Westerbeke diesel stalling.

[bahamabreisus]

I have a 12.5 Westerbeke diesel. It runs fine for 15-30 minutes, puts out proper voltage. Then stalls, like running out of fuel. The fuel electric fuel pump is new and all 3 filters replaced. It is not a sensor, because the fuel solenoid does not close when it shuts down. It just shuts down like running out of fuel.Here is the interesting part, the other night the power went of at the marina, started the generator, it ran 3 hours, no problem, shut it down myself when power came back on. Thanks

 

[fwebster]

I'm betting the fuel supply solenoid is getting tired. When it gets hot, the coils won't hold the plunger open.

To test, crawl down in the bilge right after the generator dies and open the solenoid by hand and see if it is open or closed. It is about a $150 part in Westerbeke money; $35 in any other currency

 

[bahamabreisus]

Frank, I have actually been in the bilge when it shuts down. The solenoid doesn't move, it is still in the run position. Do you think it still could be shutting fuel off.

 

[ttmott]

It may also be air getting in the fuel lines. Check Racor and fittings.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Also forgot to mention, it will start right back up and run for the same 15-30 minutes

 

[Cherman]

Pain in the butt, but you could run the gen off a small (clean) 3 or so gallon tank to see what happens. If it continues to run, then problem in fuel supply. If it stops in the same 15-30 mins., then IDK. My fuel valves are under my fly-bridge stairs. You didn't accidentally bump your fuel supply to partially closed? just an idea

 

[LMBoat]

I have a 10BTD and had a similar issue. Lots of time troubleshooting, parts, etc, and nothing worked, until I unplugged and replugged the harness connection inside the wiring box. Problem solved. Apparently some corrosion on the pins? May not be your problem as you say the fuel solenoid stays open, but worth a shot as it a free thing.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Sounds like a good idea, thanks

 

[bahamabreisus]

I have a 10BTD and had a similar issue. Lots of time troubleshooting, parts, etc, and nothing worked, until I unplugged and replugged the harness connection inside the wiring box. Problem solved. Apparently some corrosion on the pins? May not be your problem as you say the fuel solenoid stays open, but worth a shot as it a free thing.

Is that the box with the start stop switches?

 

[LMBoat]

Correct

 

[bahamabreisus]

Correct

Thanks, I will look at that tonight.

 

[jjcllc328]

My westerbake on our 460 dancer has been running fine. Now if I try to start from the genny it blows the 8 amp fuse on the side of control panel. When I try to start it from the cabin as soon as I let go of the start button it stalls.any help would be appreciated
John

 

[bahamabreisus]

Figured it out, fuel line had small crack where it made a turn and was sucking air. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[FootballFan]

Thanks for following up with the answer.

 

[bahamabreisus]

Mark, I hate when people ask questions and never respond to the answers they receive, let alone let us know what the fix was.

 

[NotHerDecision]

John. I am guessing you have a bad sensor. check the temp sensor and wires.

 

[jjcllc328]

Yes mine ended up being bad temp.sensor. what baffled me trouble shooting was that I kept blowing the fuse so I was looking more at the wiring for a dead short. I was over thinking the issue. Went back tok basics and bypassed 1 sensor at a time. All up and running now