[C320-list] Engine problems

[Joe Barrett]

I agree, either Fuel or Water clogging Filter.
I once had the same problem on my O'Day in the Bahamas. Only in treacherous
situations would the engine hesitate and sputter. Later found out the Fuel
Pump was on it's last legs. As Fuel was used less pressure would result in
sputtering. Once fuel was topped off it ran fine.
Replacing Fuel pump solved that problem.
Joe Barrett 



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of
bruceheyman at cox.net
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 9:27 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Engine problems

I'd check the water/fuel separator and see if you have any water.  I've seen
filters clogged by colonies of bacteria do exactly what you described.  Are
you using any biosides when you fill up.
Bruce
Somerset 671 SoCal
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

-----Original Message-----
From: John Ellis <jr_ellis100 at hotmail.com>

Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:07:32
To: <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Engine problems



While motor sailing on San Diego bay this morning waiting for the wind to
fill in, my engine (Westerbeke 30B) started to hesitate and then the RPM
dropped from 2600 to 1000.  I pushed the throttle full open and after about
20-30 seconds the engine sped up again. 
 
This continued to occur at about five minute intervals. Sometimes the engine
speed would drop to about 600 RPM. If I put the transmission in neutral it
would eventually run well again, but did not seem to improve any faster than
with the transmission in forward, so I thought the problem was not caused by
something wrapped around the prop. 
 
My next thought was a fuel filter problem, but the engine seemed to recover
and then run well for a while, rather than slowly suffocate and die. Both
filters were changed last November and we've put less than ten hours on the
engine since then. We filled up (9 gallons) with diesel last weekend at the
Harbor Island fuel dock. 
 
I checked for the normal amount of cooling water being discharged and that
looked fine. After a while the wind filled in and we sailed back, starting
the engine for just the last 100 yards into the slip. Does anyone have any
ideas what could be causing this problem?
 
John
#271
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