If I run out of fuel, what do I need to do?

[Splash of Lime]

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU TURN OFF THE WATER INTAKE <><><>. . . .Just make sure you turn it back on when you get the engine running.

[secrabtree]

An electric fuel pump is even better!

[barnakiel]

I sailed a cat with twin yanmars. The pumps were self priming. I would just add fuel and crank see what happens.

b.

[tikirawker]

Follow the manual that Stu posted. Besides the mechanics of bleeding I highly recommend using paper towels or something disposable to catch the diesel. It's a tough smell to get rid of if it attacks your boat!

[SteveInMD]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Yes.... you will need to prime it.. personally I find the silly little primer pumps one step above useless which is why I always fit a rubber fuel bulb in the line.. gets the job done in no time.
Crack the last injector and half a dozen squeezes rushes the fuel through till it squirts... tighten and turn over the engine.. no cramped 1/8th inch pump action that takes forever..
Great for filter changes as well..

I believe the process is more complex on this motor. The fuel bulb or priming lever on the low pressure pump will help you bleed the air from the low pressure side of the fuel system. You will need to open and then close one bleed point after the next while pumping fuel. Follow the fuel line from the low pressure pump to each bleed point, remove all the air, and move to the next. The bleed points will be shown in your manual. I think the final one is on the high pressure fuel pump. The priming bulbs are handy for this process but I'm pretty sure they are not ABYC compliant. (But do what you like.) Next, you need to bleed the air from high pressure side of the fuel system (which is after the high pressure pump). You need to open the nut at the top of all three injectors. Open them plenty, not just a little. Do not bend any fuel lines. Then crank the motor until you get clean fuel with no bubbles from all injectors. Close all three the injector nuts and try to start the motor. Repeat from step one if it does not start or it stalls. Fuel will not "leak back" drawing in air on the high pressure side of the system, so you don't have to rush closing the injector nuts.

[adlib2]

Originally Posted by AFKASAP

Hi there,

If I ran my engine to a point that it stopped due to running out of fuel, would I need to prime or bleed anything to get it going again (after topping up with my emergency jerry can reserve of 25l).

The engine is a Yanmar 3JH4E on a Beneteau Oceanis 40

Thank you.

In over 50 years of yachting have never run out of fuel; however, sailed into many harbours due to engine shut down due to other reasons usually for plugged engine coolant strainer.

[Scrimshaw4]

Check your engine manual. Some engines have electric fuel pumps and are therefore capable of self priming. Your manual will give you the instructions on how to prime your specific engine.

[reed1v]

Everyone should learn how to bleed their systems. Read your manual. Usually just cracking the filter fittings will get the air out, then tighten when only fuel comes out. Some systems best to bleed forward(filter, injectors) and some backwards(injectors, filters). Some have an automatic bleed system(pure heaven). Learn to do it quickly; may save your boat someday.
On our bmw engine and yanmar, we just cracked the line to the injectors and primed the system till fuel ran out without any air.

If you have more than one filter, be sure each is bled. Running out of fuel is not uncommon if you have multiple fuel tanks and each has to be switched manually.

[Perstarebob]

Why should you turn off the water intake , because if ya have to spin the engine a lot , the water pump is pumping water in but there is not enuff exhaust pressure to blow the water out so it accumulates where ya do not need it .

[Manos1955]

It's ok to know how to do it, but think - if the weather is bad, and the bboat is rocking, do you really want to do that?
Best course of action set the second sail, ( I asume you have always your main up) and deal with this issue in a flat sea place.

[Cheechako]

Depends on the engine. Some will start up readily after you crack one injector and crank for 10-15 seconds. Some are much harder. A squeeze bulb or electric pump between the tank and engine can help prime.
BTW, usually the engine will start to rev faster and then slower intermittently when running out of fuel.

[deblen]

Originally Posted by AFKASAP

Hi there,

If I ran my engine to a point that it stopped due to running out of fuel, would I need to prime or bleed anything to get it going again (after topping up with my emergency jerry can reserve of 25l).

The engine is a Yanmar 3JH4E on a Beneteau Oceanis 40

Thank you.

If you forget & run out of fuel,you will probably never let it happen again.
The bleeding procedure,while usually not difficult, will create an auto reminder in your mind

Seriously--you should practice/learn the bleeding procedure for your engine while at the dock.
Next filter change,with tank valve turned off,run engine til it stops.
Use your manual to follow bleeding procedure & learn what tools,rags,containers,etc. you need.
Bleeding your diesel should be part of your skill set IMHO. Fuel delivery problems are not uncommon & it's nice to be prepared.

Cheers/ Len

[deblen]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Yes.... you will need to prime it.. personally I find the silly little primer pumps one step above useless which is why I always fit a rubber fuel bulb in the line.. gets the job done in no time.
Crack the last injector and half a dozen squeezes rushes the fuel through till it squirts... tighten and turn over the engine.. no cramped 1/8th inch pump action that takes forever..
Great for filter changes as well..

I installed a 5/16" off the shelf replacement squeeze bulb 3 yrs ago. Cheap & works great,but Stu Jackson & others have me worried it will "dissolve".

Does anyone know where I would find a diesel rated one in N.America??

[SteveInMD]

I was wrong. This engine is simple. There is one bleed point on the low pressure side and the high pressure side is self bleeding.

[Mikado]

As with most breakdowns, they usually occur at the worst possible time. After I changed engines, I practiced changing filters, bleeding the system etc at the dock. After a couple of successful trials I made a laminated instruction sheet that hangs in the engine room so that anyone can do it in case I am not available. I also made up a set of tools required to perform these tasks which is stored in the engine room.