Nanni Kubota stalling at slightest heel

[Asmodeane]

So I tried looking thru the forums for any similar threads, and I couldn't find any, at least not recently posted. So forgive me if this has been extensively discussed somewhere else, just post a link to the post and I'll be out of your hair.

But anyway, here's the problem. At the end of this season I noticed that if I had any angle of heel, say even just 5 degrees, and tried starting the engine, it just wouldn't. The starter would turn but nothing would happen. However if the boat was left to remain at an even keel for a while, the engine would start fine.

I had some blockages in the fuel system before, due to diesel bug, but changed filters and added biocide, so that shouldn't be a problem anymore, at least not as acute as it used to be. Also I don't see how that would corelate with the stalling at heel and working on even keel.

Any ideas?

[tkeithlu]

If that's the only symptom, as in the only conditions under which the engine won't start, then yes, go looking for a blockage that is heel sensitive. The only other possibility that I can think of is that you might be at the very bottom of your tanks, such thta a 5 degree heel has you sucking air.

[Lepke]

There could be loops or high spots in your fuel line where air collects and is hard to remove. You could need further bleeding of the filters. You still could have a lot of dead bugs in your tank that flow toward the pickup in a heel.

When you add biocide to solve a bug problem, the usual amount is 3 times normal. Prior to using a biocide for a bad bug problem, the bugs are thruout your fuel system. Blockages could be anywhere. And over time a good fuel conditioner will slowly dissolve the sediment n the tank bottom that is usually caught by the filters. You should inspect your new filters.
I use a fuel conditioner every fueling and never have bug or water problems.

[Adelie]

Is you lube oil topped up? Some motors have a low oil shut down.

[sinnerman]

Air leaks in fuel line (fuel tank pickup tube, racor etc. ) which open up on heel.

If you have an electric fuel pump, it could be a loose wiring connection that "opens" on heel. Fuel pump stops, engine runs for a bit till it runs out of fuel and then dies.

[Stewie12]

I would check the fuel line from the tank to the motor and take it from there.

[Boatyarddog]

Originally Posted by sinnerman

Air leaks in fuel line (fuel tank pickup tube, racor etc. ) which open up on heel.

If you have an electric fuel pump, it could be a loose wiring connection that "opens" on heel. Fuel pump stops, engine runs for a bit till it runs out of fuel and then dies.

Pull the Fuel intake hose at the tank, and emmerse in a clean fuel can.
This would eliminate the pick up in the tank, I'm thinking pin holed uptake tube.
If this test solves the problem, pull the uptake tube, if possible, and inspect.
Are you finding any recurring air in the lines?
Boatyarddog

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Is you lube oil topped up? Some motors have a low oil shut down.

That would be my guess.

[malbert73]

Sure sounds like low fuel and heeling causes fuel pickup to suck air.

[degouwb]

Fill your tank and let her heel again. Bet she will start. Cheers

[Mike Banks]

You need a header tank which will be well above the engine and hold about twenty litres of diesel. I fixed mine so that it constantly polished the fuel pumped into it from the main tank through filters, and the excess pumped fuel then overflowed the header tank and drained back to the main tank.

I also think you have a surge problem in your main tank, or the pick up fitting has come adrift or is faulty.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Adelie

Is you lube oil topped up? Some motors have a low oil shut down.

My Nanni/Kubota does not have such a feature, so I doubt this one does.

Jim

[chris95040]

I’d think even if the fuel pickup were sucking air or bugs while heeled you’d still get the engine started and it would run for a few seconds before dying, right? There’s a whole lot of fuel system primed and ready to rock between the pump and the pickup.

[Cadence]

i'd go back to Adelie's post on oil pressure cut out. 5 degrees is not much. If it where fuel related the tank must be about empty. It doesn't seem like bugs would be heel discriminating.

[captlloyd]

Let us know what the problem was after you figure it out. We are always looking to increase our knowledge base.