Westerbeke Problem Has me Stumped!

[Dawn Norakas]

My westerbeke 7.2 bcgtc has me stumped. After an hour of being out of the slip and tied up with friends. The generator starts to die then it restarts itself. After about 3 times of doing this it finally just dies. Let me list you everything we have done to resolve this and maybe you can tell me what I'm missing.

1. Replaced fuel pump
2. Replaced battery
3. Replaced impeller twice
4. Replaced mother board
5. Soaked heat exchanger in muradic acid
6. Replaced water hose
7. Replaced choke silenoid
8. Replaced fuel filter
9. Checked thermostat
10. Added a engine compartment fan
11. We have put external gauges on and the temp reads 160
12. We have ran it with no loads. Some loads and all loads
13. We changed oil and filter
14. We replaced exhaust manifold gasket

Things we haven't tried

1. We haven't tried new plugs and wires
2. We haven't replaced all the sensors but we did it the end of last summer
3. We haven't replaced the exhaust elbow

Please help!!!!!!

 

[electricaldoctor]

points?

 

[dwna1a]

Ok, mine just did the same thing. I hired a mechanic and this is what I was told. The carbs are very sensitive to trash in the lines, VERY! He pulled the carb, drained the bowl and rebuilt the thing, he found a very fine sand or grit in the bowl. Replaced the carb after rebuild, no issues. If you pour a small amount of fuel, while someone tries to start the thing and it even tries to start, that's the problem.

 

[PlayDate]

My bet is on the carb as well if it ran ok last season. The carbs job is to maintain rpm. Different loads cause the carb to open and close to maintain the rpm. If there is any grit in the fuel bowl or metering jet ....it will behave as you describe. Basically it runs out of fuel for the load it has then it starts to "hunt" to keep the engine running. You eliminated most of the other issues which would be suspect. I doubt it is a safety's issue. It could be a bad connector (broken wire) in the ignition harness (that one drove me and Westerbeke crazy for a week). I would start with the carb.

-John

 

[nemo]

Your Genset has a inline fuel filter too. Pull the fuel line,and you will find a basket mico filter. The filter has partially collasped. With a pencil,eraser end, reform the basket, clean of any material and reinstall.

 

[dwna1a]

It's fuel starved... Filter first just as Nemo said, then the carb it's self, pull it clean it and rebuild....

 

[rcknecht]

What about the governor? Is there any oil leaking out of it? How is the spring? I would change the plugs... Use the large plug socket and flexible extension is helpful...

 

[dpmulvey]

Check to see if the exhaust is plugged with crud. They are very sensative to excess back pressure as well as fuel starvation.