[C320-list] Stalling Engine

[Rick Sulewski]

OK, Here are some additional considerations for Westerbeke engines that  may
impact start, no start conditions including stalling that I learned from 23
yrs. of ownership experiences with my 95 320 hull #277. 
1. Observe how much fuel is in your tank when the stalling condition occurs
because Westerbeke engines will run, but not with the same power level, if
the fuel pump fails as long as there is  enough fuel in the tank  (between
1/2 to 1/4 level) and fuel will  still be fed to the pump/engine by gravity.
Once the tank level is below the gravity feed level, the engine will stall
out and  restart and then stall out while in choppy water. Adding even small
amount of fuel will restart the engine.
2. In addition to the fuel pump power wire coming detached due in part to
the engine vibrations, look the wire connections to the starter. I
discovered that I had an intermittent contact wire on the starter.  I could
hold to that starter wire to get the engine to turnover and start with the
help of someone pushing the start button until I could replace/press on new
ring connector. Be careful when reaching to the starter (practice the move)
when doing that trick because of the fan belt when the engine restarts! 
3. Check out your wires to the oil pressure sensor switch located on the
lower left side when facing your engine. The oil pressure sensor switch is
near the oil pan level. Those stiff wires can be prone to break under
repeated vibration over time or when shifted when draining the oil pan and
later causing default condition to not allow the fuel pump to operate. The
default  of  broken oil pressure switch wire or  filed switch, shuts down
the fuel pump  so the engine will not normally run if there is insufficient
oil pressure. However, the Westerbeke engine will run on our 320s if there
is enough fuel in the tank, see item #1 above.    Broken oil sender wire or
even  broken oil switch spade connector on the oil pressure sensor switch
will not cause the engine to stall, but will allow the oil pressure alarm to
intermittently sound if the low pressure signal process components re
working properly. However, if there is  insufficient level of fuel in the
tank, the engine will stall when the fuel pump is not powered due to  no oil
pressure registered if there is  broken oil pressure connection.

Hope this is helpful now, or in the future, for owners of Westerbeke
engines.

Rick Sulewski




-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Mitchell Berenson, MPH
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 9:11 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Stalling Engine

I had the same problem and resolution.  Napa also has a 60 dollar fuel pump
if that heads the trouble. 

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> On Jul 11, 2017, at 10:15 PM, John Ellis <jr_ellis100 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Chris - If you have a Westerbeke engine check the wiring to the fuel pump.
I had similar problems, which were caused by corrosion in the wiring at the
spade connector leading to the engine running intermittently, and testing my
ability to sail into the slip. Since replacing the connectors the problem
has been solved.
> 
> John #271
> 
> 
> ________________________________
> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of 
> Chris Schmidt <dreescds at gmail.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:02 AM
> To: C320-list at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Stalling Engine
> 
> I've read A LOT of posts about stalling engines on here and it's been 
> really helpful but my problem remains.
> 
> Problem: Engine stalls very randomly.  It could happen on our first 
> day, second day, or this past time, after 4/5 days with some heaving 
> motoring on a few of those days.  Normally the boat will start again 
> after it stalls but then stall again within either minutes or seconds.
> 
> Filters have been changed multiple times, tank was cleaned in 2013, 
> fuel lines from tank to filter and filter to engine are new, diesel 
> should be clean.  When I take everything apart (change filters, take 
> apart the fuel water separator unit and actually clean any gunk build 
> up out) and bleed the engine it works again for a while.
> 
> Twice in the past few weeks when I went to start the engine, I got 
> nothing (no noise, no turnover, nothing) even though batteries were 
> fine.  I wait a little while, mess with a few things, and it starts up 
> right away.  Well, the last time, it didn't start at all and I got 
> towed over 30 miles back to my home port.  I arrive and test the 
> engine and it starts right away (after being connected to shore power 
> for 15 minutes).  So, I'm wondering if there is an electrical issue 
> that could be impacting this problem or both problems.
> 
> If it's an electrical issue, could that impact the fuel lift pump 
> intermittently?
> 
> I did find a good deal of corrosion on the Battery #1 terminals 
> yesterday and I cleaned and replaced the parts.
> 
> If things brings up any ideas for anyone, please share.  I'm out of 
> ideas and my wonderful wife is understandably hesitant to get back 
> aboard until this is solved.  Hence, emergency! :)
> 
> Chris
> Tangled #226
> Rock Hall, MD