2052 boat almost ready but hit a wall with engine. Need help...PROBLEM SOLVED-gctid809957

[Songman]

Solved

Tip of the day:

Do not leave the Racor filter drain valve open after installation. The system will suck air and the engine will get no fuel.

Solution: Closed drain valve and did numerous starts (thank you new batteries) to fill filter bowl and system. Finally started and returned to previous state - runs great. Lucky dog!



As some of you know from previous posts, I've been readying my Trophy Pro 2052 over the past few months - hoping to get underway next weekend.

The previous owner did little to no maintenance over a period of 2-4 years, so I've been checking everything and learning a lot about the boat. I've replaced all the fluid and lubricants/grease, steering cable, panel breakers, the battery selector switch, Racor R20S fuel filer / water separator, docking fenders, VHF radio, and some other items. Gave it a nice cleaning and badly needed wax job, too.

One outstanding issue was a "clanking" noise when running the engine and shifting into gear. I read that there may a need to adjust the throttle cable. I did remove the shift lever at the helm to grease the internal mechanism, so I suspect something moved slightly.

Replaced both batteries today, hoping to wrap things up and start a deck cleaning.

Here are the symptoms:

1. Started engine and ran rough with a "tinging" sound.

2. Shifted forward with level. Engine RPM increased slightly with clanging sound and clunking into gear. (outstanding issue) Backed it off.

3. Shifted forward again with lever, engine died. (repeated several times with same results)

4. Started engine, idled rough then quit.

5. No longer able to start engine. Engine cranks but does not start.

Observations / Comments:

New Racor fuel filter / separator - bottom bowl is empty. Should there be fuel in the bottom bowl all the time?

Please note that I added fuel before starting the engine (on trailer), so the fuel inlet cap was removed and then installed (if that matters).

Perhaps the engine is not getting any fuel (diesel).

I will appreciate any help. Thanks

[Pcpete]

My quick reaction is you have a fuel line valve closed. Yes, there should be fuel in the bottom of the Racor bowl. In fact, you should fill the Racor to the top of the filter as part of installing a new filter. Another thing is that the filter could be clogged with stuff from the fuel sitting in the tank.

[Apurpura]

I had a similar issue on my boat but I found out it was being caused by the shift lever safety. Since you moved things around in there it could have been moved as well. Good luck.

[canoel]

Double and triple check all your fuel lines, fittings and seals on the filter. Diesels have a habit of drawing air in through leaks, with no evidence of fuel leaking out. Make sure your filter housing is filled with clean fuel.

Does this engine have a separate lift pump, or does the injection pump draw fuel from the tank?

[Songman]

The shift lever safety should be okay. I can crank the engine in neutral but nothing happens in gear.

[Songman]

I'm not sure about the fuel pump. It's probably not a separate lift pump but a standard pump.

I do have a question about the electronic fuel shut off valve, located in line with the fuel line going into the Racor fuel/water separator. Could this have stopped the fuel flow? I understand it can be shifted to a manual mode but I'm not sure how to do that. There is a screw on it that rotates left and right.

[Songman]

Well, I found some information about the shut-off valve in the owner's manual. I understand how to check that now.


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