Volvo Penta MD2030 - keeps stopping

[GBR26R]

Hi
Fuel, oil, cooling filters all changed, engine fuel bled correctly
Engine starts then even when warm revs fade and engine stops after few minutes?

background / only 400hrs on engine
Run perfectly for 2 years in race boat
Recently did 2000nm race charging batteries every 8 hours for 15 days. Had a warning for oil pressure on starboard tack when heeled but engine kept running at idle.
Some light grey smoke at high revs only

could we have:
1.
Fuel bug
2. Compression issue due to low revs in neutral for long time
3. Oil pressure / damaged piston rings
4. Injector pump failure
5. Carbonised injectors

what do we do first ???
Any ideas please

 

[SaltIre]

You could have fuel bug with lumpy bits in the bottom of the tank intermittently obstructing the fuel pipe. Particularly if the problem occurs in or after rough seas.
It happened to me and it took me too long to investigate the tank - it was an intermittent problem. Here's what I found when I drained it:

Engine ran much more sweetly after I cleaned the tank! It helped that I had an inspection hatch on the tank but you can sample from the bottom of your tank using a PELA extractor, or similar.
Pela Oil Extractor, Pela Liqiud Extractor

 

[GBR26R]

You could have fuel bug with lumpy bits in the bottom of the tank intermittently obstructing the fuel pipe. Particularly if the problem occurs in or after rough seas.
It happened to me and it took me too long to investigate the tank - it was an intermittent problem. Here's what I found when I drained it:
View attachment 142881 View attachment 142882
Engine ran much more sweetly after I cleaned the tank! It helped that I had an inspection hatch on the tank but you can sample from the bottom of your tank using a PELA extractor, or similar.
Pela Oil Extractor, Pela Liqiud Extractor

Thank you for quick reply / I have a big viewing hatch on tank and there is a few black bits - I added some fuel bug cleaner today and it needs 24hrs to work so will try again tomorrow

 

[VicS]

Engine starts then even when warm revs fade and engine stops after few minutes?
>
>
what do we do first ???
Any ideas please

Check the tank vent ... take the cap off to see if it then continues to run.

.

 

[peteK]

It's easy to start thinking the worse but most problems on a diesel engine is usually something simple,sounds like a fuel related problem as most of the other things you mention would mean the engine would be difficult to start.