Fuel tank hose exit/vent

yes, three hands are better than one. I am the one that recommended  Calder's book- I had raced motorcycles for years and motors were not difficult to understand but diesels have a few particularities and once they were clear to me the running and upkeep thereof were easy to understand. If the motor won't run, it is fuel delivery only, unless there is a major obstruction to air intake such as you have blocked the intake with junk  sitting on the intake which is unlikely, then there is a fuel delivery problem. This is easy to check. I would not go back to a gasoline engine with its multiple possibilities of dysfunction-air, fuel and electrics, not to mention the risk of fire. If the system needs pumping, check for leaks-a loose connection or deformed copper washer would do this. And yes a new filter is a good idea. I have installed a water separator on the outlet from the tank-overkill? Maybe.   

two comments:
1) When I first purchased my boat, I had a similar problem. At the time, my boat had a check valve mounted on the tank outlet. This kept getting clogged with gunk. Finally I removed the check valve and never had this problem again. I'm not sure if the valve was original equipment or if the previous owner added it.
2) I found it difficult to use the engine mounted fuel primer lever. So I installed a fuel line pumper bulb in my fuel line between the tank and the engine lift pump. This is much easier to use.

Book has been ordered and I haven't seen any fuel around the engine area or tank and I do look but... will examine in more detail and really bright light tomorrow. Thank you gents, I was really nervous and you have convinced me that I can make this right (yes, me!). Y'all rock! :)bill

Someone on these forums (Frank maybe?) once mentioned Nigel Calder's book "Marine Diesel Engines: Troubleshooting, Maintenance and Repair" and after reading it myself I also highly recommend it.  The nice thing about diesels (or at least 25 year old marine diesels!) is that they are of relatively simple design without much variation from one manufacturer to the next.  I went from literally not even knowing that diesel engines have no spark plugs to feeling at least moderately confident in doing routine maintenance and simple repair jobs.

http://www.amazon.com/Marine-Diesel-Engines-Maintenance-Troubleshooting/dp/0071475354/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1372086085&sr=8-4&keywords=nigel+calder

Even as a new Laser 28 owner I've had to do this a few times now.  Once when I changed the fuel filter and at least one other time where inexplicably the fuel supply got choked off and the engine wouldn't start. Probably an air bubble.

Refer to the pictures at the following link for more info:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/1fuSg55WjavnGhxo2

Start by slightly loosening the slotted nut on the top of the fuel filer.  (see pic #1)

Then reach down below the fuel lift pump (just aft and below of the impeller housing) and your hand should find a lever. Push down on this firmly and pump until fuel starts dribbling out of the loosened nut.  If you see air bubbles, keep pumping until the air bubbles are gone, then tighten nut quickly. (see pic#2)

Turn your attention further up the line to a 10mm (I think that's the size) nut at the point where the fuel hose attaches to the cylinder head (see picture).  Here it's best to have two people.  Have lots of paper towel on hand and place some in the area below this nut.  Loosen the nut a bit using a small ratchet or nut driver.  Now, have someone in the cockpit turn the engine over while you stand by on the nut.  WATCH YOUR HANDS AROUND THE SPINNING FLYWHEEL!  (see pic #3)

Diesel will start spilling out of the loosened nut and typically quite quickly (a few cranks of the engine), the engine will catch and start.  At this point tighten up the nut very quickly until fuel stops flowing out and ask the person to kill the engine.  Clean up any spilled fuel in the area and you're done!



Edited by Winner - 17 July 2017 at 11:50pm

You are describing air in the fuel system. When it gets to the injection pump it slows down to an idle and sometimes shuts down. 

Edited by Bill Layton - 22 June 2013 at 9:32am