Diesel Struggles Under Load

[strqaightv8]

Originally Posted by jimbunyard

When you had the transmission uncoupled, how hard was it to turn the prop shaft?
Was there a certain spot that felt like it was binding? The shaft should turn easily all the way around. Do you have a packing-type stuffing box? Is it adjusted correctly?

I didn't check, but it was spinning easily by hand(wrench) when it was coupled. I didn't have the time to do anything but run it once and see what happened. It's adjusted fine, if anything a tad too loose. I can always run it though and check the temperature


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[pesarsten]

Make sure that the electric fuel pump is working properly and that the filter there is clean. My W27 has a small 12 v pump with integral filter. I would think that an excessive load ( fouled prop, bound shaft etc ) would cause an excess of black smoke. If you don't have any smoke clues ( black or white or blue ) I would suspect fuel starvation.

Good luck keep us posted!

[strqaightv8]

Originally Posted by pesarsten

Make sure that the electric fuel pump is working properly and that the filter there is clean. My W27 has a small 12 v pump with integral filter. I would think that an excessive load ( fouled prop, bound shaft etc ) would cause an excess of black smoke. If you don't have any smoke clues ( black or white or blue ) I would suspect fuel starvation.

Good luck keep us posted!

Mine is a sealed unit so I have no way to check it other than replace it. Chances are, it needs it anyways even if it's not the problem here. I have white smoke in startup that gradually lessens, but comes back if I get on the throttle hard, especially in gear. Never blue or black though, and no fuel or oil in exhaust water


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[sailorchic34]

Originally Posted by strqaightv8

Mine is a sealed unit so I have no way to check it other than replace it. Chances are, it needs it anyways even if it's not the problem here. I have white smoke in startup that gradually lessens, but comes back if I get on the throttle hard, especially in gear. Never blue or black though, and no fuel or oil in exhaust water


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White smoke is coolant and would a head gasket issue. light grey smoke would be unburnt fuel, caused by dirty injectors, bad IP, or bad rings. If it starts easy, it's not generally rings.

[strqaightv8]

It's quite possible it's a light gray, it's hard to place it. Being colorblind doesn't help either


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[strqaightv8]

Ok y'all, I'm back. Gave the prop a spin and it turns freely, no noticeable difference in any particular spot. Hooked the shaft back up, now I'm wrestling with the propeller, I figure if I can take it off and the boat works fine, it's the prop. If it doesn't work, it's the shaft. Maybe.


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[CptLawrence]

How rough was the water last time you were out? Maybe water or crud was stirred from the tank bottom, made it past the filters and are lurking around til you rev up. Do you have a filter bowl valve you can open to drain and check or shine a flashlight thru it? Has the injector pump been cleaned or drained, maybe it is self cleaning or has a low spot for gunk to settle?

[strqaightv8]

Originally Posted by CptLawrence

How rough was the water last time you were out? Maybe water or crud was stirred from the tank bottom, made it past the filters and are lurking around til you rev up. Do you have a filter bowl valve you can open to drain and check or shine a flashlight thru it? Has the injector pump been cleaned or drained, maybe it is self cleaning or has a low spot for gunk to settle?

Water was no rougher than usual, fairly calm seas. I drained the filter then replaced it with no effect. I haven't touched the injector pump yet, or the governor, those are both next on the list.

Haven't messed with the prop anymore, got myself a gear puller, and wouldn't you know it, the bolt is too long to fit between the shaft and the rudder. So I'm searching for another puller with a smaller one. Also, my AC went out and had to be messed with. Good fun


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[ontherocks83]

Originally Posted by strqaightv8

Water was no rougher than usual, fairly calm seas. I drained the filter then replaced it with no effect. I haven't touched the injector pump yet, or the governor, those are both next on the list.

Haven't messed with the prop anymore, got myself a gear puller, and wouldn't you know it, the bolt is too long to fit between the shaft and the rudder. So I'm searching for another puller with a smaller one. Also, my AC went out and had to be messed with. Good fun


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I'm assuming you have a folding or feathering prop? Do you have a fixed blade you can get your hands on to make a test run with?

My concern is the engine problem may be load related. if you have no load on the end of the shaft the problem may disappear leaving you to think it's the prop when in reality it only occurs when there is an actual load and not just reving.

[strqaightv8]

Originally Posted by ontherocks83

I'm assuming you have a folding or feathering prop? Do you have a fixed blade you can get your hands on to make a test run with?

My concern is the engine problem may be load related. if you have no load on the end of the shaft the problem may disappear leaving you to think it's the prop when in reality it only occurs when there is an actual load and not just reving.

It's a fixed blade, and it all appears to be fine, all I'm trying to verify by pulling it is that it's not the shaft, if that makes sense. If it still has the problem, it's the shaft. if it's all fine, then it's either the prop or something further back the line


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[ontherocks83]

Oh ok. Sorry I was missing that part of the equation. Let us know how this test turns out. At least you are covering all of your bases and if this passes then you can confidently start your progress on the engine itself.

[strqaightv8]

That's the plan. At this point all of the "obvious" stuff has been ruled out, now it's just trial and error. I'll be back cranking on her after work today, I'll let y'all know what happens


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[strqaightv8]

Update time. The gear puller I rented had a bolt too long to fit between the shaft and the rudder. After searching for a smaller bolt, then another set from a different shop, it doesn't appear to exist in my are. So before I drive all over the state (or buy the $250 worst marine one) I'm back on the fuel system. Got my rails and fuel lines all removed yesterday, gonna take the injectors out and soak em in paint thinner overnight, and tear apart my lift pump. Injector pump and governor will have to wait until after the weekend, the boat shows coming into town soon and I'm getting forced off my dock, so I need to be able to at least limp a mile to my new slip


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[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by strqaightv8

Update time. The gear puller I rented had a bolt too long to fit between the shaft and the rudder. After searching for a smaller bolt, then another set from a different shop, it doesn't appear to exist in my are. So before I drive all over the state (or buy the $250 worst marine one) I'm back on the fuel system. Got my rails and fuel lines all removed yesterday, gonna take the injectors out and soak em in paint thinner overnight, and tear apart my lift pump. Injector pump and governor will have to wait until after the weekend, the boat shows coming into town soon and I'm getting forced off my dock, so I need to be able to at least limp a mile to my new slip


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Awful ambitious knowing you need to limp in a few days!
You don't double down on soft 7's do you???

Still not convinced it isn't a return line problem..

We'll gett'r figgerd out man...

[strqaightv8]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Awful ambitious knowing you need to limp in a few days!
You don't double down on soft 7's do you???

Still not convinced it isn't a return line problem..

We'll gett'r figgerd out man...

I'm more of a craps guy myself...

I'm gonna check the return line tomorrow when it all gets put back together, I've got some extra hose, gonna bypass all my filters on the way and and hook directly to the lift pump, and directly out of the injector pump overflow on the backside


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