[C320-list] ENGINE FUEL PRIME

[Dave Hupe]

 Ben-
Consider installing new glow plugs. The Perkins Perama M30 engine needs these for cold starting. 
I had severe starting problems. I discovered that the glowplugs on my boat were wired to be on constantly during both starting and while the engine ran (rather than just for starting). The previous owners had changed the keyswitch and wired things incorrectly. I corrected the electrical issue, installed new glow plugs and the engine now starts very well.  
I submitted an article to Mainsheet magazine about replacing the glow plugs. Let me know if you would like me to send that to you directly?
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32
Holland, MI
    On Monday, May 23, 2022, 10:36:10 AM EDT, Ben Cares <bcares at caresphotoarts.com> wrote:  
 
 I just got on here and noticed this thread. After a perfect season last
year, my Perkins Perama engine would not start this year. I changed the
Racor and on-engine fuel filter, bled the system (which had a lot of air in
it), and finally got it to start. Now it will only start after using glow
plugs for 30 seconds, setting the engine on full throttle and continuous
cranking for nearly 30 seconds. We have since changed the fuel and return
lines. still the same result. Once started and shut down, it will
immediately start again, but as soon as the engine has cooled down,I have
to go through the same process again. Once it starts, it runs great,
unloaded or loaded. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Ben Cares
1994 #34

On Mon, May 23, 2022 at 10:17 AM Doug Treff <doug at treff.us> wrote:

> Lots of good info here - I'll only expand on what others have said - be
> careful about overtightening the bleed screws on the secondary filter
> housing. The screws are stainless steel and the housing seems to be some
> type of aluminum alloy. Very easy to strip the threads in the bleed screw
> hole and cause a constant fuel leak and also can cause "loss of prime"
> issues. Mine was damaged by the previous owner and we ended up replacing
> the entire filter housing assembly to remedy the problem.
>
> As others have said, replace the crush washers periodically. I have a
> small bag of them on board in my spares kit and replace every third bleed
> or so.
>
> --
> Doug Treff
> doug at treff.us
>


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