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Mechanics: Brunswick or St. Simons Island, Ga?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Boston whaler, Jul 1, 2019.

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  1. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Does anyone know of a capable DD mechanic in the Brunswick - St. Simons Is, Ga. area? Any info on a "jack of all trades" type of guy would also be useful.
    Thanks for any info offered - still chasing gremlins out of an old girl.
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    There really is not a DD heavy up there.
    What is it you need?
  3. motoryachtlover

    motoryachtlover Senior Member

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    Have you tried calling Brunswick landing marina? There is a lady there that answers the phone and she is a little gruff but is very helpful. BTW the last time I was there the Brunswick landing yard was not highly regarded. She would tell u that as well.

    Also I think Williams DD serves that area.
  4. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Thanks. I drove by the yard last time I was down and it didn't look terribly well managed which is usually a good tip off as to quality of services. I'll try the marina for leads. Morningstar over by St Simons didn't know of anyone.
  5. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Cap. Ralph: most immediate issue is fuel related and likely a fuel pump that gave up the ghost as lines and filters all look clear. I'm not physically down there or would probably do that change myself and could probably have a general mechanic address that item. Other one is engine oil leaking somewhere near top of the engine (8-71VTI) as oil is pooling up in that area. Not sure what that could be and what I was interested in finding a DD guy for to check it out.
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Detroit fuel pumps use meshed gears to move fuel. If dry, or holding a air pocket, they don't pump.
    They do not self prime worth a hoot.
    Oil leak on the top of a 8v71 uh? Sounds normal. :cool:
    The governor assembly, fuel pump, control rod tubes, blower end cover gaskets, blower/air box gasket, Air inlet gasket, drive O seal, Rear block vents and valve cover gaskets are all the usual suspects.

    New boat to you? Dock queen?
    Make and style?

    I can recommend my mobile Detroit team if needed. Based out of west Jacksonville, they work from Port Canaveral to Charleston.

    Before I retired, I worked Brunswick often. There is just not many good techs in the area.
  7. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Cape. Ralph:
    It's a beautiful area to cruise albeit with some tricky shoaling and currents.
    You nailed it. New boat to me - aluminum raised pilothouse, flybridge custom design. Semidisplacement trawler type built by Paasch Marine (Erie Pa.) in 1971 at 52' and extended and retrofit in 1997 by Rybovitch to add cockpit and swim platform/fuel tank.
    Spent October to April in Lauderdale getting engines, gen sets, hull and other systems' maintenance up to date, but still blocking and tackling.
  8. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Let me know if you need my Detroit team. It usually takes a couple of weeks (or more) to get on site.
  9. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Capt. Ralph:
    Thank you for the kind offer. I may take you up on it, but first want to get her turning over and then see if I can narrow down the source of the oil leak. As to the fuel issue, I fired up the engines to exercise them and port engine started and ran fine. Watched oil pressure come up and went off to do other things while they came up to temp. About 5 min later noticed the rumble was lighter then before and checked to find port engine had cut off. Racor clean and no pressure spike on its vacuum gauge. Fuel clear etc., but couldn't get her to fire off again. That is why I am thinking fuel pump.
    The most challenging thing for me is going to be the learning curve on becoming a diesel mechanic, plumber, electrician, electronics and electrolysis master all wrapped up into one. Lot of systems on this girl!
  10. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Spike on the vacuum gauge? Restriction; Fuel tank pick-up, fuel tank valve, tank vent, primary filter check ball stuck and others.
    Detroit fuel pumps do not just die. Leak yes, just die; NO.

    Good luck.
  11. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I AGREE. It sounds to me like you are sucking air, or have a restriction on the fuel line. Try filling both the primary and secondary filters with fuel and starting it and seeing what happens again. I've had several boats over the years with those soda can sized fuel priming pumps in line, and the plastic check valves went bad in them and caused the motor to get air into the system when sitting for a few weeks and would have to prime the engine to get it running. Check there.
  12. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Worth a shot. Fuel is getting through up to a manifold that splits to cover other DD and two gen sets, all of which are starting/running fine so good to that point. Capt Ralph may have misread last message- there was NOT a spike on the Racor and it is full and fuel clear up to that point. Could be something going on between Racor and injectors. But, would she have run for 5+ minutes before shutting down if that were the case?
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    It takes so little fuel for these engines to idle.
    There is a restriction or air leak from that manifold to the engine.
  14. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Sounds like I need to get back down there and start checking and eliminating the possible culprits - at least the territory to focus on is fairly contained. Thanks to both of you for the input it has been helpful and much appreciated. I'll let you know how it turns out.
  15. boatpoor

    boatpoor Active Member

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    Did you check the emergency shutdown flap on the inlet side of the blower?
  16. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    Yes- as engine had been running, third thing I checked. Headed down to the boat on Monday and will report back. I'm placing a bet on bad seal in the fuel pump, but have a checklist of items to run through first based on the great input I got from more experienced folks on the site.
  17. boatpoor

    boatpoor Active Member

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    Make sure the rotors are turning in the blower when the engine turns over. You'll have to take some bolts out to see this but we had a couple of 471s and a 6V53 that would occasionally break the quilt shaft that drives the blower. The 8v71(318) truck engines also had some of the same issues.
  18. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The gear driven shaft seal usually would leave a puddle of fuel below it if it has a fuel side seal issue.
    You will check it to get it off your mind. Don't know how your going to check it out but let us know what you find. But that is not it.
    Snapped blower shaft happens. Maybe the shaft keeper first. Ah, Er I'm not there either.

    71s did not develop the reputation of the most dependable engine ever with these issues.

    Something has been induced.
    You mentioned that the engines were serviced? Pull that work order out and go over what was fondled.

    I have found cut O rings under the T handle, Stuck Racor check balls, stepped on and damaged fuel lines, empty fuel tanks, Leaking fuel control valves, bad hoses and more before I have found a sudden Detroit issue as you explained.
    If your new to these motors, you have to check it out and learn as many do.
  19. Boston whaler

    Boston whaler New Member

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    You folks certainly know your stuff and I very much appreciated the input on the DD engines.
    She in fact did lose prime and had to pump fuel into the port on the fuel pump to get it to fire. Oil leak was due to previous owner using split lock washers on oil cooler bolts instead of the DD recommended type which create a good seal.

    As I am still chasing Gremlins, I have a couple that will require a haulout - does anyone have good experience with a full service yard in either Georgia or S.C. that can handle 65' - 17' beam ~ 75,000 lb. Need service on Niads, prop shaft/engine alignment (can't do it in water), replace water maker etc. Looking for an outfit that does good work, stands behind it and you would return to for future work - Diogenes search - for those of you that had the nuns in grade school.
    Need to stay north of Fla line for insurance till H season ends so looking north of Brunswick where boat is presently moored.
    Any thoughts on the good, the bad and the ugly would be appreciated.
  20. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    You're insurance company should allow you to come to Jacksonville for ships service only during the hurricane season. You will be on the hill.
    If not, wait till the hurricane season is over and come down to Saint Johns River Boatyard in Mayport Florida or Huckins Yacht center in Jax.