I just thought I'd try asking for help on this forum, as I'm a bit of a novice on engines and have a Beta Marine 14 that won't fire up:
The engine died on me on my way into the harbour a couple of weeks back. I noticed the idle was a bit low, and when I tried to increase throttle the rpms didn't increase. I turned it off, and when i tried starting it again it would run badly then die if i gave throttle. Now it will not start at all.
I have tried changing the fuel filter, and bleed the engine from the top screw after the filter - diesel comes out and no bubbles when pumping the lift pump manually.
Are there any other things I can try? What else could be wrong?
The engine turns around fine when I run the starter, and it sounds as if it almost starts up but never really fires - after trying the 3 x 20 seconds start tries as recommended in the operators manual, I could even feel the engine block was a bit warmer.
I suspect that you are on the right track with tracing a fuel problem. Check your air filter and also that your fuel is clean with no water in it. Try starting the engine with the throttle set at about 1/3 speed.
It will be helpful if you provide some more information. What primary fuel filter/water separator is fitted between the fuel tank and the engine? How old is the engine? How many hours on it?
Thank you for your quick answer. I have replaced the air filter and the diesel filter. We tried starting the engine at various throttle speeds (also at 1/3 as mentioned in the manual) with no luck.
The water\fuel seperator is a bit tricky to get at, but I think it says Lucas 76-096. It does not have any see-through parts. If I open the bottom screw, diesel comes out. Also diesel flows if we open any of the top screws.
I think the engine was bought new and installed in 2005. I am not sure how many hours are on it. It is installed in an Albin Vega sailboat, and it's mostly been used recreationally as far as I am aware.
Maybe I should try bypassing the fuel filter and running the inlet hose from a clean can of diesel, would that help eliminate the separator as a possible issue?
[EDIT: Today I tried unscrewing the thin metal pipes that go to the injectors. When turning the engine over on the starter, only the one closest to the back of the engine had diesel coming out of it while the other was dry. If one of the pistons are getting fuel in it, should the engine not at least sputter or run slow?]
Martin
-- Edited by Snufle on Monday 17th of September 2012 05:44:43 PM
Because your engine failed while motoring, I suspect that you may have an issue with the exhaust. Can you possibly post a photo of the exhaust layout behind the engine?
Check the oil level in the engine on the dipstick and also unscrew the oil filler cap and look inside. Does it look like clean oil or does there appear to be some different substance (also the inside of the filler cap!)?
The CAV296 filter that you described is a good one an the elements are available almost everwhere. When you drained the fuel at the bottom of the filter, you say the diesel was clean so we can eliminate water in the fuel. If you have replaced the fuel filter on the engine you should be good there.
