If anyone is experiencing difficult starts their Westerbeke engines, I just wanted to share with the board that we finally have another possible solution.
After replacing glow plugs; injectors replaced/ cleaned; fuel filters replaced; fuel polished, the engine still took several revolutions to start. Many of these tasks were suggested and performed by at least 3 individual marine service departments over the course of 4 years.
(Long story but best to leave that alone for another time.)
I finally armed myself with a diesel compression test kit but thought the fuel lift pump was sounding a little odd. Within a couple of days, a new fuel pump was installed. We decided to start the engine as it needs to be warmed up to perform an more accurate compression test. Well…didn’t the engine fire up on the 2nd revolution. Thinking this was just a once in a lifetime event, we reassured ourselves with several cold morning starts, etc. Each time the engine fired up on the 2nd or 3rd revolution…even without glow plug count downs.
So after replacing fuel filters and still no success, just a simple $150 lift pump replacement may all you need to do, it’s a simple job before going into major work.
Jack Dokter
Nine Lives 1983 26C W21 #099
Penetanguishene, Ont
Thor’s mention of the Facet fuel pump made me think of my fuel pump problems some years ago – I had not realized there was a filter incorporated at one end of the pump and had never changed it. Paid the price. Now have a replacement Facet, a spare Facet and a bunch of replacement filters. Engine much happier too.
I encountered similar problems with that lift pump, went to some length to discover the cause of a poor starting engine. I suspect if the fuel tank were below the engine it wouldn’t have started at all.
I’m having trouble believing a lift pump can cause a hard starting problem unless they are not working at all and in that case it may fire but not run. As a mechanic, I’ve found that most fuel pump problem symptoms are lack of power, particular at high RPMs, when the engine gets starved for fuel.
Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Joe,
I too was a mechanic and had a difficult time believing this myself. But it is what it is…
I’m going to perform an autopsy on the old unit to see what’s going on. Maybe it just didn’t have the proper flow to purge through the fuel rails??? Btw, all the fuel filters were replaced so that had nothing to do with it.
The repair manual does suggest that the lift pump requires a fuel flow test to ensure the proper amount of fuel/time is met.
Jack,
I own a NS 36 and see that in one of your posts you mention that the westerbeke 52 engine block is a Mitsubishi K3D .This is something I’ve been trying to find out for the last 15 years. I you would please confirm this I could avoid Westerbeke parts and their prices .thank you.
Fritz
Your engine is likely a K4* model. To verify your engine block number is to find the embossed 3 characters located on the side of the engine just above the injector pump. The characters are about an inch tall . If it’s a tough challenge to wrap your head around to see, I used a small digital camera and took several photos before I finally found them.
I have a photo of mine if your interested. That would give you an idea what your looking for and roughly where to look.
I’m not sure what the K means, but the 3 or 4 signifies the number of cylinders and I’m guessing the next alpha character represents the bore size or HP.
Jack Dokter
