[C320-list] Replace fuel filter/BLEEDING

[Tony Murphy]

Jeff,

A word of caution possibly to others.  I have seen advice on the Internet that discusses filling the primary filter with diesel after changing out in order to prime the system.  But most of what I have read advises AGAINST filling the secondary filter with diesel to prime it.  The standard wisdom seems to be that if you fill the SECONDARY filter with diesel fuel from a can, you have the possibility of introducing contaminants that will make it straight to the engine and injectors because you have bypassed both filters with this small amount of fuel.

I have no real-life experience with this, but it seemed to make sense.  I would ask others with more experience to chime in.

Tony Murphy
Bella Sol #886
Walker, MN

> On Aug 17, 2015, at 12:07 PM, Jeffrey Brown <oceanblues at mac.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> Just wanted to report back to you that we were successful in bleeding the air out of the fuel line, thanks again Guy and everyone else who chimed in.  I’m so thankful we have this email list, it really saved me from spending a bunch of money for a mechanic to fix such a simple problem.  One thing we discovered was that the manual pump on the secondary filter is either broken or the pumping action was way to slow for us, it didn’t seem to fill up the secondary filter very quickly, if at all.  So instead, after removing the port side nut on the secondary filter, we simply poured fuel in until it was full.  She fired up pretty quickly after that.
> 
> Thanks again everyone.
> 
> 
> Jeff Brown
> "Out of the blue" Dana Point, CA
> Catalina 320, Hull 78
> (949) 350-5123
> oceanblues at mac.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Aug 15, 2015, at 2:47 PM, JJ Morrison <sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> The primary fuel filter is on the  engine as described below and it is fastened to the filter housing by way of a grooved nut. I thought there must be some kind of tool to loosen and tighten this nut but all marine mechanics just use a flat screwdriver and a hammer to loosen and tighten...I imagine there is a  proper wrench though? The secondary RACOR filter/water separator has a pump of its own on the top of the housing it is a plastic grooved nut and when loosened it can be pumped up and down to fill the filter, bowl and housing as well as the primary filter. Absolutely no need to fill the filter housing prior to replacing the filter and re-attaching. There is also a mechanical fuel pump on the side of the engine which can be manually activated. Once this is done and all fittings are tight the engine should clear itself of any small amounts of trapped air.CheersJohnM1999#574
>> 
>>> Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2015 17:35:24 -0400
>>> From: guyhenry222 at gmail.com
>>> To: C320-List at catalina320.com
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Replace fuel filter
>>> 
>>> I'm guessing you only have to loosen the bolt and pump the fuel pump until
>>> fuel comes out with out bubbles.   Usually 1 or 2 squirts.
>>> Guy
>>> On Aug 15, 2015 4:51 PM, "Jeffrey Brown" <oceanblues at mac.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Guy
>>>> A couple points of clarification if you don't mind.
>>>> 
>>>> I'm only familiar with one fuel filter, where do I find the secondary
>>>> filter?  I assume the primary filter is the large one on the aft part of
>>>> the engine the one that is very easy to get to. Where is the second filter,
>>>> is it clearly visible?
>>>> 
>>>> Also, you indicate to manually pump the fuel filter, how do you do that?
>>>> Thanks again, I'm such an idiot forgetting to fill the new filter with fuel.
>>>> 
>>>> Jeff Brown
>>>> 949-350-5123
>>>> 
>>>>> On Aug 15, 2015, at 12:30 PM, Guy Henry <guyhenry222 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> By your hull number, I assume you have the Perkins.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Perkins Fuel Filter Change
>>>>> 
>>>>> Material
>>>>> 1.    Fuel Filters
>>>>> 2.    Strap Wrench
>>>>> 3.    Diesel Fuel
>>>>> 4.    Diaper
>>>>> 5.    Paper Towels
>>>>> 6.    17 mm open end wrench
>>>>> 7.    19 mm wrench or ratchet
>>>>> 
>>>>> Procedure
>>>>> 1.    shut off fuel at tank
>>>>> 2.    remove primary filter, diaper underneath it
>>>>> 3.    clean bottom bowl
>>>>> 4.    fill filter with fuel
>>>>> 5.    don't over tighten bowl or filter
>>>>> 6.    Install new filter, make sure O ring(s) are in place
>>>>> 7.    check for leaks
>>>>> 8.    remove secondary, diaper underneath it
>>>>> 9.    replace
>>>>> 10.    turn on fuel at tank
>>>>> 11.    open port side nut on top of secondary filter to allow air to
>>>> escape
>>>>> (19 mm wrench)
>>>>> 12.    manually pump fuel filter
>>>>> 13.    if it doesn't fill (fuel pump may be on high point of cam)
>>>>>  a.    turn over engine slightly, go to 12
>>>>> 14.    when diesel comes out of the hole in the nut, tighten nut
>>>>> 15.    start engine
>>>>> 16.    I've never had to do this part -
>>>>>  if it won't run
>>>>>  a.    crack all 3 injectors (17 mm wrench)
>>>>>  b.    crank engine with kill handle down until a fine mist of fuel
>>>>> appears
>>>>>  c.    tighten injectors while cranking
>>>>>      (don't crank too long or the Muffler will fill up (<30
>>>>> seconds)
>>>>>  d.    engine should start, probably before all 3 are tight
>>>>> 17.    Check for leaks, run engine for at least 15 minutes
>>>>> 
>>>>> Guy
>>>>> MoonShadow #115
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>> 		 	   		  
>