[C320-list] Fuel Filter

[Robert Seastream]

We sail out of Great Bay Marina in Newington, NH, six miles up the  
Piscataqua River from Portsmouth harbor.  We've been through the CC  
canal many times, often staying at Onset Marina.  It's as close as we  
can get with the boat to Wareham, where my aunt has kept a summer  
place for almost 50 years.  We've not cruised the 'inner' cape,  
although I've often mentioned to my wife that Wellfleet (among other  
towns), looked like an interesting place to visit.

Bob

On Jun 19, 2010, at 8:12 AM, Joseph Aberdale wrote:

> I'm in Wellfleet on Cape Cod.  Do you sail out of Portsmouth?
>
>
> On Jun 18, 2010, at 3:09 PM, Robert Seastream wrote:
>
>> Joe:
>>
>> The filter mounted on the engine is the secondary filter.  I just  
>> changed the primary filter (Racor, which includes a water  
>> separator), located under the aft bunk.  The primary Racor filter  
>> is much like a 'spin on' engine oil filter, with an additional  
>> plastic water catch bowl fitted underneath it.  That bowl also has  
>> fittings to drain just water, or water and fuel. When changing that  
>> primary filter, put a Pampers diaper (or something similar), and a  
>> small aluminum roasting pan under the filter to catch the ~8 oz of  
>> fuel you end up with once that primary filter is unscrewed.  Next,  
>> screw the new filter in place.  Then, open the fuel tank valve and  
>> return to the Racor filter.  You'll notice a 'star' shaped plastic  
>> fitting on top of the Racor filter fitting.  Unscrew it and pump,  
>> thus priming/filling the Racor assembly with fuel.  You'll know  
>> you're done when it gets hard to pump.  You'll also have to bleed  
>> air out of the system after either filter change, else the engine  
>> will start, run a bit, then shut down when it encounters air  
>> bubbles rather than fuel.  To do that, go to the 'banjo' fitting on  
>> the engine (after the secondary 'on engine' filter), loosen that  
>> fitting a bit, and continue 'pumping' fuel at the Racor until  
>> bubbles stop and pure fuel flows from the loosened fitting.  Then,  
>> tighten the 'banjo' fitting and try starting the engine.  Giving  
>> credit where due, I didn't know this procedure; Jeff Hare told me.
>>
>> Given your hull number, our boats are siblings or cousins.  I'm in  
>> NH.  Where are you located?
>>
>> Bob Seastream
>> Intuition # 906
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 18, 2010, at 2:24 PM, Paul Rickman wrote:
>>
>>> Yes, there is a fuel shut off on top of the fuel tank. Make sure  
>>> you use it. Otherwise, your bilge will
>>> fill up with fuel.
>>>
>>> The filter on the engine -- I use a screw driver and hit it  
>>> lightly until the housing turns and then finish
>>> by hand. There are ridges that the driver can fit into.
>>>
>>> The bigger filter is a spin on spin off. Use an oil filter wrench.  
>>> I use a lid from a spray paint can
>>> to drain some of the fuel out before spinning it off.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>> Affinity 657
>>> Bay Bridge Marina
>>> Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ________________________________
>>> From: Joseph Aberdale <summerwind3 at comcast.net>
>>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>>> Sent: Fri, June 18, 2010 2:09:31 PM
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Fuel Filter
>>>
>>> My Yanmar engine 3GM30F in my 2002 Catalina died while underway.   
>>> I'm going to change the fuel filter to determine if that's the  
>>> problem. Is there a fuel shut off valve I need to close before  
>>> changing the filter and where is it located?  How does the filter  
>>> housing come apart to change the filter?
>>>
>>> Thanks very much in advance for your help. It's appreciated.
>>>
>>> Joe
>>>
>>> #908
>>>
>>
>