Port Engine Lost Prime

[mgernes]

Beginning a few weeks ago I noticed some fuel escaping in the water out of my port exhaust. Talked to our service group in the marina, albeit not DD specialists, and they suggested that since we have had high water for a few weeks and "no-wake" restrictions were on, that once the restrictions were lifted I should put a load on the engine to possibly seal a gasket that might have been letting the fuel pass.
Fast forward to yesterday when we were getting ready to head in from an overnight on the hook, and Icould not get my port engine started. I re-primed the racor and the engine started, but I did notice fuel coming out the port exhaust again.
Talked again to my service group and they think it might be a bad injector.
Thought I would see if others have had similar issues, and how they were resolved.

Marcus
Beach House-1973 53MY

 

[Pascal]

I don’t think a bad injector would cause a loss of prime, both issues could be coincidental Is there a fuel cooler in the system? Could be another source of sheen

 

[mgernes]

Agreed it could be coincidence. I do not have a fuel cooler on board.
My service group reached out to the local DD people and they suggested a tune up along with replacing the injectors, at a cost of $2,000. I have not scheduled anything, but it might be a good time to get a qualified DD person on the boat to provide some guidance.
Engine started fine yesterday when we went out for a cruise.

 

[oceanjake]

Sheen on the water can definitely be cooler related. Are you sure you don’t have one inline? It would be odd if you didn’t. The cooler can be checked by removing the fuel lines in and out of it and connecting them together. If the sheen goes away you’ve found the culprit.

 

[SEVEN]

I friends 8V71 was losing prime, it turned out to be a bad fuel pump. The mechanic said it’s rare for them to go out but his had. A new one was installed. Issue fixed. Hope this helps.

 

[Pete]

Another possibility that I experienced was a bad O ring in the priming plunger that Hatteras originally installed. It allowed air to be sucked into the line when sitting idle as the tanks are down on the keel.

 

[ageless]

check the fuel tank vent and all the connections from the tank to the filter, check the bowl on the filter to ensure it's tight and gasket is intact, also check filter cap/gasket, T bolt o-ring

the loss of prime does sound like a separate issue from the sheen

how does the engine run? Any new smoke? Checking the injectors is super easy
https://youtu.be/Rvsz1d-lVcU

 

[mgernes]

This is great help. I will be on the boat later today and will look into these suggestions.

Happy Fourth of July to ALL.

BeachHouse