generator hicup

[xanadu]

Well took her out this weekend and everything was just unbelievable. After a day and a half running the generator, it just stopped and I thought we were out of fuel. Checked and everything there was good then checked electrics and everything there was also good. Happens the fuel line has an air bubble which shut it down and after doing some primeing got her going again and she has not given trouble since.

Any idea how after running for a day and a half an air bubble would develop? Never happened to me before. I could only assume the fuel pump may be trying to tell me something so I am going ahead and having that changed. Has this ever happened to anyone and should I be looking in any other direction?

Alan
1974 58YF "XANADU"
Chaguaramas Bay
Trinidad and Tobago

 

[MarioG]

A blocked fuel line will also cause this. I had this happen to me two times in 3 years. dirty fuel tank was the problem.

 

[xanadu]

Thanks Mario, would take a look at that as well.

Alan
1974 58YF "XANADU"
Chaguaramas Bay
Trinidad and Tobago

 

[Hat52MY]

Are the fuel filters clean? What level was the fuel in the tank that the generator pulls from? If the tank was below a quarter and depending on the pickup location if the boat rolled or pitched a certain manner, it may be possible for the pickup to temporarily lose contact with fuel and suck up a bit of air (creating the air pocket) and then start picking up fuel again.

 

[MikeP]

"I could only assume the fuel pump may be trying to tell me something so I am going ahead and having that changed."

I'd recommend avoiding the "throwing parts at it until it's fixed" approach. The fuel pump can be checked for proper operation; I would not replace it without checking it first. As noted, it's far more likely to be a fuel filter/connection issue than a defective fuel pump. Doesn't mean it COULDN'T be the fuel pump but there are several more (and easier) "usual suspects" to rule out first.

 

[xanadu]

Thank you for all of the good advice.

The fuel filter was checked and clean and the tank 1/2 full. The hull did rock quite a bit with some bad weather but not enough to cause any serious problems I would think. The pump was checked and pumping fine but having said that, I don't want to take a chance while I am away from port for this to happen again. I will have the tank cleaned and the fuel polished to make sure and really I don't think there is any harm in doing so, this will give us a more peace of mind.

Alan
1974 58YF "XANADU"
Chaguaramas Bay
Trinidad and Tobago

 

[bigbill]

alan, if you were in rough water, it may have stirred up some crud and clogged your filters. bigbill