Fuel starvation

[mikes]

Hello all, I’m a new 41 DS owner and have just experienced an engine cut out repeatedly whilst motor sailing close hauled on stub tack.
I suspect fuel starvation due to the list in lightish winds ~12kts.

I had around 1/3 tank of fuel, but I suspect the pump was failing to pick up fuel. The tank appears quite flat bottomed.

Has anyone experienced this?

is the pick up compromised with a list?

I have read that a min of 20% is recommended, but perhaps more with a list.

Once we bore away and flattened the boat the problem resolved, but I’m not sure if I need to check for filter blockage or pump problems.

Any enlightenment appreciated.

[mikebz]

If the pickup in the tank is being exposed to air then I would expect the fuel system to need the air bleeding from it before the engine will run properly again - or does the engine have some kind of self-bleeding system?

Also bear in mind that there is probably a maximum angle of heel at which it is OK to run the engine (I'm guessing this is to make sure the oil-pickup is always submerged in the sump).

[JEF]

Unusual ... correct the factory state hold a minimum fuel level of 20% in the tank at all times.

You state when motor sailing in light winds 12kts the engine falter's & cuts out ... surely 12kts will not produce maximum heel therefore one questions if this is the fault ?.. if so the fuel pick up pipe is wrong or you have a blockage / air lock issue.

Suggest you need to check A to B ...start at tank make sure you have sufficient fuel tank  then check pick up pipe ( do not trust fuel tank gauge they are notoriously unreliable )  Then move along all the way down the feed line checking each stage as you go via both filters to fuel lift pump. Make sure you bleed the system correctly ... this process should ensue you have a trouble free fuel system.    Note modern engines return a high percentage of delivered fuel back to the fuel tank on a return system so to some degree they are self bleeding but air locks can occur in the main feed line.

Check the simple things first .... again do not trust the fuel gauge... every year the RNLI stats stated the highest percentage of all yacht mayday calls are caused by fuel related problems therefore you need to be confident all is correct.

Hope this helps ... good luck  

[mikes]

Thanks for your responses.

I have found a loose joint with a damaged olive on the elbow which exits the CAV fuel filter. Replaced and running ok, I hope this was the cause.

Will also check the fuel tank pickup as tank was 40% full, checked with refuelling.