Fuel Supply Shutting Down

[casual]

I,have a friend with a ford diesel in his trawler,his engin runs for about a hour and shuts down.He beleives the fuel return line to the tank is clogged .He tells me the line runs thru the injector pump thru the block and exits at the rear of the engin,he thinks the clogged line is putting back pressure on the fuel supply and shutting it down.After the engin has sat for a couple of hours it restarts and repeats the process over.Any one know how to un clog this line.sounds to tough for me .
Thanks for the input

[DeepFrz]

What is the reason he believes it is his fuel return line?

It is more likely his fuel supply line that is partially clogged. Probably in the tank. Possibly a screen on his fuel pickup line. Could also be a clogged vent line on his fuel tank.

[casual]

Hi and thanks,he claims all lines to the injector pump are clear .H e hooked up an electric pump and fuel came thru to the injector pump.He also said before this blockage occured he could hear fuel returning to the tank now he hears none.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by casual

Hi and thanks,he claims all lines to the injector pump are clear .H e hooked up an electric pump and fuel came thru to the injector pump.He also said before this blockage occured he could hear fuel returning to the tank now he hears none.

No fuel will return if none is going in. This is one of those here-say situations. Have him bypass the fuel filters (with very clean fuel) with a hose in a jerry can. Take it out for a spin for an hour or more. Then see what happens.

[DeepFrz]

Yes, in my explanation above I "assumed" that he had checked that his filters were clean and are maintained at proper intervals, ie: replaced at least once a year. Hopefully he has a vacuum gauge on the filter that will alert the owner when the filter/fuel line is clogged.

[motion30]

I had a racor that was clean would run for 5hrs and then shut off clean Turns the filter had an air leak

[undercutter]

Easy to check return flow from engine by disconnecting tube from rubber hose going back to tank and placing in a jerry can. Run as usual, making sure that jerry can doesn't overflow. If engine does not quit then you have found the problem but this is not likely.

Usually, minor air leak in supply side or plugged supply hose but this would normally result in dropping fuel level in glass prefilter (racor), (There is one installed?) and would be readily apparent. Does he have to prime the engine after stall?

Also could be lift pump, especially if tank is very low to engine.

My guess is dirt in tank blocking pickup and then when suction falls off after engine dies, particles clear allowing fuel to be picked up. This is especially true in rougher waters. Biggest problem with fuel tanks!!!

Clean frequently so that your engine runs when you need it.