Universal 5411 diesel problem

[Texfreebird]

I have a 5411 Universal diesel engine for my sailboat. I am having problems with it where it would run for less then 30 minutes then die like it was starving for fuel. It would not immediately restart but if I waited 30 or more minutes I would be able to restart it.

I changed out the fuel filter and also the prefilter which was pretty fouled. i have lined back up the tank to the engine (tank is full) and have followed the bleed procedure for the engine but cannot even get fuel back into the prefilter. I have disconnected the fuel line at the fuel shut-off valve on both sides. The valve and fuel lines on both sides are clear.

So I would appreciate any help on what my issue can be. I was assuming the fuel line up the prefilter would naturally fill with fuel but am I wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated! I am dieing to get the boat back out on the water.

Thanks,

Rick

[dabnis]

You might want to check your tank vent
or the pick up tube may have debris that
is being sucked up after a while and then
dropping off after the engine shuts down.
Also, watch the fuel lines for kinking under
vacuum. I have had a case where a fuel
line was collapsing inside the line. After
everything else, consider replacing the lines
one at a time. I think if it was an air leak it
would be more consistent? Let us know
what you find, always interesting to know.

Dabnis

[JimsCAL]

Filter or prefilter will only "naturally" fill if its below the fuel level in the tank. Bleeding on the 5411 requires cranking the engine since you have a mechanical fuel lift pump. Engage the decompression and the engine will crank easily while you bleed. A blocked tank vent or pickup tube as dabnis suggests are possibilities. Or a blockage somewhere or an air leak.

[rcasper]

Hi Rick,

I am trying to troubleshoot what seems to be a very similiar issue w/ my Universal 5411. Same exact symptoms. Please post if you find the root cause, I am very interested. Thanks.

-Rob.

[Bateau25]

Should bleed the system up to the top of the injectors with the decompression lever pulled in. After bleeding the secondary filter, bleed the injector pump and then the top of the injectors. Just crack both nuts on the feed line to the injectors, crank for a few seconds until no more bubbles and only diesel spurts out and tighten the nuts while cranking. If this is done properly she should fire up.

Don't forget to close the raw water intake valve when repeatedly cranking the 5411 to get the fuel lift pump to work, or the water lift muffler might fill up and water could backflow into the cylinders through the exhaust valves. If that happens then you've got much bigger problems.

I also have a 5411 and to facilitate bleeding the fuel system after every filter change and when troubleshooting I added an electric fuel pump (Facet 40106 - aroung $50) with an inline filter between the tank and the primary filter. It is wired with its own fuse (3 amps) and manual switch and used only when bleeding the system. Under normal operations I do not switch it on, don't worry as it will not block fuel flow when its off as the pump is a flow-thru design. It makes bleeding the fuel lines and filling up the primary and secondary filters a breeze without having to crank the engine!

Bateau25

[wescarroll]

Make sure your lift(fuel pump from tank to engine) isn't overheating and shutting down. Had that problem when I first got my boat, replaced the pump and that was that, 10 years ago.