[C320-list] Water in fuel

[Lee, Cliff]

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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