Engine Problems

A few days ago, Deb and I came down below after anchoring in Pulpit Harbor (Maine) and were greeted by a strong smell of diesel. Right away we knew we had a problem.

We opened up the engine box and found over a gallon of fuel pooled under the engine.

Job one was to pump that fuel into some empty jugs we keep onboard for oil changes. Then we had to find the source.

The video above shows our problem. We had a pinhole leak in one of our high pressure (2000psi) injector pipes and no amount of duct tape was going to patch that.

So, what do you do when you are visiting a state that is mostly unknown to you and fairly remote? Plus, what do you tell your friends that were scheduled to arrive in two days??

I got on the phone right away to John Callahan who has spent a couple months each of the last few Summers living up here and hanging out with folks that are very involved in the lobster business. My assumption was that lobster boats all have diesel engines so they must have some good ideas.

Billings Diesel & Marina was the recommendation and they were absolutely fantastic. Problem confirmed on Monday and parts ordered from Georgia. Parts arrived by end of day Tuesday. Parts installed by 10am on Wed!!!

We are now unbelievably back in action and have been joined by our friends in Southwest Harbor, Maine.

We made the best of a bad situation!!!