[C320-list] Engine/Fuel Issue with my 2001 Yanmar

[Karl Mielenhausen]

Just attended a diesel maintenance seminar conducted by our yacht club. The
mechanic (Harvey Smith, who some of you may know from when he had a
business on the Chesapeake) indicated Tom's problem might be algae in the
fuel tank. Algae tends to clump together and might be restricting flow at
the pickup tube.
Engine stops, fuel line suction drops, algae falls away, engine can be
restarted.
Just something else to check.

Also, he cautioned against any fuel additive containing alcohol. He has
seen premature failures of the lift pumps as a result of alcohol as well as
ultra low sulfur fuel. He said to open on of the bleed points and manually
pump the lift pump. Should get a good gush of fuel with each stroke. If
not, it may be starting to fail.

Lastly, Harvey said he was seeing more injector problems due to the Ultra
Low Sulfur Fuel and to use a lubricity additive (make sure it
does not contain alcohol).

Karl


On Mon, Nov 7, 2011 at 6:05 AM, <tjdames at comcast.net> wrote:

> All,
>
> I am hoping that someone has had a similar experience and can provide me
> with some guidance. As of late I have been having an issue with my engine
> (Yanmar - for my 2001).
>
> When the issue began 3 weeks ago,  the engine started fine, ran for about
> 3 minutes, than sputtered and would not restart. When it stopped it
> sounded/behaved like a lawnmower running out of fuel.
>
> My mechanic said it had to be "primed", which he did, and it ran fine for
> ablut 30 minutes until he shut it off, and let it sit over night. The next
> morning, the same thing happened, it ran for a few minutes and sputtered
> out.
>
> He now tells me that he suspects fuel is draining back to tank through the
> fuel sytem and he is going to "install a check valve" into the system. that
> will "hold fuel in system". Please note that half of my current fuel is new
> this year, purchased very early in the season.
>
> Has anyone ever had a similar experience and does the mechanic's solution
> seem logical?
>
> I would appreciate any thoughts!
>
> Thanks,
> Tom Dames
> Whisper 708
>