[C320-list] Water in the Fuel

[Greg Flanagan]

I have done it myself. I used the main halyard tied to the dock to give a little lean to port and used my oil extractor with a tube extension. Seemed to work well. Three years ago and no fuel problems hence.


Greg 
Hoop Dancer #1076
Sidney, BC

> On Jun 21, 2024, at 9:46 AM, M K via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> 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
> >