westerbeke230 dies after 5 minutes

[guy1954]

I've andolder westerbeke that has run like a champ for years the other day I was moving to a service dock to have my main mast reinstalled motor started and ran fine as usual. about 5 minutes into the run the motor sped up 50-70 rpm and then died. it was acting as if it had run out of fuel and would not restart. next day I got it to start again with a little squirt of starting fluid. after it started it ran fine no missing or smoking for 5 minutes then it did the same sped up and died. has anyone had a similar experience and could enlighten me as to where to start. I've already replaced one filter need to do the 2 micron but have to take the water plumbing out of the way to get to it. I get fuel from the lift pump all the way to the hipressure pump on a test. but haven't been able to get it to restart. very puzzling to me.

[DeValency]

Have you checked the primary water separator filter? I have seen cases in the past where some free objects/sludge in the filter are blocking the non return valve (a ball under the internal filter) after few minutes as a result of the diesel flow.

[Bill Seal]

The fact that it sped up before stalling might indicate air in the high pressure lines, sucked in by the injector pump. When I had a plugged fuel tank vent, my Volvo just slowed down and stopped.

[guy1954]

I'll have a look at both those issues