John... What makes you think you know so much about boat fuels systems, diesel bugs, and clogged filters.
Practice.
I've shared on these pages, the story of my meeting in the fog with a fishing boat doing 30 mph trying to get to his fishing grounds.
The fishing boat crash was just the beginning.
Having cleared Admiralty Inlet we started out across the Juan D'Fuca Strait. The water was flat, the sun was shining and after the harrowing experience, I let the adrenalin of the past 90 minutes seep away. I watched my buddy boat Mahalo alter course a bit to the north. No problem we have nearly 20 miles to go across the strait. I was just beginning to relax when I heard a horn blaring. I jumped up and there directly ahead of me was a fishing boat, in the middle of the Strait. I was heading directly at him. Only this time it was me causing the danger.
Fortunately, we both reacted positively, Me altering course and he pulling up on his anchor. As I passed, I heard many derogatory declarations about my lack of seaman ship and navigational skills.
By now I thought I had been fully baptized in negative experiences and survived. Nothing more could spoil this day...
Bad things always happens in 3's say wise men.
Sure enough, about 30 minutes later my engine starts to cough. Bugger. I am out in the middle of the Juan D'Fuca strait. Cruising Solo, and the fuel line is clogged. I shout to
@LeslieTroyer - "Hey Mahalo. I got a fuel problem. I am going to shut down and change the filter." All Stop. Down in to the engine compartment. Shut off the fuel line. Pull out the filter. Sure enough clogged. Pop in the new filter. Fill the Racor from my spare fuel. 15 minutes pretty good time. Try to start the engine. Out standing - she starts. Smiles all around no need to prime. Off we go. Onward towards Roach Harbor.
5 minutes later.... Cough. sputter. silence. Poo. What now? Damn.... I forgot to open the fuel line before I started the engine. Click the VHF Mic... "Mahalo, I got another problem. I need to prime the engine. Last time it took 20 plus minutes. You want to go ahead?" " Hadley, Why don't I throw you a line and I'll give you a tow. My wife can steer your boat while you fix the engine." "Ok"... Mahalo comes up close, Trish jumps aboard. I tie off the tow line. Les pulls Mahalo out into the lead. Trish and I chat about steering with the tow line, and then I go back to the engine room to open the fuel line. Manually pushing the lift pump to bleed the engine, eventually I get fuel to the injectors.
30 minutes later I get the engine going. We release the tow. And for some strange reason Les does not want to get close so Trish can return to Mahalo too dangerous....
Trish and I enjoy the rest of the trip, she at the helm most of the run.
The day eventually ends with us in Roche Harbor eating a great meal and sipping from a bottle of fine Cab.
Diesel Fuel systems, I have learned by trial and error.