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

[Sam]

Any particular additive works best?  Thanks,  Sam

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 11, 2011, at 12:43 PM, Karl Mielenhausen <kmielen at suddenlink.net> wrote:

> 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
>>