Starboard Engine Losing Power

[Boat Drinks]

We were coming back to the marina today, after about 30 mins. running at about 2600 rpms my starboard engine starting losing power and RPMs. I backed both engines to about 2000 RPM's then throttled back up and the starboard engine got to about 2500 RPM's and after a couple mins it started slowing down again. I had the same process all the way back to the marina. The engines are CAT 3116 1999 with 800 hours. Temps and pressure were all fine, air filter looks clean and fuel filters were changed last Aug. Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[hottoddie]

Fuel filters again. Tanks may have some contamination. What additives if any do you use? What fuel do you buy? Sounds like classic fuel starvation.

 

[Robski97]

Agreed , Fuel issue .

Rob

 

[DjDaoust]

Turbo's spinning up? Any smoke? Injector possibly going?

 

[Sonnyboi400]

I have the same engine with the same problem. My engine would smoke real bad when it happen.

 

[SUNDOWNER]

I have a 99 with 3126 cats with similar issue. You have Fuel starvation. Just went thru whole process. Took Fuel sample. Catcsaid engine fine. Then engine inspection and sea trial with mechanic who said turbo ok and fuel problem. Had access ports to tanks installed, tanks scrubbed and Fuel polished $1900! And still getting issues. Changed racor elements 45 miles offshore twice
I then totally disassembled racor son the dock. Called racor. There is an aluminum ball and gasket hidden in the racor. There is dirt in it that prevents efficient fuel flow into the chamber. So must be cleaned out. Check your record and carry plenty of primary and racor filters?! SUNDOWNER. Margate NJ

 

[370Dancer]

I then totally disassembled racor son the dock. Called racor. There is an aluminum ball and gasket hidden in the racor. There is dirt in it that prevents efficient fuel flow into the chamber. So must be cleaned out. Check your record and carry plenty of primary and racor filters?! SUNDOWNER. Margate NJ

This is priceless information. Guessing it's an anti-siphon thing. Never knew. Go get a beer.

 

[brewster16]

I have a 99 with 3126 cats with similar issue. You have Fuel starvation. Just went thru whole process. Took Fuel sample. Catcsaid engine fine. Then engine inspection and sea trial with mechanic who said turbo ok and fuel problem. Had access ports to tanks installed, tanks scrubbed and Fuel polished $1900! And still getting issues. Changed racor elements 45 miles offshore twice
I then totally disassembled racor son the dock. Called racor. There is an aluminum ball and gasket hidden in the racor. There is dirt in it that prevents efficient fuel flow into the chamber. So must be cleaned out. Check your record and carry plenty of primary and racor filters?! SUNDOWNER. Margate NJ

So are you saying that inside the Racor 900 series or inside the filter, there is an aluminum ball and gasket? By the way, do you or anyone else on here have a good picture or video of the dissassembly/cleaning or "what's inside that Racor 900 series fuel water separator mechanism and bowl?"

 

[brewster16]

I answered my own question with this: http://www.marshmarine.net/index_14.htm