[C320-list] New member/basic question

[Troy Dunn]

Agree with Chris, completely unnecessary.  A lot of folks "get away with
it" but...I've seen some argue that those bulbs aren't even rated for below
deck use and can become an invitation for a major fuel spill when they let
go.    IF that's true AND you end up with a diesel spill that goes
overboard....cha ching….and your insurance will be quick to point out that
you had a "jury rigged" fuel system so the bill becomes your
responsibility.   I've never bought one or read the "approved use" label,
but...why risk it when you have a perfectly good pump on the Racor?
Google Maine Sail's "Hall of Fail" pretty sure he has a picture of a failed
primer bulb there...

My 0.02-

Troy

On Fri, Aug 3, 2018 at 7:09 AM, Chris Burti <clburti at gmail.com> wrote:

> The pump on the Racor filter/ water separator essentially performs that
> function.
>
> Best Regards,
> Chris Burti
> Commitment #867
>
> > On Aug 3, 2018, at 6:17 AM, Scott Westwood <scottwestwood at bellsouth.net>
> wrote:
> >
> > While talking about fuel priming.....I wanted to ask what this group
> thinks about this "enhancement" I heard about.
> > If you insert one of those squeeze bulbs (Priming bulbs) into the Diesel
> fuel line you can use that to get 95% (if not all) of the air out of the
> line.
> > We have a 90 year old sailor in our club that swears by it. (Still
> single hands his Siedleman 30) Instead of loosening injectors or using the
> little bitty lever pump, he inserted a squeeze priming bulb in the fuel
> line and he claims it speeds up his filter changes significantly.
> > I know it inserts another place for leaks but any experience with this
> out there?  Sounds too simple to not be done by everybody.
> > Thanks,
> > Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C
> (919)-618-7185
> >
> >      From: Brad <bkuether at comcast.net>
> > To: "C320-List at Catalina320.com" <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
> > Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2018 7:32 PM
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] New member/basic question
> >
> > Agree with Troy this is NOT hard to do.
> >
> > Changing your filters are the MOST important thing you can do, to keep
> your diesel running.  Mine has never given me any fits, save for a water
> pump, and that was just a thing, not due to lack of maintenance!
> >
> > 1 – CLOSE OFF THE FUEL VALVE!!!!!  Ask me why I know to say that first.
> 😊
> > 2 – Put down paper towels to catch any minor spills.  I block up the
> weep holes as well.
> > 3 – Either drain the racor, or find a way to drop the filter without
> spilling.  I have a setup with a plastic coffee can that allows me to drop
> it without draining.  YRMV
> > 3 – Drain out the filter into some type of container.  I use a plastic
> coffee can.  See a pattern here?
> > 4 – Remove the filter from the bowl.  Drain any remaining fuel.
> > 5 – Wipe out the bowl.  If there is a lot of dirt, you may have to use a
> toothbrush or something to get all the dirt out.  Wipe it dry especially if
> you had to use water to clean it.
> > 6 – Using some of the fuel you drained, put a film on the gasket of the
> new filter.  Spin on the bowl.
> > 7 – Replace the top gasket that goes on the housing.  Put a film of fuel
> on that as well.  Spin it on to the specs on the filter.  (see the diagram)
> > 8 – Clean up any residual drips or spills, I use 409 as it cuts grease.
> > 9 – After changing the primary filter, prime using either the racor pump
> if you have one, or the fuel pump lift.  I do the latter.  Not sure why,
> maybe I like pain.  Check for leaks.  Bleed and fire it up!
> >
> > I will let someone else take you through changing the fuel filter.  I
> have a Yanmar 3YM30, and I know a lot of the older boats have the 3GM30F,
> so I don’t know exactly how they handle that.  The 3YM30 “self bleeds” and
> I don’t know if the procedure for the 3GM is the same.
> >
> > Good luck, have fun, and do this when it’s cool.  😊
> >
> > -Brad Kuether
> > SV Independence
> > 2004 Catalina 320 #1006
> >
> >
> >
> > Sent from Mail for Windows 10
> >
> > From: Troy Dunn
> > Sent: Thursday, August 2, 2018 7:06 PM
> > To: C320-List at catalina320.com
> > Subject: Re: [C320-list] New member/basic question
> >
> > Jack-
> >
> > Congrats on your purchase.  Changing that fuel filter is way less
> > complicated than it looks and you will have plenty of access to it from
> the
> > aft berth.  There is a great video for how to change that filter here...
> > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub0zfW42mVo   If you don't have great
> > maintenance records for the vessel, you might want to consider changing
> > both the racor and the fuel filter soon.  In my experience you can skip
> > most of the advice about priming and simply use the racor pump to push
> fuel
> > to the injector pump and things should turn over fine.  If not...then you
> > can worry all the other ideas for getting the injectors primed.
> >
> > The other potential item to keep an eye on for fuel leaks is the
> diaphragm
> > of the fuel lift pump.
> >
> > If you have a relatively well adjusted stuffing box, you might consider
> > placing some paper towels in various strategic locations to see if any
> fuel
> > is dripping or seeping in any of the places mentioned in the above posts.
> >
> > Good luck...hope you got it fixed.
> >
> > Cheers-
> >
> > Troy Dunn
> > S/V Wonky Dog
> > Hull #514
> >
> > On Thu, Aug 2, 2018 at 6:22 PM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> Hi Jeff:
> >>
> >> I'm fairly confident now that the fuel tank is not leaking -- I can't
> >> smell diesel anywhere -- but I suppose the proof will come on Monday,
> when
> >> I motor 12 miles over to the boatyard for a bottom job and new standing
> >> rigging.
> >>
> >> I figure that will cause any wayward fuel to move into the bilge and
> >> settle the issue.
> >>
> >> Daryl, I did find a smudge of fuel on the banjo itting for the secondary
> >> filter, so I am going to replace the washer once I get back from the
> >> boatyard.
> >>
> >> What a spot for that secondary filter, by the way. I'm not looking
> forward
> >> to changing it. It's hard up against the frame of the engine room.
> >>
> >>
> >> Jack Brennan
> >> 1998 Catalina 320
> >> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> ---
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> >> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>