Scr 3500 7.2 westerbeke fuel tank help

[Mbam]

Hi Guys,

I have spent a lot of time to get the generator to run great. Now a few weeks later I have went to start it up and find her not starting. Checked all the usual suspects and everything works as it should. Now I am wondering how much fuel needs to be in my feeder tank. Starboard tank is just below 50% it has 60 gallons of fuel. I do not want to pull the fuel tube to measure. Does anyone know what it the typical amount of fuel required to run it. I dropped a little fuel manually and she runs great.

Any info would be appreciated.

[mmwjr]

60 gallons is plenty of fuel as just like the engine the generator draws fuel from the bottom of the tank. Sounds like it’s not getting fuel. Check the filter, pump, and anti siphon valve.

[Mbam]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

60 gallons is plenty of fuel as just like the engine the generator draws fuel from the bottom of the tank. Sounds like it’s not getting fuel. Check the filter, pump, and anti siphon valve.

I was told by a few boaters that the dip tube for generators was only half the depth of the tank to not exceed use so you don’t get stuck does that sound like something you have heard before. It made sense to me. I just replaced the fuel pump and had just over a half a tank when I did so. I took the boat out twice and tried it after those trips and she never fired back up. I dropped a touch of gas directly in the carb and she ran. I am going to pull the filter and replace as well as the water separator filter. Thanks for your reply.

[mmwjr]

Curious to what you find.

[Mbam]

I’ll let ya know when I rip it apart. Waiting on some parts from westerbeke then I’ll circle back.

[donald]

The dip tube being snot going to the bottom of the tank is common in rvs.
I would just fill the tank and see if it starts, you going to need fuel sometime antway.

Don

[Mbam]

Originally Posted by donald

The dip tube being snot going to the bottom of the tank is common in rvs.
I would just fill the tank and see if it starts, you going to need fuel sometime antway.

Don

That’s what my suspicion was. I wish I know the depth of the dip tube.

[donald]

Fill it to 3/4 full and see what happens.
I would think that with that amount of fuel it would start unless there is some other problem.

Don

[Mbam]

The fuel pump was fried, it is so crazy because I replaced it to get it running n the first place faucet pumps in my opinion are not the way to go. Ended up getting a warranty replacement now it is running perfect nay to find after about thirty minutes she sputters and dies out. I let it cool for five minutes and the same thing. Dies every thirty minutes. Has to be a safety sensors

[shrew]

Crack open the fuel fill cap, then test it again. You might have partially clogged vent line. IF only partially clogged, you might have a condition where it can move some air, until a vacuum builds.

The air has to be able flow in at the same rate as the fuel is flowing out. On a diesel, significantly more fuel flows than is actually burnt, the remainder is sent back to the tank on the return fuel line.

If the genny runs without issue with the fill cap removed, then check the fuel vent line and through hull. Often there is a mesh screen to keep out bugs. This aluminum screen can corrode and get blocked. Often it is just the vent through hull that needs to be replaced.

[Mbam]

Thank you for that, I will check that this weekend when I go to the boat. Again, it's so strange it runs for thirty then sputters out. I let it cool for five and the same thing again. Makes me think it's one of the temp or oil sensors. Just don't want to throw money at it though.

[shrew]

alternatively, you could run it and let it die, then crack the fuel fill. If it sucks air, there is a vacuum.

Get the manual and look at the circuit board. There should be lights on the board that tell you what is going on.

EXAMPLE:

Check engine LED's are illuminated.
1.Diagnostic software required.
2. ( 0 Sensor I Low Battery )

Speed LED's are illuminated-no flashing.
1. Throttle shaft sticking.
2.lntake manifold vacuum leak.

Pair of Speed LED's are illuminated - flashing.
1 ~AC generator overload.
2.Fuel starvation.

External alarm LED is illuminated.
1.Loose connection.
2.Faulty fire suppression shutdown devise.
3.1ncorrect setting on shutdown device (contacts should n/c)

Engine runs for 15 +/- seconds, then shuts down. The SPEED LED illuminates AFTER the engine shuts down
1. Oil Pressure Switch (#037323)
2. T~Relay (053555)


Engine starts, runs for 20-30 seconds then Overspeeds. Shuts down with Overspeed
LEOs ON.
1. Air in Friel System.