M25XPB Fuel Starvation

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burns3c's picture
burns3c
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Joined: 12/4/23
Posts: 1
M25XPB Fuel Starvation

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

Haro's picture
Haro
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Joined: 11/7/14
Posts: 451

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
 

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Sojourn
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Joined: 7/14/08
Posts: 176

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

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