If I run out of fuel, what do I need to do?

[Tony Tommasello]

First do not attempt to restart the engine. Doing so may let it re-start if some fuel (diesel) has been able to equilibrate into the line. Sail to the nearest fuel station and fill your tank. Try to re-start but don't exceed the recommended duration of cranking unless you first close the raw water intake to insure that the muffler does not overfill and create a hydrostatic lock.

If the engine does not re-start you will have to reprime the injectors.

[dennismenace111]

Take note...you dont want to be cranking that engine trying to bleed it for long periods of time...you WILL suck up raw water into your cylinders unless you close that thru hull if you crank for more than a few seconds.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by Tony Tommasello

First do not attempt to restart the engine. Doing so may let it re-start if some fuel (diesel) has been able to equilibrate into the line. Sail to the nearest fuel station and fill your tank. Try to re-start but don't exceed the recommended duration of cranking unless you first close the raw water intake to insure that the muffler does not overfill and create a hydrostatic lock.

If the engine does not re-start you will have to reprime the injectors.

Obviously written by someone who does not have experience with a diesel engine.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by dennismenace111

you WILL suck up raw water into your cylinders unless you close that thru hull if you crank for more than a few seconds.

This appears to be a tad alarmist. My cockpit control panel says for not more than 30 seconds. Quite a difference. Of course, much would depend on the volume of the muffler and the gpm of the raw water pump.

[MarkSF]

Concerning the original post, this was precisely the reason I service the engine myself, so that I understand it better and am familiar with procedures like bleeding the fuel system.

[dennismenace111]

An old pilot once told me that when the engines quit....he didn't run out of gas, rather, he filled the tanks full of air!