Ode to a fuel pressure gauge

[Peter]

Hi all,

Went for a sail today - engine died about 100 feet from dock - had enough way on to get back to dock.

Went into trouble shooting mode. Beast needs fuel, spark and air.

Fuel first. Bypassed OPSS and pump ran but no fuel pressure.

Maybe a blocked tank vent? Opened fuel fill and ran fuel pump - no fuel pressure.

Time to remove some fuel lines to check for blockages upstream from pump.

Shut fuel valve off - wait a minute, that is turning the fuel valve on!

Ran pump - pressure came right up. Tried to start - ran fine.

Rewired OPSS and had a lovely sail.

I was on autopilot when I did my pre-start check and simply turned the fuel shut off valve without thinking about it, because I "always" shut it off when I leave the boat...

The diagnostic available with the fuel pressure gauge was invaluable.

If you are hesitating about a fuel pressure gauge, go for it. Very cheap ($20) and very effective! I had dirty fuel issues last season and it was incredibly useful then too.

Peter

[joe_db]

Even better is one you can see underway

[ndutton]

Even better is one you can see underway

. . . . and how 'bout alerts you when the pressure drops and your attention is focused elsewhere?

[joe_db]

. . . . and how 'bout alerts you when the pressure drops and your attention is focused elsewhere?

Sounds like a great idea
(my gauge has a red warning light that comes on at 1 PSI. I need to see if I can connect a buzzer up to it)

[ndutton]

Sounds like a great idea (my gauge has a red warning light that comes on at 1 PSI. I need to see if I can connect a buzzer up to it)

Yeah, we thought so too.
E-W-D-S

[sastanley]

Yeah, we thought so too.
E-W-D-S

Man, I need another birthday to come up soon!!!!!