[C320-list] Water in the Fuel

[M K]

Jerry,
Thanks for the reply! Hopefully I can find a mech. that can suck out the
water without draining the tank.  Good advice!

Thanks again
Matt

On Fri, Jun 21, 2024 at 11:11 AM Jerry's Iphone via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

> Matt,
> Although I have a Yanmar, I had a very similar situation recently. I had
> water in the fuel which was easily detected by the mechanic because water
> was in the lower visible section of the fuel filter.
>
> We determined that was either from winter condensation or a loose fuel
> cap. This was the first winter that I did not top off the fuel due to the
> local pumps closing down early for repairs.
>
> The mechanic suctioned the water from the bottom of the tank until he
> started seeing fuel coming out and continued until all he saw was fuel.
> While there he also checked the hoses for any gunk the water may have
> caused. He then bled the hoses to remove all air. He ran it for a full
> thirty minutes with no problem. We took it out the following week and it
> ran like a charm.
>
> I’ll pass on the mechanics advice. Just because it’s running now, don’t
> assume it has been corrected. Get all of it out now because the problem
> will resurface, maybe not so close to home next time.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Jerry Sheets
> JellyRoll  890
>
> > On Jun 21, 2024, at 9:57 AM, ART HARDEN via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >
> > It is possible to get water into the diesel fuel, but generally water
> will show up in the Raycor filter before it gets to the engine.  This is
> the filter between the engine and the fuel tank. On Tortuga there was water
> in the fuel system and the previous owner did not drain it over the winter.
> The water froze in the bowl, it cracked, and the tank drained into the
> bilge. I found out about the story a year after I bought the boat. The
> bilge had a strong odor of diesel fuel, which I could not get rid of. I
> finally found some mechanics laundry detergent at the grocery store and
> used a strong mix with water to spray all the areas down. I then hosed it
> out while having a shop vac suck up all the excess water and fuel mixture.
> I actually went through and pulled all the floorboards and pressure washed
> the inside of the boat because of the black mold that had accumulated over
> years of neglect. I even used the spray mix on the engine to remove any
> excess fuel residue. Now the boat smells like plastic, but I don’t guess
> there’s anything I can do about that. The black mold came from numerous
> leaks on the boat, which have all been fixed over the years and now I
> maintain a dry bilge.
> >
> > Another issue with diesel fuel, which could be your problem, is
> biological growth in the fuel. On our Capri 26 I had an issue of the fuel
> scum. I ended up draining the entire tank and disposing of the fuel and
> then replacing it with new fuel. There’s also a process called fuel
> polishing which the marina usually can do. They essentially suck out the
> fuel, water, and biologics, and run them through a filter process. Then the
> clean fuel is returned to the tank.
> >
> > Just a reminder. If you are not familiar with diesel engines they do not
> like air in the fuel system. Be sure to bleed the air out of any new
> filters before cranking the engine. If the air gets into the injector lines
> the engine won’t start till the air bleeds through the injector or you
> loosen the line to bleed the air. Not an insurmountable issue just a PIA. I
> know because I recently ran my  tractor out of fuel an ended up having to
> bleed the entire system.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> > Art Harden
> > Catalina 320 "Tortuga" E-62
> > 937.885.9380 (o)
> > 937.477.5544 (m)
> >
> >> On Jun 21, 2024, at 6:55 AM, M K via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> >> I was out motoring yesterday and my Westerbeke diesel began stumbling/
> >> dying.  I was able to keep it running and get to a nearby fuel dock and
> tie
> >> up.  Ater 30 minutes I fired it up and it ran well and I was able to
> return
> >> to my slip.  I am a new owner and had just washed the boat that morning
> for
> >> the first time swince launching.  I suspect a dirty fiilter or water in
> the
> >> fuel.  If the filter is the cuplrit just changing should do it.  Water
> in
> >> the fuel is what I am looking for input on.
> >>
> >> In addition to washing, I have recently repaced the fill cap and tube
> >> assembly withn the fiberglass/plastic one from Catlina Direct and don't
> >> know if that may be contributing.  The vent tube may also have taken in
> >> water from wash water rolling off the stern.  I didn't wash directly in
> the
> >> vent area of the stern.
> >>
> >> I am concerned that if I find water will this require draining the tank
> and
> >> getting a suction hose into the bottom to pull out the water? (Of course
> >> just filled it up last weekend)
> >> Another site mentioned a changing to a "trap" style vent tube to prevent
> >> water from entering through the factory vent tube...Is this an issue
> with
> >> the 320?  Mine is a1996.
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Matt Knoll
> >> Mary Anne #315
>