Steve91T
Guru
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2016
- Messages
- 898
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Abeona
- Vessel Make
- Marine Trader 47’ Sundeck
Hello everyone.
So a year and a half ago, I ran out of fuel with 300 gallons of diesel on board. I learned a lot about how my fuel system works that day. A few trips after I had an engine shut down while underway. Other engine wouldn’t make proper rpm either. Racors seemed clear. I changed the block mounted spin on filters and all was well. Seemed like the racors let crap by that the spin on filters caught and got clogged. This probably happened when I ran a tank dry sucking up junk at the bottom.
Fast forward to 2 months ago. Ran the boat 3 hrs to an anchorage and back and ran her hard. 1650 rpm with the current, 1800-2000 into it. (3 kt current). Ran awesome. Ran the generator the whole time.
5 weeks ago my dad went to the boat to drink my beer and run the engines. He ran all 3 at the dock for 15 minutes or so. All was well.
A few days ago we load the kids up and go to the boat with plans to go anchor for the night. We got to the boat to find the fridge had died which was absolutely disgusting along with the fresh water pump overheating. Instead of anchoring, we went for a quick cruise to the ocean and back. I found the starboard engine wouldn’t go past 1400 rpm and the port, 1600. No smoke, no signs of lugging. Acted like they weren’t getting enough fuel. The bottom and running gear was dirty but the engines didn’t feel labored. And running both at 1300 the speed was as expected; about 6.5 kts ish. Also 45 minutes into the trip, the generator quit. Now I don’t know why it quit, all I know is it started and ran at the dock for 15 minutes with a load with no problems. After the trip both engines hit 2800 ish rpm in neutral.
I had the bottom cleaned that day. Water outlet flow for the generator before and after was identical.
So I checked the racors and they are dark but zero debris at all. I’m thinking they are letting things by that the block mounted filters are catching. I feel like it should be the other way around. Racors are easy to change and can actually be done while underway. Block mounted filters are a chore.
Thoughts?
Engines are Lehman 225’s and yes, I’ll call Brian in the morning. Still, a diesel is a diesel and I wanted to hear other experiences and opinions.
Thanks again.
So a year and a half ago, I ran out of fuel with 300 gallons of diesel on board. I learned a lot about how my fuel system works that day. A few trips after I had an engine shut down while underway. Other engine wouldn’t make proper rpm either. Racors seemed clear. I changed the block mounted spin on filters and all was well. Seemed like the racors let crap by that the spin on filters caught and got clogged. This probably happened when I ran a tank dry sucking up junk at the bottom.
Fast forward to 2 months ago. Ran the boat 3 hrs to an anchorage and back and ran her hard. 1650 rpm with the current, 1800-2000 into it. (3 kt current). Ran awesome. Ran the generator the whole time.
5 weeks ago my dad went to the boat to drink my beer and run the engines. He ran all 3 at the dock for 15 minutes or so. All was well.
A few days ago we load the kids up and go to the boat with plans to go anchor for the night. We got to the boat to find the fridge had died which was absolutely disgusting along with the fresh water pump overheating. Instead of anchoring, we went for a quick cruise to the ocean and back. I found the starboard engine wouldn’t go past 1400 rpm and the port, 1600. No smoke, no signs of lugging. Acted like they weren’t getting enough fuel. The bottom and running gear was dirty but the engines didn’t feel labored. And running both at 1300 the speed was as expected; about 6.5 kts ish. Also 45 minutes into the trip, the generator quit. Now I don’t know why it quit, all I know is it started and ran at the dock for 15 minutes with a load with no problems. After the trip both engines hit 2800 ish rpm in neutral.
I had the bottom cleaned that day. Water outlet flow for the generator before and after was identical.
So I checked the racors and they are dark but zero debris at all. I’m thinking they are letting things by that the block mounted filters are catching. I feel like it should be the other way around. Racors are easy to change and can actually be done while underway. Block mounted filters are a chore.
Thoughts?
Engines are Lehman 225’s and yes, I’ll call Brian in the morning. Still, a diesel is a diesel and I wanted to hear other experiences and opinions.
Thanks again.