A little help please for my 1973 C&C 30 MK1. When I don't run the boat for 7 or 8 days my usually reliable A4 won't start. There is no fuel on the spark plugs. I found that if I remove the bulkhead mounted gas filter, refill and replace it starts right up. I didn't want to mention the obvious but rather see what suggestions I receive. Thank you
Starting Problem
Collapse
X
-
Sounds like a gas leak to me, if you're only touching the fuel system between not starting and starting. Check the carb throat for fuel after cranking in addition to the spark plugs.
Do you have a shutoff valve between the fuel tank and the filter?
If I understand correctly, the fuel system should be full of fuel and free of air at all times. I don't recall ever pulling off a fuel filter and finding it empty, or even near empty. If your fuel filter is empty after sitting for some time the fuel must be going somewhere. Is the filter the highest point in the system?
Is the carb bowl full of fuel when you return to the boat? If it is, there is likely enough fuel to get the engine running, and I would think you would experience a shutdown shortly after starting as that big air bubble works its way through.
Others will be along with ideas I'm sure. If you return to the boat to an empty fuel line the fuel must have gone somewhere. My guess would be into the bilge, or back into the tank if there is no shutoff valve (or the valve is left open).
-
-
Thanks all
I do have and use a shut off between the fuel tank and the filter. I have also checked the throat of the carb. When I remove the gas filter it's only shy an inch or so of fuel. My own thought was that the fuel pump was weakened to the point of not being able to draw the fuel into the bowl and carb. I have found no evidence of a fuel leak. Thanks again
Comment
-
-
IT COULD BE THIS, IT COULD BE THAT
Originally posted by 2105Joust View Post. I found that if I remove the bulkhead mounted gas filter, refill and replace it starts right up. I didn't want to mention the obvious(WHAT?) but rather see what suggestions I receive. Thank you
You're guessing where the problem is.
Let's get some hard facts and go from there.
Run off an auxiliary tank straight to the fuel pump bypassing all filters and the boats parts of the fuel system and see what happens. Then you will know which area of the fuel system is at fault - the boat's part or the engines part of the fuel system.
ex TRUE GRIT
Edit: Electronic or mechanical fuel pump?Last edited by JOHN COOKSON; 11-11-2020, 01:33 AM.
Comment
-
-
One aspect that you have not mentioned and is very important, I think, is do you smell gas? Have you stuck your nose in the bilge for a good sniff?
Even if you cannot see any gas but you can smell it, then don't even think about starting the engine until that is solved please.Greg
1975 Alberg 30
sigpic
Comment
-
-
You have a mechanical fuel pump. Pull the dipstick and see if you smell gas on it. A small pinhole /perforation in the diaphragm on the mechanical fuel pump can cause difficulty starting. You may note a "sort of oil/gas smell"...not quite the smell of frank gas but an odd smell in the boat that wasn't there before.Mo
"Odyssey"
1976 C&C 30 MKI
The pessimist complains about the wind.
The optimist expects it to change.
The realist adjusts the sails.
...Sir William Arthur Ward.
Comment
-
Comment