BMC 1.5 Diesel issue

[stephenlloyd]

Hi all.
Pretty much stuck here, have a BMC 1.5, on a 32ft sailboat, that I'm trying to bleed, and am having no joy. I replaced both the fuel filters, there is one before the water separator, and one on the engine, with the lift pump in between. So it goes, fuel filter, water separator, lift pump, fuel filter, injector pump.
Anyway, cannot get fuel to pump out of the bleed valve on the 1st filter! Opened the high pressure union nuts on the injectors, and the return nuts (on top of the injectors) For some reason, the bleed nut on the second filter will seep out fuel when I manually prime the lift pump. And the return nuts will seep out fuel too when I manually pump. When I actually turn the engine over, no fuel seeps out of anywhere.
Is my lift pump dead?
The engine was really difficult to start before, and the previous owner had resorted to 'easy start' to get her going. We motor sailed her for 18 hours before the engine died 4 miles short of our destination. I thought it was dirty fuel, given the way it died, so that's why i've changed the fuel filters. (Plan on de-coking it once i've got it bled.)
Anyway, help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot.

Steve

[GordMay]

BMC 1.5 Marine Diesel Engine
Goto the “How to Bleed” instructions on page 2, here:
http://www.nacnud.info/elysianboats/pdf/bmc.pdf

[Boracay]

If you have not replaced the lift pump then I would suggest that this should be high on your priorities list.

Lift pumps are common things, sometimes available from the places that sell truck spare parts. Take off the one on your engine and take it to the shop. If they don't have one they can probably order it for you. They should not be expensive.

Repair kits cost nearly the same as a complete pump but do not give nearly as good a result.

[stephenlloyd]

Thanks guys. I'll keep plugging away at it!

[GordMay]

These aren’t “Marine” manuals, but, nonetheless, may be of use.

Leyland BMC 1.5 Workshop Manual:
http://www.calcuttboats.com/pdfs/Wor...nual%201.5.pdf

BMC Operators’ Handbook (1.5 & 1.8):
http://www.calcuttboats.com/pdfs/Han...%20&%201.8.pdf

BMC 1.8 Workshop Manual
http://www.calcuttboats.com/pdfs/Wor...nual%201.8.pdf

[stephenlloyd]

Thanks all, seem to have worked out where the problem lies. At the first filter, the one before the lift pump, I seem to have an air leak, as in, when I operate the lift pump manually, air seems to be getting into the filter. I can see bubbles in the glass bottom (water trap) of the filter housing. Tried to reseat the seals but no joy as yet, so guess I may need a new filter housing? The lift pump itself seems to be working, as when I bled the system, through to the injector pump, and then turned the engine over, fuel comes through the high pressure unions of the injectors, so guess it's ok.
I did decoke all of the plugs, and they all do in fact glow, which I am very happy about. Tried to start it after, but no joy, guessing I can put this down to air in the fuel, even though no bubbles are coming through when I bleed it?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks for all the help so far, those manuals really helped!

If I can be of any assistance with anyone's rigging issues please let me know.

Stephen