During the 2024 Wednesday Night Races Series 1
Race 5 on 2024-05-22, the engine cut out before the start. Sounded like fuel starvation. Supporting data: heeled while on starboard tack and the fuel pickup is on ther starboard side; low fuel level, at or just below the hold down locations molded into the side walls of the tank. The hold downs are 3" above the bottom of the tank per the manufacturer's diagram. The side walls are 11.75" total.
- Opened the tank by removing the inspection plate on the top. Some amount of bacterial growth evident in darker red small round (lentil or smaller) "colonies".
- Tried using the engine fuel pump to prime the system. Gave up after some 60 strokes without fuel flowing from the "check bolt(?)" on the outlet side of the on-engine fuel filter. Left the screw open.
- Opened the "check bolt(?)" on the off-engine fuel filter.
- Used the Primer Bulb 5/16″ Hose Barbs
to fill the off-engine fuel filter. The bulb will push fuel through the on-engine fuel filter as well, I found out.
- Once fuel was flowing from the "check bolt(?)" on the outlet side of the on-engine fuel filter closed both "check bolts(?)".
- Spun the engine with the raw water valve closed and the decompression levers active to warm the cylinders.
- Attempted to start the engine six or more times for 10 or more seconds each time with throttle well opened. At first, nothing. Later attempts, the engine would "limp" for 10 seconds or so, it seemed, and die. Over time the engine would run longer before dying. Finally got the engine running roughly.
- Motored to the fuel dock and added six gallons of diesel.
- Engine ran much better, well even, after adding the six gallons.
- Motored around the harbor for more than half an hour at ~2,500rpm to fully warm the engine and verify that the fuel issue has been addressed.
- Checked engine temperatures:
- 73* at raw water filter,
- 83* entering heat exchanger,
- 126* exiting heat exchanger,
- 158* engine surface temperature near the injectors.