I need help from anyone that is familiar with these engines. I was running the motor after it had sat for 6-8 months straight (I believe I put stabilizer and biocide in the tank at the last fill-up, but that was probably last fall). Anyway, it started right up after the long off-season, and I was running the motor at idle for about 20 minutes with no issues, when all of a sudden it sputtered and died. Since then, when you start the motor it fires right up, runs for almost exactly 40 seconds, then dies, every time. I figured air in the fuel system somewhere. So I bled it out, first at the spin-on fuel filter, then the injection pump, then the injectors themselves. No change. I changed the fuel filter and racor. No change. I removed the injection pump and cleaned it as best I could with seafoam. No change. So I’m basically stumped here. Tomorrow I’m going to unhook the fuel tank from the lift pump and run a temporary fuel line into a jerry can full of fresh diesel to eliminate the possibility of upstream issues and fuel contamination/deterioration. But I’m pretty much out of ideas. Any advice? Thanks
In my case the blockage was at the primary fuel filter entrance blocked by a steel ball. Before you work hard, turn off the fuel tank valve, remove the cover and clean this path and discard the steel ball. Visit my story below
https://mei1970.org/saillavie/fuel-starvation
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
During the Covid period, I did not place the boat in the water one season. The tank was full with stabilizer added, but no biocide. It would run for a short time, 10 or so minuted. The bacteria growth in the tank clogged up the fuel lines. I had the marina staff remove the tank, remove the fuel and clean it and clean the tank itself. I replaced the hoses, fuel filters (2) and cleaned the fittings, which, in some cases clogged with the bacteria growth. The engine runs fine now.
I store indoors, heated in Michigan for the winter. Given the long downtime and temperature friendly environment, the fuel was very contaminated.
Lou Bruska
Sojourn
1985 C-36 Mk-I TR #495
Eldean Shipyard
Lake Macatawa (Holland, MI) Lake Michigan
Rallyback@comcast.net