[C320-list] Water in fuel

[Warren Updike]

Maybe I can get this somewhat right: on our #62, with the Racor 220 series
mounted with only a few inches between the drain plug in the sight bowl and
the hull, I've found that a paper dish like a small cereal bowl or a
low-sided plastic bowl (like a small cottage cheese container) can get under
the drain. Then, open with fingers or small pliers, just enough to let
slowly drain until only fuel is coming. Then, shut finger tight.  Also,
sight the bowl with a flashlight and you should be able to see the amount of
stuff contained.  If a lot, change the filter.

Warren & Pattie Updike
1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"


-----Original Message-----
From: Eric kramer [mailto:capkramer at gmail.com] 
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2012 9:26 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Water in fuel

Can anyone give a detailed explanation of draining the water separator bowl?
Does the system need to be bled after?
On Tue, Jul 31, 20t12 at 5:30 PM, Jane & Ken <obuoy4848 at sbcglobal.net>wrote:

> Lew,  that is a statement you will never hear from a power boat polluter.
> Ken
>
> --- On Tue, 7/31/12, sailorlew at aol.com <sailorlew at aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> From: sailorlew at aol.com <sailorlew at aol.com>
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Water in fuel
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 4:26 PM
>
>
> Since I only put in fuel once a year, after doing so I put a bead of 
> rope caulking around the cap as a 2nd source of a water seal.
> Lew
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com>
> To: C320-List <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> Sent: Tue, Jul 31, 2012 8:50 am
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Water in fuel
>
>
> Also a good idea to replace the "O" ring in the fuel filler cap every 
> couple of years.  Without a tight seal at the cap, rain water can find 
> its way into the tank.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lee, Cliff [mailto:CLee at kbcat.com]
> Sent: Monday, June 25, 2012 5:06 PM
> To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Water in fuel
>
> We inadvertently sprayed water up into the fuel vent connection last 
> fall when hosing down the boat.  When we started the engine up the 
> next weekend, she started and then stalled out within a couple of 
> minutes (luckily still at the dock).  I noticed water in the 
> fuel/water separator, so took the long overdue opportunity to replace 
> the separator but afterward noticed I was continuing to collect water 
> in the separator plastic bulb.  I went through the tedious but simple 
> process of draining water from the bleed drain for
> 2-3 hours (keep the fuel tank valve open) and finally got a clear pink 
> supply of diesel, after which the engine fired up no problem.  This 
> spring I noticed more water in the separator, but after a few 
> drainings and a few sailing outings the water has disappeared.  
> Anyway, we now only hose down from above to avoid water in the fuel 
> tank.  It sounds like your problem may be more severe than that, but I 
> figured I would confess to our "oops"
> moment
> just in case.
>
> Cliff Lee
> Comfort Zone, #268
>
> ------Original Message --------
> Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:25:42 -0400
> From: Marko Jamnik <mjamnik at markocreative.net>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Water in fuel
> Message-ID: <51BC0450-C452-4929-8DAD-288B17AE0D01 at markocreative.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
> Into my third sailing season with my 1995 - 320. Boat came from 
> brackish waters to fresh water.  I had the motor taken out and had the  
> motor mounts replaced as well as reconditioning the engine, all of the 
> hoses filters primary & secondary filters, zinc nodes impeller etc.  
> after all that it was tested and the result the engine was in A1 
> condition. The last two seasons no problems until now.  It's a 
> Westerbeke 30B with a total of 1000 hrs.
>
> I tried starting the engine this week and after two minutes the engine 
> stalled. I cranked it a number of times and no luck. The fuel gauge 
> was full. I had a mechanic look at it only to tell me that I was 
> pumping through water, out of the injectors that all I saw. The plan 
> is to clean out the tank and replace it with cleaner fuel. I think it 
> was a matter of time that the balance of water levelled with the fuel 
> and with some sloshing around I reached that cutoff point. Now my 
> concern is that this will be a costly fix especially since I have 
> water in the system now. Concern of mine is that a complete removal of 
> water has to happen, I can't afford water in the cylinders since it 
> won't burn and once the fuel does kick in it can blow a seals. The 
> mystery here is how much water is in the system already
>
>
> I have checked the O ring and it's not cracked I still have to check 
> the vent fitting but this will be after the fact.
>
> Before I hand over my retirement fund, just kidding. I'm wondering if 
> anyone else has had a similar experience.
>
> If only it could run on water?
>
> Mark
>
> #304
>
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