Sailing the Karina C

After the injector rebuild, the motor was still reluctant to start. Would shut off at times and seemed to be starving for fuel. A few days ago, in desperation, I took the bleed nut off the fuel injection pump and tried to pump fuel with he manual lever on the fuel lift pump. NOTHING. So, I took the fuel lift pump off and put a finger on either end of the pump. NOTHING AGAIN. OK, I think we have a problem (dead diaphragm). I took the old one off to Bent (mechanic next door to our marina) and he ordered a new one for us. Luckily, the new one was back here today. After a little begging at some of the diesel mechanics around here, I decided to attempt the install myself. Anita was a great help and, between the two of us, we managed to wrestle the new pump onto the motor. It was certainly a lot easier to do this job with the galley reno done as there is a lot more room to work on that side of the motor. After the pump was reinstalled the moment of truth: IT STARTED - AND RAN SMOOTHLY! Anita is convinced I am a better mechanic than I ever thought I am. I just want to be a musician for now. We left the motor running for 15 minutes and all went well. We have some cleanup to do, then finish loading the boat for overnight, then we are ready to head off for a cruise. I think we might try to head out for the day next Wednesday. I am aching to walk Newcastle Island again. We haven't been out there since the fall.