Hello Everyone, I have a 1983 Catalina 30, Having recently purchased the boat( my first)I am in need of help, again. The engine in the boat is a Universal M25 with about 900 hours on it. This weekend my wife and I went out for the day, we used the engine for about an hour and then put up the sails for about 3 hours ( this was the first time we sailed the boat alone, and it was great). When it started to get late we put down the sails and started the engine, it started fine but in about 20 minutes the engine stopped, I quickly tapped off some fuel from the Racor filter ( there was dirt in the bowl) and got it started, after about ten minutes of running it stopped again, this time I couldn't get it started and a passerby towed me to a moring ball to tie off. Thank goodness for him and my SeaTow membership. Today I changed both the Racor filter as well as the fuel filter on the engine.( after looking in the fuel tank to make sure there was fuel, I have about 16 gallons in the tank) I can't get a steady flow of fuel to come out of the fuel line bleeding nut, it seems to be trying but only sputters for a little while then stops. I disconnected the rubber fuel line from where it connects to the engine fuel filter turned on the key but had no flow, I can hear the electronic fuel pump making noise but no flow. One of my neighbors at the marina suggested that I replace the electronic fuel pump. I checked at a few auto parts stores and they have two models, one has 2-4 PSI and 30 gallons per hour, the other one is 4-6 PSI and 35 gallons per hour. The gallons per hour shouldn't be a problem, I think I probably use about .5 gallon per hour, do I have to be concerned about the pressure of the pumps, I am leaning toward the 4-6 PSI.( more power) The one that is currently on the boat is made by a company called Facet Enterprises, I can't find them anywhere. I wonder if I may stirred up the dirt in the tanks while sailing and some dirt may have gotten into the pump. WE have only had the boat ot about 3 times before, a total of about 12 hhours, and all those time we used the engine with no sign of this problem. Does anyone have any thoughts on this, also how often do you suggest polishing the fuel, when I looked in the tank I could see dirt on the bottom, the boat may have never had its tank cleaned. Thank you all in advance, Jack
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Jack, Check 'The Log' Classifieds...
...there are several fuel polishing outfits in your area. I think you have called it right and you have to get rid of the fuel and clean the tank or have it evacuated and filtered, assuming this also gets the gunk out. Probably have to change your primary again. Good luck. Rick D.
...there are several fuel polishing outfits in your area. I think you have called it right and you have to get rid of the fuel and clean the tank or have it evacuated and filtered, assuming this also gets the gunk out. Probably have to change your primary again. Good luck. Rick D.
Things to check
Take the bottom cap off the fuel pump and check the strainer. If that is clean, pull the pick-up tube out of the tank. Some Catalinas had a screen on the end of the tube that clogs up. If you have a screen, take it off, you don't need it. As for the crud in your tank, you can use a hand pump to get it off the bottom of the tank. Pump it into a glass jar, let it set for a while and all the water and sediment will settle to the bottom. Pour the clean top fuel back in the tank and discard the rest. You may have to do this a couple of times to get it all. Hope this helps.
Take the bottom cap off the fuel pump and check the strainer. If that is clean, pull the pick-up tube out of the tank. Some Catalinas had a screen on the end of the tube that clogs up. If you have a screen, take it off, you don't need it. As for the crud in your tank, you can use a hand pump to get it off the bottom of the tank. Pump it into a glass jar, let it set for a while and all the water and sediment will settle to the bottom. Pour the clean top fuel back in the tank and discard the rest. You may have to do this a couple of times to get it all. Hope this helps.
Hello Everyone, I wanted to let you know that I had a fuel polishing company come down to my boat and they tried to polish the fuel,unfortunatley their equipment kept breaking down and after about 7 hours of trying to clean an 18 gallon tank we called it a day, of course now I have to wait until Tuesday (because of New Years)to get it worked on by them again. Hopefully they will have everything ready to go. We sure hated losing the Holiday weekend on the bay the weather is just perfect,I guess that boating builds patience.... Does anyone have any suggestions about fuel additives for diesel fuel??? I will let you know how it all works out. Have a Happy and Safe New Years Eve Jack
Diesel bug
Jack, You may have 'Diesel Bug'. This is a bacteria which lives at the water/fuel interface in your tank. Each bacteria cell can reproduce every 20 minutes so it only takes a couple of days to completely clog filters etc. The solution is an Australian product called Fuel Set. This redissolves the water into the fuel, the bacteria is reabsorbed and the whole lot passes harmlessly through filters,fuel pumps and injectors. The problem usually comes when fuel is bought from a storage tank which has just been filled and not allowed to settle for 4 hours. I have had the problem twice in 3 years, both times from different fuel barges where water must have leaked into the fuel. Fuel Set is dosed at only 1 part in 1000 or so now I dose every time I buy fuel from any source. Happy new year.
Jack, You may have 'Diesel Bug'. This is a bacteria which lives at the water/fuel interface in your tank. Each bacteria cell can reproduce every 20 minutes so it only takes a couple of days to completely clog filters etc. The solution is an Australian product called Fuel Set. This redissolves the water into the fuel, the bacteria is reabsorbed and the whole lot passes harmlessly through filters,fuel pumps and injectors. The problem usually comes when fuel is bought from a storage tank which has just been filled and not allowed to settle for 4 hours. I have had the problem twice in 3 years, both times from different fuel barges where water must have leaked into the fuel. Fuel Set is dosed at only 1 part in 1000 or so now I dose every time I buy fuel from any source. Happy new year.
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