Westerbeke 27: SELF BLEEDING FUEL LINE?

[Shirley Cheung, Nonsuch 30C, Toronto, Ontario]

Hello all,

I am getting into my winterization procedure ; my first-ever winterzation !

I replaced replaced my engine oil and oil filter. Started the engine. No problem!

Today, I replaced all 3 fuel filters successfully. Then I opened the fuel line and fired up the engine...and it would NOT start! Obviously, i turned ON the fuel valve in the fuel tank.

My engine is a self-bleeding system and has NO manual lever or pump and so I did:-

-Open FULL throttle

- Turn and depress key to ON position for 10 seconds for glow plug

-Start the engine

Struggle so much to start and i crank for about 10 seconds

Then I turn down the throttle to shut the engine off

I let the engine to cool for 3 minutes while keeping the key in the ON position( without depressing it) and keep FULL throttle

===

I keep repeating the above procedure. After 5 times, I successfully started the engine. I could hear the exhaust water coming out

However, it dies down again when I turn the throttle to 2000 RPM. It seems the engine cannot stay a lower than full throttle

==

What should I do? Should I repeat the same procedure again?

Is there an AIR SCREW that I need to unscrew and where is that located?

So frustrated. After days of hard work and the engine would not start....:(

Thank you for all your tips!

Shirley

[jim falcon]

Hi Shirley,

I had a very similar problem.  As most people in this group will tell you, the problem is fuel related, and most likely the seating of a filter. 

If you have a Racor filter, the problem could be the placement of the O-ring.  It is usually difficult to keep it in its groove before fastenning the top.  If the O-ring is not properly in place air will enter the system causing issues similar to yours..

A solution is to wipe the O-ring with Vaseline to make it sticky and stay in its groove.  Others might suggest other substances, but the point is to make sure there is a proper fit with no air leaks.

Let us know if this or another solution worked for you.

Jim Falcon

Ballybay NS 30U #357

Warren, RI

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[Rob Cohen "Soave" NS33 Westport, CT]

Hi Shirley,

Soave has a Universal diesel, so I hesitate to offer advice, other than to say hang in and don't get frustrated.  What you learn now, will pay dividends in the future.

I've heard stories of folks getting tripped up by a marginal fuel pump that has trouble moving fuel after the system has been opened up for changing filters.  Be open to that possibility, after eliminating the more probable causes.

Keep at it, you will prevail.

Rob

s/v SOAVE

NS33 #009

Cedar Point YC

Westport, CT

 

[Shirley Cheung]

Hello Jim 

Here is my photos

I only have a O ring between the bowl and the racor filter elements

I filled up the racor to 75% only . Maybe I go to fill up to 100% this time 

I also changed the other 2 filters … will try to tighten and make sure the O rings there are good too

See photos

Thanks

Shirley 

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[jim falcon]

Shirley,

Yes, it is the O ring between the bowl and the racor filter.  Please check to see if it is properly secured in the groove within the bowl.

On another matter, we like to see users sign their messages using the boat name, model, #, and location.

Jim Falcon

Ballybay NS 30U # 357

Warren, RI 02885

On Sep 19, 2025, at 11:08 AM, Shirley Cheung <shirley...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello Jim 

Here is my photos

I only have a O ring between the bowl and the racor filter elements

I filled up the racor to 75% only . Maybe I go to fill up to 100% this time 

I also changed the other 2 filters … will try to tighten and make sure the O rings there are good too

See photos

Thanks

Shirley 

<IMG_5676.jpeg>

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[Shirley Cheung]

Hi Jim

Thanks 

I just replied through my gmail and my signature is probably not displayed

Thanks

Shirley 

Shirley cheung 

Shamrock NS30C #183

Whitby, Canada 

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[Joe Valinoti]

Shirley:  After you get this sorted out, in the future, change your procedure to include turning the key on without cranking and let the pump run for a good minute.  Self bleeding works because you have an electric pump.  Listen for the pump clicking.  If everything is OK, the clicking should slow down measurably or stop when the system has bled the air out.  Then you can glow plug and start.  Also, the W-27 glow plug system should be at least 18 seconds long to get hot enough with a cold engine.

 

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

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[Joe Valinoti]

Shirley:  Do you have a photo that is not co close in??

 

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

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[Shirley Cheung]

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[Patricia Kelly]

Shirley,

Once you solve this, all of us would like to know the cause and solution.

Jim Falcon

Ballybay NS 30U #357

Warren, RI 02885

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[Don Crossley]

Shirley,

You may want to check that the kill cable lever in the cockpit lock is fully down. And in the engine compartment that it is in the run position. You may have somehow moved it while working on the engine. I once had trouble staring my engine and it was just the kill cable not fully returned to run position.

Cheers

Don

[Joe Valinoti]

Good point, Don.  However, I thought she said it did fire once.

 

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

~~~~~(\_ ~(\_ ~(\_~~~~~~~~~~

From: Don Crossley

Sent: Friday, September 19, 2025 5:18 PM

To: INA Nonsuch Discussion Group

Subject: Re: Westerbeke 27: SELF BLEEDING FUEL LINE?

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[Shirley Cheung]

Yes I fired it many times… it struggled but at the end, it started. It is only when I lower to 2000rpm from 4000rpm (full throttle) that it dies out . I am waiting for my Racor bowl next Monday and hope this can resolve

There is a leak in the racor bowl seal when the electric fuel pumps operate . No leak when it stops . So I guess the non-brand bowl cannot handle the pressure

Thanks

Shirley 

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[Shirley Cheung, Nonsuch 30C, Toronto, Ontario]

Hello all,

I finally got my fuel filter problem fixed and started the engine properly! 

The problem was my "electric fuel pump" not working properly and the air was still trapped inside the fuel system. I discovered there is a manual pump on top of my racor fuel/water separator unit. See photo attached. I opened the air vent (the silver nut valve), opened the black knob and pulled it up. I started pumping until I hear no more air bubble coming from the primary filter. I did not open any "bleed nuts"...I only "listened" until no air bubble "noise"

BIG LESSON LEARNT! Sometimes, we really cannot rely on the electric fuel pump...it keeps making click click click but in reality, it isn't pumping any fuel out!