[C38] engine problem

[charles at finn.ws]

Angelika,

This is great news!  I was holding back so you could check out the easy 
solutions.  My input was going to be much more expensive...
By the way, my wife is in New South Wales at the moment watching a bit 
of your beautiful country burn.   But please know we captains who are 
currently "on the hard" envy you your summer!  Great Sailing!
Chuck Finn
Commodore
Catalina 38 International Association

On 1/17/2013 6:07 AM, Angelika - A Room With A View wrote:
> Thank you Tom (and Paul and Les) for all your helpful information re our
> vexing problem.
>
> Gary recalled having seen a droplet of diesel near the injectors recently
> and went to break and re-tighten the flare nuts as suggested to find that
> one was indeed quite loose.  We went out for a sail after re-tightening the
> nut and so far so good.
>
> The weather here has been sublime, so the conditions were fairly benign.  We
> hope that this Saturdays club racing will prove more of a test.  Fingers
> Crossed.
>
> Will keep you posted
> Cheers
> Angelika
> Boheme 362
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
> [mailto:listserve-bounces at catalina38.org] On Behalf Of tdtron at earthlink.net
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 January 2013 12:55 PM
> To: rwaview9 at bigpond.com,Catalina 38 Listserve
> Subject: Re: [C38] engine problem
>
> Hello Gary,
>
> It's hard to diagnose a boat by email and there are several possibilities
> of why your engine experiences temporary rough running.  One potential
> problem that keeps coming up in my mind is a possible air leak that is
> breaking the fuel prime on one or more cylinders.  Do you find any diesel
> fuel around the injectors or injector pump?  I have seen lines leak with no
> pressure but seal again when pressure is applied after cranking.  Even a
> small bubble in one of the injector lines will greatly lean the mixture
> until the bubble is finally passed through the injector.  A small bubble
> can completely kill the operation of one cylinder and even a very tiny one
> can greatly lean the mixture to the point of ignition failure.  If only one
> cylinder is lean, the other cylinders will run the engine long enough for
> the faulty cylinder to prime itself after a few minutes of running.
>
> The tell tale will be even a small amount of diesel fuel anywhere along the
> high pressure path fittings from the injector pump to the injectors.  If
> this is your problem, just breaking the flare nuts and tightening again
> will usually seal the lines.  The lines have to be absolutely leak free.
>
> I hope this is your problem.  It is also the cheapest potential remedy you
> will encounter.
>
> Good luck,
> Tom Troncalli
>
>
>
>
>> [Original Message]
>> From: <rwaview9 at bigpond.com>
>> To: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
>> Date: 1/14/2013 7:18:04 PM
>> Subject: Re: [C38] engine problem
>>
>> Thank you for the suggestion Paul however the fuel filters have been
> changed many times over the last six years of ownership of Boheme (ie both
> primary and secondary filters).
>> We have had diesel mechanics maintain that dirty fuel is the most likely
> culprit. In our early days of cruising we discovered that the Breather line
> was allowing sea water into the fuel in rough seas and we've made
> adjustments to avoid that happening again.
>> Despite changing filters, adding fuel additives and finally replacing all
> fuel after a tank flush we discovered we had a bug had taken hold in the
> fuel tank. Another complete clean and installation of a De-bugger apparatus
> has not eliminated the rough start after active sailing.
>> We are naturally perplexed. And wondering if there is a possibility that
> the motor is taking in water another way????? Or whatever?????
>> While the boat is over 22yrs old the motor has had only 1500hrs usage yet
> our head gasket needed replacing 18mths ago.
>> My husband is now concerned that whatever is causing the roughness may
> have more sinister implications hence our hope of drawing on the wealth of
> knowledge within the C38 Association.
>> Cheers angelika
>> Sent via BlackBerryB. from Vodafone
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: PAUL NOTTE <panotte at shaw.ca>
>> Sender: listserve-bounces at catalina38.org
>> Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2013 07:59:21
>> To: Catalina 38 Listserve<listserve at catalina38.org>
>> Reply-To: Catalina 38 Listserve <listserve at catalina38.org>
>> Subject: Re: [C38] engine problem
>>
>> Did you change the fuel filter at the left rear{while facing the stern}
> on the engine ?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Angelika - A Room With A View" <rwaview9 at bigpond.com>
> To: "Catalina 38 Listserve" <listserve at catalina38.org>
> Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2013 10:22:21 PM
> Subject: [C38] engine problem
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hello Fellow C38 Owners
>
>
>
> I have a problem/frustration with my M35 diesel engine and wonder if
> anybody else has experienced a similar occurrence.
>
>
>
> In settled conditions (eg harbour/marina) the motor starts and runs
> smoothly
> however after an afternoonb
>
>
>
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