westerbeke 4 108 40hp woes

[taz2]

Hello everyone, I have a Westerbeke 4 108 40hp diesel engine that I cannot get to stay running.

I have run out of ideas as why the fuel is not getting to the engine. Possible Problem: Air, lack of pressure/suction

I have:
1. cracked, bled, bled, bled and continuously bleed
2. I have replaced the original lift pump with a new one then had to reinstall the original since the new one wasn't working. The original i took apart, cleaned and put back together. the removal and reinstalling the lift pump
3. I installed a new 12v fuel pump to the battery to pull diesel from the tank to the engine.
4. I checked lines and hoses for any pin size holes and blockages, found nothing, and still no fuel entering the engine!
5. disconnected the hose from the tank, placed the hose into a jerry can of diesel and after several attempts trying to start the engine (eventually it started but died after 10 secs)
6. A marine engine mechanic installed a 12 gallon plastic tank, quite a while ago, since the original tank was full of stuff and kept blocking the fuel flow to the engine which resulted with the engine dying, to the extent a friend managed to "row", yes row the 36ft boat back to out dock spot!
7. installed a new Parker filter. replaced oil, and replaced the old oil filter and fuel filters.

On all 4 separate occasions that the has engine started, it dies as soon as the "pumped" fuel has been used. the longest time the engine has stayed on is 12 seconds. The engine will not restart until sufficient fuel has been manually pumped.

Any ideas. I am new to engine work. I hope I have explained the problem. Fuel is not getting into the engine to keep it running.

Ps I have cleaned and recleaned the original tank that is buried in the hull and with the water tank on top of it.

Help

Moses

[donradcliffe]

Put temporary clear hose from tank to 12v pump, and look for bubbles. Take off the filter inlet hose and make sure you have good flow when the pump is running. If you have put the pump upstream of the fuel filter and let it run continuously, it will pressurize the system and pretty much eliminate the possibility of air inleakage.