic of gravitation.

Wherever the leak is its likely that there will be a "drip" area before it hits the bligde that should be easy to find as it will very likely hold a drop and you can then follow it from there.

I noticed around 100 ml of diesel in the bligde recently and using the above approach found the banjo nipples on the feed pump leaking, tightened them and all was ok.

 

[Adrianwool]

Problem solved!, no problem showed at idle or low rpm, but at higher rpm a leak manifested itself from the pump, pump has been removed to be rebuilt, I am hoping this is an end to the problem. Fortunate I suppose that fuel was not sprayed onto a hot engine and only a couple of litres ended up in the bilges.

 

[rafiki_]

Problem solved!, no problem showed at idle or low rpm, but at higher rpm a leak manifested itself from the pump, pump has been removed to be rebuilt, I am hoping this is an end to the problem. Fortunate I suppose that fuel was not sprayed onto a hot engine and only a couple of litres ended up in the bilges.

Well done on finding the problem. Diesel does not burn easily, but a glowing turbo/exhaust would certainly be a problem. Hope you are now in for a good reliable summer.