Two engine questions

[keepondancin]

I have 2 fuel tanks with fuel lines running to a "T" then into the Racor. There is a shut off on each line. Can I run with both valves open and drawing off both tanks? Same with return lines, can I run with both open?

Second question: My older westerbeke gen set all of a sudden became hard starting. My guess is it's the glow plugs, because once started, it runs great. Plenty of cranking speed. It will start when I combine it with the main engine start battery. What is the best way to test if it is glow plugs?

Thanks

[skipmac]

I would be a little nervous about running both tanks and both returns at the same time. If both tanks are full my concern would be that some minor difference in the returning fuel like the boat heeling a bit or more resistance in one hose/valve than the other, would cause more return to one tank with a chance to overflow.

My dual tank system has one selector valve that opens the supply and return lines for one tank at a time and think I will keep it that way.

Just for curiosity, why would you want to draw off both tanks at the same time?

[Unicorn Dreams]

Pull the glow plugs,

put ammeter in the circuit, turn the key on and see if it's drawing heavy amps. Should be 0 or close to it if the glow plugs are NOT working.

[sabray]

Could be okay but there is a small chance that you could over fill one tank with the return. Why would you want to? Not much upside to doing this

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Unicorn Dreams

Pull the glow plugs,

put ammeter in the circuit, turn the key on and see if it's drawing heavy amps. Should be 0 or close to it if the glow plugs are NOT working.

Thanks, I was hoping someone would answer that one. Need to test my glow plugs as well.

Do you mean actually remove the glow plugs from the head or just remove the wiring and connect the ammeter into the circuit that feeds them?

Skip

[keepondancin]

Boy, that was fast. Reason: absent minded, lazy, not letting any fuel in a tank age longer, curious.

Glow plug question. I guess just checking voltage wouldn't work, you need to check the load, correct?