Engine cut out and won't restart

[dignity]

Hi All

My Volvo Penta MD2020 diesel suddenly cut out today while in neutral in port. I's been faultless for 20 years and only done about 500 hours in total.

It won't restart. It sounds like fuel not getting through. Battery is fine. I am about to check the oil but its hardly been used since a service a couple of years ago.

Can lack of oil stop a diesel engine ?

Thanks for any advice
Andy

[zaphod]

Yes lack of oil could definitely stop the engine, but you likely would have had an oil pressure alarm long before that happened.

If the boat has been sitting for a long time you could have a clogged fuel filter. Stuff grows in diesel when it sits for a long time, particularly if there is some water in the tank, which is also likely if the tank wasn't full while it was sitting all that time.