Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

[ted655]

Any diesel mechs that can help?
WMD 7.7 was running fine when shut down. Boat sat grounded for 4 months. After water returned under boat & was floating again, I replaced the dead start battery to the genset & tried to start engine. It cranks OK but won't start. Tried spraying WD 40 into intake but no burp or cough out of it.
It's set for extended times before with no issues. Aside from new battery, nothing else new. Glow plugs are drawing current according to guage.

 

[QC]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

I am not a Westerbeke expert, but it sounds like she may have lost fuel prime . . . Do you know if you are getting fuel to the injectors? Is there a priming pump? What do you have to do when you change a fuel filter? How do you get her started after that? You might try some ether (Starting Fluid) to get her started; I can't comment on WD40 . . .

 

[DJ]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

I am not a Westerbeke expert, but it sounds like she may have lost fuel prime . . . Do you know if you are getting fuel to the injectors? Is there a priming pump? What do you have to do when you change a fuel filter? How do you get her started after that? You might try some ether (Starting Fluid) to get her started; I can't comment on WD40 . . .

What QC said. However, be careful with the starting fluid, if it has an intake pre-heater you'll get a BIG BOOM!

I'm sure you didn't lose compression, the only other things needed are fuel and air. You're missing one of those two.

 

[ted655]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

It has a "fuel solenoid (primer?), that is working. It "self bleeds" (so the online brochure says). We've only had it 7 months. I've not done a PM yet. No manuals of course
I'm not using starting fluid, just WD 40.
We must have started it 30 times since we bought the boat. Never a hesitation to start. Fuel supply aside, should it not "try" on the WD 40?
A fellow warned me about back sucking raw water from the exhaust into the cylinders, if I crank it too much. Great! Another worry.

 

[DJ]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

It has a "fuel solenoid (primer?), that is working. It "self bleeds" (so the online brochure says). We've only had it 7 months. I've not done a PM yet. No manuals of course
I'm not using starting fluid, just WD 40.
We must have started it 30 times since we bought the boat. Never a hesitation to start. Fuel supply aside, should it not "try" on the WD 40?
A fellow warned me about back sucking raw water from the exhaust into the cylinders, if I crank it too much. Great! Another worry.

WD-40 doesn't have anything flammable in it. It used to but no more. That is why QC suggested starting fluid. Personally, I do not like that stuff. It has ruined more things than it has ever helped diagnose.

I do not understand how cranking the engine would get water in the cylinders.

You're not getting fuel. After having sat, I think you probably have filter/strainer issues.

 

[QC]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

I a not big on ether either, but it is definitely used by technicians everywhere, factory trained techs. Your solenoid has nothing to do with fuel priming. However, if your solenoid is shot it can stick in the shutoff position. Anyway, I would determine if I was getting fuel to the injectors numero uno . . .

 

[DJ]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

Ted,

If your injectors have seperate lines going to them (one for each cylinder), you can do this: VERY CAREFULLY.

1. ENGINE OFF. Gently loosen the nut where the injector meets the head. I would do just a couple.

2. Tightly wrap rags around the now slightly loose nuts.

3. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES and keep your hands away.

4. Crank the engine.

If the rags are damp with diesel, you are getting fuel to the injectors. If not, address the filters/strainers and make sure the shut down solenoid is actually working.

5. GENTLY retighten the nuts on the injector lines. GENTLY.

If you had fuel to the injectors, it should start.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

Crack open the lines on the injectors and make sure each one has fuel... do 1 at a time with someone cranking. If the is air in the line it is stuck just before the injector.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

Ayuh,......

You've got a Fuel Filter at the front right corner of the powerplant,.....
Change it......
Just inboard from that,.....
There the Electric Fuel Pump,+ Strainer,.......
The Fuel Pump needs Power,..... And you ought to clean the Strainer......

If it Still doesn't Start,.......
Crack Loose an injector line, either end, where ever you can get a wrench on 1,+ See if there's Fuel.....
If there's Air,....... Keep cranking til you get steady Fuel, Tighten the nut,+ It'll Start.......
Atleast on That cylinder......
You may have to bleed each cylinder, or it may just pick up it's fuel........

Good Luck..........

 

[ted655]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

Thanks. Will do..

 

[ted655]

Re: Westerbeke WMD 7.7 question

Got it going! All it took was WD 40. Today I changed places with my helper. Turns out he was too scotch with the squirts. He cranked & I shot a steady stream into the intake. It took a few spins but then it coughed & sputtered and then started.
If your boat is grounded and sits at 30 degrees for an extended time, the fuel will drain back from the injectors it seems.
Keep em "level"!
Thanks to everyone, Ted