Camanos 31 Owner's Handbook Manual - page 18
13
?
Plugged Racor fuel filter
?
Plugged engine fuel filter
?
Air in fuel lines
?
Engine cranks too slowly
?
Engine too cold
?
Plugged air filter
If the engine refuses to start as it normally does, stop trying and assess what is going on. If you keep on
cranking in the hope that the engine will suddenly spring to life, it is likely that you will kill the battery
before your dreams come true. Take a few moments to check some of the more obvious causes. If the
engine will only crank slowly, the chances are that the battery is low or the terminals need cleaning. If
it has been really cold and the boat has been without heat, it could be that the compression
temperatures are too low to cause the fuel to ignite. Try warming up the boat, or at least the engine if
auxiliary power is available. And remember, starter fluids can be deadly to pistons and connecting
rods, so if you must use them, do so sparingly. In terms of probabilities, however, the most likely cause
of the engine not starting would be electrical -- the battery, the starter, etc. The second most likely
cause would be air in the fuel system.
Poor Starting
?
Plugged Racor filter
?
Plugged engine fuel filter
?
Dirty fuel
?
Poor fuel quality
?
Plugged air filter
?
Battery low
Without repeating all of the above, it is most likely that problems of poor starting arise out of an
insufficient fuel or air supply to the engine. And of those two, it is most likely a problem with the fuel.
Check to make sure that the valves at the fuel tanks are open and that you have plenty of fuel on board.
Follow the fuel lines from the tanks to the Racor fuel filter to make sure there are no leaks (you will
probably be able to smell the diesel fuel if a leak exists). If a leak exits, then air can be introduced into
the fuel system disabling the fuel injectors. Check the Racor filter and drain if necessary. Check the
lines to the lift pump, the engine fuel filter and the injectors. If air has been introduced into the fuel
system, you will have to bleed the injectors before they can do their job.
Make sure that the fuel-return lines are OK and that the return line valves are open.
Engine Smoke
In this day and age, marine diesel engines produce a clear exhaust. There really shouldn't be any
visible smoke coming out of the exhaust when you are underway. Obviously, there is an emission of
blue-grey smoke associated with engine start-up but this clears up quickly. And, as everyone knows,
that trail of white smoke that follows you as you are motoring along is actually condensation that
disappears in less than 50 feet of travel. If you experience unusual and persistent smoke problems,
check some more.