R_p_ryan
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2014
- Messages
- 171
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Shellbourne
- Vessel Make
- 1978 Mainship 34 Perkins T6.354
Yesterday when cruising at 1800 RPM my single engine 1978 Mainship 34 shut down. Just prior to shut down the engine surged and hesitated like it was out of fuel.
At the time I was running on the port fuel tank only because I wanted to equalize the volume in both tanks. The starboard tank was at 1/4 full and the port was 3/8 full. I had closed the fuel valve from the starboard tank a few days ago.
I was near a busy shipping channel in deep water so immediately called for Vessel Assist, then went to troubleshoot. I simply opened the valve for the starboard fuel tank and could hear this sucking sound like the fuel line was under a vacuum. Then I was able to restart the engine, and it easily started up. I was on the way to the fuel dock and filled both tanks and everything was fine for the remainder of the trip, approximately three hours. When filling the fuel tank I could feel air coming out of the vent, so I think there's something blocking the line.
Does this mean there is a sludge block in the port tank? The boat gets regular weekly use in a variety of rough to calm waters and the last fuel fill was about five months ago.
I'm taking a bunch of kids out for the Blue Angels air show on Sunday, so I need reliability.
Thanks,
Robert
At the time I was running on the port fuel tank only because I wanted to equalize the volume in both tanks. The starboard tank was at 1/4 full and the port was 3/8 full. I had closed the fuel valve from the starboard tank a few days ago.
I was near a busy shipping channel in deep water so immediately called for Vessel Assist, then went to troubleshoot. I simply opened the valve for the starboard fuel tank and could hear this sucking sound like the fuel line was under a vacuum. Then I was able to restart the engine, and it easily started up. I was on the way to the fuel dock and filled both tanks and everything was fine for the remainder of the trip, approximately three hours. When filling the fuel tank I could feel air coming out of the vent, so I think there's something blocking the line.
Does this mean there is a sludge block in the port tank? The boat gets regular weekly use in a variety of rough to calm waters and the last fuel fill was about five months ago.
I'm taking a bunch of kids out for the Blue Angels air show on Sunday, so I need reliability.
Thanks,
Robert