We enjoyed a great sail down to Crisfield, MD on Saturday, a nice broad reach all the way down from Solomons Island. So of course, there was no wind
yesterday for our return requiring us to use the iron jenny.
About a mid-way in to the trip, the engine started to fade like I had pulled the throttle back but then it came back to my orginal power setting. Twenty
minutes later, did it again and then kept it up the whole way back. When I pulled the throttle back, it ran steady at the lower power setting. I spent some
quality time with my head stuck in the engine compartement trying to see if it was anything obvious.
My not very educated guess is that the fuel filter is getting clogged. The tank was pretty low and I figured about 16 years of gunk was sloshing around in
there. Any other words of wisdom? Thanks!.
David Kennedy
Wave Dancer II
3 Cabin, Hull 303
Engine fading then surging back
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 dbkennedy1 |
Engine fading then surging back |
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Posts: 40 09/03/07 10:26:19 |
David Kennedy
Wave Dancer II Hull 303, Mark I, 3 Cabin |
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ragtime |
#1 | |||
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Posts: 139 09/03/07 12:15:13 |
David, Those are the classic signs of a clogged fuel filter. It's probably time to change out both filters.
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cathyinct |
#2 | |||
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Posts: 310 09/03/07 15:46:12 |
We once had a clean filter but it was the wrong filter and it caused problems. Yard installed a 2 micron instead of 30 micron.
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setfree42 |
#3 | |||
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Posts: 24 09/04/07 06:50:50 |
ragtime wrote: I second Gerry's clogged fuel filter diagnosis - when running at slower RPMs enough fuel can get thru. However, powering up tries to suck more fuel thru
the filter, and the pressure compacts what were once "openings" thru the dirt so no more fuel can flow, casuing the engine to slow down. At the
slower speed (and pressure) the engine starts running again. This happened to us last year, and a change of the primary filter fixed it, although the mechanic
suggested we change the secondary at the same time which we did which was good advice.
Bob Snider
Catalina 42 MK2, Hull #556/3 cabin fin keel. "Set Free" - Northport, NY |
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dbkennedy1 |
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Posts: 40 09/06/07 18:03:45 |
Thanks for the input all. Does anyone have a quick run down on the procedure for changing the Racor filter? I hope to get down this weekend and give it a
shot.
David Kennedy
Wave Dancer II Hull 303, Mark I, 3 Cabin |
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pdrimmer |
#5 | |||
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Posts: 163 09/06/07 19:17:37 |
Make sure you turn off the fuel supply before you open the Racor. There is a petcock on top of the fuel tank. This is a good time to check that all of the
clamps are tight.
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countferrari |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 97 09/25/07 06:09:00 |
Restarting after filter change is SO much easier if you prefill the filters with diesel BEFORE you put them back on. Otherwise it is easy.
S/V Jah Mon,1994, Mark I,Hull #428,Two Cabin,Fin Keel,Anacortes, WA,Puget Sound PHRF 122
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nickwigen |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 221 09/25/07 07:58:55 |
I added an outboard motor type squeeze bulb in the line between the tank and primary filter. After changing the filters, pump the bulb until you hear fuel run back into the tank. The engine starts right up.
Nick Wigen
Ursa Minor #178 FK, 3-Cabin Portland, Oregon |
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lakandjc |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 147 09/25/07 08:07:36 |
I want second Nick RE the squeeze bulb in the fuel line. After installing one, I have never had to bleed lines again and don't have to mess with diesel
which I always manage to spill.
I also recommend putting a vacuum gage in line to measure how much the primary filter is clogged. This gives ample warning before a filter is clogged and allows you to replace it BEFORE it kills your engine some dark night. This is very cheap insurance. Just FWIW... James White Star #450 Puerto Vallarta |
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bimmerboy750 |
#9 | |||
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Posts: 55 09/27/07 04:14:02 |
For the primer bulb and vacuum gauge, where do you recommend inserting? Just after the tank, after the racor? what size (in Hg) gauge? just curious.
Rick Pain Killer
Last Edited By: bimmerboy750 09/27/07 04:20:26.
Edited 1 time.
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nickwigen |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 221 09/27/07 06:07:00 |
The bulb goes between the tank and the Racor. The filters can foul which would be indicated by the vacuum gauge. If the fuel pickup tube in the tank gets
plugged you would feel it in the squeeze bulb. It would not "rebound" after you squeezed it.
Nick Wigen
Ursa Minor #178 FK, 3-Cabin Portland, Oregon |
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lakandjc |
#11 | |||
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Posts: 147 09/27/07 06:43:33 |
Rick:
RE the bulb, as Nick said, put it between the tank and the Racor. Use whatever size bulb that fits the fuel hose; there are several sizes of bulb fittings so measure the ID of your fuel hose before buying bulb. Also, prudent owners put a standard hose clamp on the line instead of the squeeze on clamps that come with the bulb, just for added safety. RE the gauge, if memory and logic serve, it will go on the other side of the Racor, between the pump and the Racor. I think mine is screwed into the Racor fitting itself with the fuel line to the pump going out of the gauge. (I'm not on the boat.) Some installations have the gauge screwed into the top of the Racor instead of the T handle, but mine is on the side, for some reason. Perhaps someone who is near their boat can provide a better description or a photo. Anyway, these are fairly simple installations and can make a great difference in the ease and security of fuel system management. Good luck.... James White Star #450 Puerto Vallarta |
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symandalay |
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Posts: 144 09/27/07 10:03:48 |
Buy the vacuum gauge that fits on top of the fuel filter from Racor. It takes the place of the tee shaped fitting.
Colin
Colin Ward, Mandalay, #593 1997 2-cabin, fin keel
Florida |
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bimmerboy750 |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 55 09/28/07 06:52:21 |
Great stuff fellas ! Thanks!
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