[C320-list] Engine problems

[Larry Frank]

John,

I didn't see how your sail went after draining the water.  I hope this
solved your problem.

I have the 30B in WindSwept and have experienced the exact same symptoms as
you have.  In my case I did not have any water in the fuel filter.  I was
changing filters after 10 hours of running.  The problem also seemed to be
worse with a very low level in the fuel tank which seems to support dirty
fuel theories.  I dissected one of the filters and there was no sign or dirt
or any thing plugging it us - although I don't know if the microorganisms
would be visible.

I checked the troubleshooting section of the engine manual and it listed the
fuel pump a possible cause of the problem.  I replaced mine and the problem
seems to be solved.

I did take the old pump home and it would "run" when attached to a 12V
battery.  I think it is a diaphragm pump and the diaphragm may be damaged so
running may not equal pumping.

I learned much during this troubleshooting process.  I was very surprised to
find the engine would run without the electric fuel pump running!  At least
at idle.  I unbolted it from the engine and disconnected the positive 12V
lead and the engine started and ran.

Second I learned that the way the fuel pump is wired it normally runs when
the engine is running using current supplied by the oil pressure sender and
it also runs when you turn the ignition switch to the preheat setting.

The pump does not run when the ignition key is in the on position and the
engine is not running.



-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Ellis
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 8:10 PM
To: Catalina 320 association
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Engine problems


Many thanks to everyone who offered excellent suggestions on my boat's
engine problems. I've learned so much about C320 maintenance from this list.
 
I'll ask the fuel dock if there's a biocide in the fuel they sell. Yesterday
the engine was running more and more roughly as the RPM dropped, and so it
was not the throttle lever problem that Allen suggested. The PO had replaced
the fuel tank, I think about four years ago. There could be a lot of crud in
there, but I've had no similar problems in the two years I've owned the
boat. San Diego did get some rain last month, and I have yet to check if the
O-ring on the fuel filler cap is in rough shape and could be leaking from
the deck. I replaced all of the Lewmar opening ports' O-rings when two of
them leaked last month, and they were all in poor condition.
 
Today I drained about four ounces of water from the primary fuel filter and
then the fuel ran clean through the bowl drain. I started the engine and it
ran very smoothly for 20 minutes at the slip. I'm hoping that simply
draining the water from the bowl has fixed the problem.
 
Since I was on my own I decided not to chance taking the boat out, having an
engine failure and then trying to sail back into my downwind slip. I'm going
for a day sail on Friday with a full crew of six, and so we can save that
drama for when we have more hands to either minimize the damage sailing into
the slip, and/or appreciate my boat handling skills (or those of the Vessel
Assist skipper). 
 
The temperature hit about 80 again this afternoon in San Diego; however
there was very little wind.
 
John
#271> Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:50:37 -0500> From: allan.field at verizon.net>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Engine problems> >
John - I have read all the posts regarding your engine problem. It is not>
clear from your post if the engine ran rough as the RPM's decreased or if
it> simply started decreasing. So here is a possible solution that may have>
been overlooked. Did the throttle lever itself gradually fall back as the>
RPM's decreased or did the lever absolutely remain in the same position? If>
it remained in the same position, you can stop reading now. But a fairly>
common problem is that locking screw for where the throttle cable attaches>
to the throttle lever loosens. To access, you need CAREFULLY to remove the>
compass, put LokTite on the locking screw, and before the LokTite dries,>
adjust the locking screw until the cable slippage problem goes away. From>
memory (about 6-7 years ago), you would want to use the blue LokTite.> >
Hope this helps.> > Allan S. Field> Sea Shadow - #808> Columbia, MD> >
-----Original Message-----> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com>
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of John Ellis>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 9:08 PM> 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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