My Diesel Starts - Then Dies Immediately

[Pubsnub]

Hey everyone,

I've got a Westerbeke W50 in my Allied Princess that is giving me trouble. I went out to start my engine, and it fired easily, but died in probably 1/2 sec. I tried again, and no go. I went below and bled the system, and it fired right up again. I let the engine run and checked for leaks, but I didn't see any. Went back the next day same scenario. I pulled the fuel pickup tube and it was clear. It seems like obvious fuel starvation, but the engine never seems to run rough once it fires. I motored around for about two hours no problem yesterday. I went out this morning, same thing; fires then dies.

Does anybody have any good ideas? Thanks in advance.

[Alasdair]

Ive been having my own fuel line issues lately; that aside though it sounds like you may have a leak, loose fitting ect possibly on the pressure side between the fuel lifter pump and injecters.

[DeepFrz]

It sounds like you have an air leak in your system that allows the fuel to drain out overnight. Bleeding the system purges the air and allows you to run. The air leak is likely between the lift pump and the fuel injection pump. You can have an air leak with no indication of a fuel leak.

[bobconnie]

+1 for DeepFrz sounds like a air leak for sure !

[DumnMad]

I had a similar problem. Turned out starter the battery didn't have enough ooomph to get it up to speed.

[SkiprJohn]

If you have copper washers on some of the fittings that you loosen in order to bleed the engine that might be the source of the air leak. Once they get old and tightened too many times they don't compress as much and air can leak by. You might get a handful of those and replace a few.
kind regards,

[Pubsnub]

Thanks for all the help. What's the best way to check for an air leak to pin point its location?

[bobconnie]

Only way is one connection at time !! Im not trying to be a jerk but it takes time and sweat! LOL start at the tank and go to the injector pump one fitting at a time ! I heard of folks useing air pressure to ck with but have never done that myself ! Ive always just taken my time and fixed each fitting one at a time !! sorry I don't know any quick ways to do it !!!!

[Nemo55]

Very difficult to trace because of inherent expansion and contraction..hot/cold...which also causes vacuum etc....like Bob&Connie say...process of elimination is the only way...

[Pubsnub]

Thank you everyone. I've troubleshot the connections b/w the lift pump and the tank, so I guess it's the pressure side this evening.

Thanks again!