Photo - Changing the main engine fuel injection pump. July 2009

We needed to change the fuel injection pump due to a leak that was first discovered while Matt and I were in the isolated canals of Chile, several weeks from Ushuaia, Argentina. We tried to order a replacement pump from Westerbeke, the manufacturer, but none was available. Fortunately, the operation of the pump, and thus the engine was not affected. It was a mess to capture the leaking fuel, but the engine continued to run well for hundreds of hours. After speaking with Dennis at Lakewood Yacht Service in Seabrook, Texas, the consensus was that the new types of fuels used today have attacked the gasket to the cover housing, and that was the cause of the leak. I was just delighted that the darn thing continued to run, and we stayed on schedule!

I returned from the US with a re-manufactured replacement pump and sought out a mechanic to change the pump, the injectors, and all the sealing washers. I found Alfredo, who works in a shop here in the yacht club and set up a time for him to come and inspect the project. We had also discovered a slight fluid leak on the transmission, which needed repair.

After waiting three weeks for the mechanics to arrive, work began. Alfredo speaks English and therefore it is a lot less confusing when he is on board. After five different mechanics, lots of patience, and some luck, the transmission and fuel injection pump is removed. Access around the injection pump was limited, and removal was difficult.

As of this writing the new injection pump is installed, but not timed. The injectors are being tested and serviced, and will be installed with new sealing washers. The transmission is on the bench and I have the rebuild kit here on board.

Hopefully we will have everything back together later this week or early next week. I have asked the guys to leave their tools here overnight, hoping that they will return to this project, rather than sent to another. Good guys, but like most mechanics, who are always pulled in many directions putting out fires, you need to chain them to the boat to get the job finished.