[C320-list] Diesel Filter Changing Intervals

[Charles Holbrook]

 Thank You all.  Fuel tank goes in today.
Charlie
    On Tuesday, August 11, 2020, 01:33:16 AM EDT, Ted Harrison <tharrison at innovations-plus.com> wrote:  
 
 I use a disposal baby diaper to catch the fuel. It absorbs and the elastics hold around the filter. 

Ted Harrison

> On Aug 10, 2020, at 9:27 PM, Joe Luciano <jnluciano at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> I do my Yanmar similar to Jack, but after getting the air out through the secondary filter bleed screw and all bubbles gone, I clean up all the paper towels with diesel from the bleed screw, then I tighten the screw.  After that, I start the engine on what is hopefully a tight system.  Check for leaks and I’m done.  Typically it starts right up, although sometimes after it starts there is short rough point before everything is back to normal.
> 
> Joe Luciano
> Second Wind
> #1024
> 
>> On Aug 10, 2020, at 7:50 PM, Jack Brennan <jackbrennan at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Jeff:
>> 
>> I’ve found my Yanmars to be very easy to bleed. In fact, I’ve never had to mess with the injection lines in 11 years. 
>> 
>> A somewhat sloppy but effective method is to fill both filters, then open the bleed screw on the secondary filter and crank after working the lever on the fuel pump a few times. It might run rough for a few seconds, but it usually will start. 
>> 
>> This worked even when I replaced the fuel lines, when I couldn’t get the lever on the pump to dribble diesel through the bleed screw.
>> 
>> Make sure you put some shop towels under the secondary filter because it will drip like hell after the diesel starts. You gotta be quick if you’re working alone to close the screw …
>> 
>> Jack Brennan
>> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
>> Tierra Verde, Fl.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>> 
>> From: Jeff Smith
>> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 10:31 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Diesel Filter Changing Intervals
>> 
>> Sorry - premature send.
>> 
>> 2. The Racor manual says that you should not use the Racor pump to bleed air from anything but the Racor filter housing. I know plenty of people on this site use that pump to bleed the entire system. The next step would be to open the bleed screw on the secondary filter. Use the lift pump (or the Racor pump) until you see fuel with no bubbles come from the opening.
>> 
>> 3. If needed, you can follow the line from the secondary filter to the injection pump. There is an 8mm (I believe) screw that holds the single line going into the injection pump. You can loosen that screw and actuate the lift pump until you get fuel with no bubbles.
>> 
>> If the lift pump does not have any pressure, then turn the engine over without trying to start it.
>> 
>> 4. If you need to bleed each injector, you would take the line loose going into each injector and turn the engine over until you see it exit the line.
>> 
>> Before I did all of this, though, I would check to see if the engine starts. If you filled both filters with diesel before you installed them, then you may not have any air in the system, especially if you shut the fuel off before you changed each filter.
>> 
>> Others may do it differently (starting from the engine and working backwards). I usually work in this direction if I am trying to diagnose a problem.
>> 
>> Good luck,
>> 
>> Jeff Smith
>> '94, #121
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Jeff Smith <jeffreyssmith at live.com>
>> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 10:23 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Diesel Filter Changing Intervals
>> 
>> Charles,
>> 
>> I do not know of a video, but here are the steps that I use:
>> 
>> 
>> 1.  Bleed the Racor first. Open the bleed screw on the top of the Racor. Unscrew the knurled knob on the top of the Racor filter housing. This becomes a pump lever that you can actuate to cause diesel to fill the new filter. You will eventually see it spill from the bleed screw.
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Charles Holbrook <charlesholbrook at ymail.com>
>> Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 6:01 AM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Diesel Filter Changing Intervals
>> 
>> Joe:
>> Glad to hear your thoughts on changing filters.  I did change my filters 5 years ago when I bought my 95' Cat 320 but haven't done anything since then.  I am right now in the process of reinstalling my repaired fuel tank and thought I would change my filters now.  I am a bit nervous as I have never primed a diesel and am not sure how to do it.  When I bought the boat the yard primed the engine and like an idiot I did not watch.
>> Does any one know of a video on how to prime my Perkins 30?
>> Charlie Holbrook, Port Clinton, Ohio"Nautigirl"
>>  On Sunday, August 9, 2020, 07:10:29 PM EDT, sail-ability at sympatico.ca <sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> I fully agree with all previous comments. My go to protocol is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. I was a mechanical engineer in the military and we did a study on oil changes on military engines(you can’t get a more extreme environment than what the military puts engines through) we used SOAP (spectroscopy oil analysis programme) we learned we were dumping perfectly good expensive oil!
>> If you’re worried about it read the manual and do what’s recommended for routine maintenance. More frequently is just a waste of time and $$$$.
>> JohnM
>> 1999#574
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>>> On Aug 9, 2020, at 8:58 AM, Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I first changed my filters right after buying our boat.  I was concerned when the previous owner informed me he had never changed them (owned I think 6 years).  However, when changing them I was surprised how clean things seemed.  I just changed my filters again after 3 seasons .... Again seemingly very clean.  In the meantime I have checked my Racor very frequently and rarely drained very minor amounts of water/slime. Since my boat is 1994 I feel I should at least fully drain and polish the fuel, but haven't "bit the bullet" on doing that yet.
>>> I use a 10 micron racor filter and a Perkins OEM engine filter.  Does anyone know what micron the Perkins spin on filter is?  I think I read somewhere previously it is 2 micron, but Perkins won't reply to my inquiry about this.
>>> 
>>> Dave Hupe1994 C320 #32Holland, MI
>>> 
>> 
>