Well, I finally got the diesel heater running, and there was much rejoicing, (5 degrees F this morning) but I may have created another problem in the process.
I didn't realize there was an electric shut off valve on the main fuel tank, so didn't turn on the key. This meant that the fuel pump for the heater was sucking on a closed valve. During the process at one point, I decided to check the sump on the fuel filter, figuring, maybe it was plugged with guck and that was why I wasn't getting fuel to the heater.
When I opened it, it sucked air into the bowl instead of draining the sediment bowl. I am now afraid I introduced air into the fuel system. (The bubbles coming up the bowl was a strong hint) I still haven't started the engine, and probably won't until April 15th. Hopefully I will have pulled my head out by then. On the plus side, the bubbles told me what the problem with the heater was.
Any advice on if there is an option to get the air out of there before sucking it into the main engine driven fuel pump? I have never bled a diesel, but have read about how to do it in the Westerbeke book and here.
Dave,
Try to start the engine. If it wont start you know the problem. Dont fear bleeding the engine. It's really not a big deal, especially tied up to a dock. It's a process you should be confident doing at the dock, because sooner or later you will have to do it at sea.
Randy
I would also change the plumbing for your heater. That is a powered open solenoid valve and will suck amps anytime you have the key on. I also doubt that it was designed for continuous use that you will have in Alaska on the heater either. Many people use a separate tank for their heaters, a day tank or some such. It wouldn't be hard to install a T-fitting where the fuel line exits the main tank as a quick and easy fix.
Cheers!
Wayne.
(In Georgetown today, 82 degrees, no heater required!)
Thanks Wayne. I was wondering about the draw on the pump. It is a solenoid valve like you mentioned, you can hear it click when it is on. The weird thing is that when I went to turn the heater off, I decided to turn off the pump first, figuring that it would slowly starve the heater of fuel. I turned it off, but the heater still ran like before. Then I turned off the key, and the DC buss, and the battery bank, and the heater still continued to run. The pump was defiantly off, no clicking of the solenoid. Eventually, I just turned it off at the unit.
I am assuming this means that once flow is established, it will siphon feed to stove from the main fuel tank. Our heater is located low on the bulkhead near the main mast on the other side of the wall from the shower. http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab16/daveanddella/image_zpsb6e7f869.jpg I assumed that turning off the power would close the solenoid operated valve on the tank, but it obviously didn't. If it works to use the pump to start, but run off the tank at anchor, no need for a day tank. If not, I was thinking about where to install it. Inside the shower is a possibility, but I don't really like that. On the bulkhead next to the table up high in the cabin is another possibility.
We did start the engine yesterday and it ran like a champ! Didn't run for too long since we were using the hose in a bucket method to run water through the raw water system and had already dumped about 10 gallons in the bilge accidentally. But we know it runs, water exits out the exhaust, and nothing caught fire. Progress! ;D
Nothing that wasn't supposed to catch fire that is. I had a momentary panic when Della held down the glow plug and I started seeing smoke coming out of the engine compartment! Grabbed the fire extinguisher, and then noticed it was coming out of the air cleaner, perfectly explainable, but wasn't expecting that......
Glad I figured that out before squeezing the trigger on the fire extinguisher :o