westerbeke rpm drop

[flyin2009]

My Westerbeke 13 refused to start a couple weeks back. After a few days I found a poor connection to the fuel pump and replaced it. While checking for the problem I opened the fuel filter and also cracked the first injector. After getting her running again I have a new problem where after running for 15 minutes or so the rpm's will drop to about quitting and then she heads back up and continues. Never dies, just drops off. I'm thinking perhaps air in the system but I don't know how to bleed her to find out. Does anyone have any ideas on this? Thanks in advance...now to the clogged head.

[wwilson]

Originally Posted by flyin2009

I'm thinking perhaps air in the system but I don't know how to bleed her to find out. Does anyone have any ideas on this?

I bleed the air from the fuel line after a primary or secondary fuel filter change by cracking the #1 injector for a few seconds as the engine runs - just as you indicated. Try it again before moving on to other methods - if it is air it should get forced past the injector. Tighten the injector with the engine running (limping).

Wayne

[flyin2009]

Thanks for the response! I'm going to try that in the morning as well as checking the electrical connector I installed. It seemed a tad small and I didn't get a good crimp on it. I thought that if it was air it should have pushed through by now but I don't know a lot about diesels. Learning fast though and even though problems never occur at the right time, you do end up learning more about your boat. And that's a good thing.
Cheers, Jeff