I have a 1982 27'Catalina equipped with a newly rebuilt Atomic-4 gas engine as shown in the attached picture. I am having trouble with condensed water accumulated in the fuel tank. I am not sure if I have the water separator connected in-between the fuel lines. Can some one tell me what are the bronze color devices (#1 and #2) shown in the attached picture, #1 fuel filter and #2 water separator? Where can I buy these fuel filter and water separator? I read something about Racor water separator. What model of Racor water separator can be used on the Atomic-4 gas engine? And should I install it between Fuel tank and #1, or between #1 and #2, or between #2 and Carburetor? What attentions should be brought up if I try to install it by myself? Or is there any instruction document about installations for fuel filter and water separator?
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Chris Burti
Maybe two filters?
I'm guessing, but it really looks like two filters to me. If so, a Racor filter/separator could replace #1. I don't have the Racor link on this computer, but you can find it easily with a Google search (which will also turn up some sources). They have the specifications that should help you select the correct unit. There is a A4 user group on Sailnet that is reportedly pretty helpful and I'm sure an archive search here or there would turn up something if you can't find something quick.
I'm guessing, but it really looks like two filters to me. If so, a Racor filter/separator could replace #1. I don't have the Racor link on this computer, but you can find it easily with a Google search (which will also turn up some sources). They have the specifications that should help you select the correct unit. There is a A4 user group on Sailnet that is reportedly pretty helpful and I'm sure an archive search here or there would turn up something if you can't find something quick.
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Bill
Filter
They look like filters to me. Water separators/filters are usually mounted vertically on a wall, hull, bulkhead and are clear so that you can if there is water present. They also typically have a drain screw to drain off the water. Something you might want to install.
They look like filters to me. Water separators/filters are usually mounted vertically on a wall, hull, bulkhead and are clear so that you can if there is water present. They also typically have a drain screw to drain off the water. Something you might want to install.
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Dave
Filter
Leon: What you have are in-line filters....They only filter out debris and do nothing for your water problem...What you want to install is a Racor Gasoline Fuel Filter/Water Separator-Spin-On Series.... I use a S3227 Filter and it works just fine....Living in an area of in excess of 120 inches of rain a year I know all about water in fuel...This filter works just fine....Good Luck...
Leon: What you have are in-line filters....They only filter out debris and do nothing for your water problem...What you want to install is a Racor Gasoline Fuel Filter/Water Separator-Spin-On Series.... I use a S3227 Filter and it works just fine....Living in an area of in excess of 120 inches of rain a year I know all about water in fuel...This filter works just fine....Good Luck...
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Leon Loh
Thanks Dave
Thanks Dave, I assume that the Racor Gasoline Water Separator should be installed between the fuel tank and #1 fuel filter, right? I checked Racor website and I got confused with models 320R-RAC-01(S3227) w/ See-Thru bowl and 320R-RAC-02 (S3228UL) w/ Metal bowl. Should I use S3228 w/metal bowl which is designed for Inboard engine? And, any special attention that I should have for installing the device? Leon
Thanks Dave, I assume that the Racor Gasoline Water Separator should be installed between the fuel tank and #1 fuel filter, right? I checked Racor website and I got confused with models 320R-RAC-01(S3227) w/ See-Thru bowl and 320R-RAC-02 (S3228UL) w/ Metal bowl. Should I use S3228 w/metal bowl which is designed for Inboard engine? And, any special attention that I should have for installing the device? Leon
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Dave
Filter
Leon: I would suggest using the one with the metal bottom....USCG likes that one for gas engines. As for placement, I would take the two in-line filters out of the system...The RACOR is plenty big to filter sediment as well as water. I have mine located on the starboard bulkhead aft of the engine. It is a bit hard to get to a times, so I would say looking at your picture in the front of the engine on the starboard bulkhead would work fine. That way you can get to it readily to "drain" the water from the bottom of the filter. I would suggest not using spliced hoses...hose is cheap and splices always have the possiblity of leaking. Other than that you should be all set to go...Did you get your other problems of smoke and transmission etc. solved.?..DAVE
Leon: I would suggest using the one with the metal bottom....USCG likes that one for gas engines. As for placement, I would take the two in-line filters out of the system...The RACOR is plenty big to filter sediment as well as water. I have mine located on the starboard bulkhead aft of the engine. It is a bit hard to get to a times, so I would say looking at your picture in the front of the engine on the starboard bulkhead would work fine. That way you can get to it readily to "drain" the water from the bottom of the filter. I would suggest not using spliced hoses...hose is cheap and splices always have the possiblity of leaking. Other than that you should be all set to go...Did you get your other problems of smoke and transmission etc. solved.?..DAVE
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leon
A-4 Engine
Thanks again, Dave After spending about$5,000 to rebuild the A-4 engine two months ago, I paid the repair shop about another $1,000 to replace the carburetor, fuel pump and adjust the transmission to solve the problems that I stated in this forum weeks ago. However, I still have the problems of water contaminant in the fuel, resulting in the unpredictable stop of the engine. The repair shop was asking $300 - 400 to install the fuel/water separator but I refused. It should be an easy job for me to install one under $100. Leon
Thanks again, Dave After spending about$5,000 to rebuild the A-4 engine two months ago, I paid the repair shop about another $1,000 to replace the carburetor, fuel pump and adjust the transmission to solve the problems that I stated in this forum weeks ago. However, I still have the problems of water contaminant in the fuel, resulting in the unpredictable stop of the engine. The repair shop was asking $300 - 400 to install the fuel/water separator but I refused. It should be an easy job for me to install one under $100. Leon
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Dave
Water in Fuel
Leon: Yes, you can do it for under $100....A couple of things about water in fuel...If you want to pump your tanks out (use non-spark type pump) you can filter your fuel thru a chamois (the type you wipe your car down with)...The chamois will let the gasoline thru, but absorb the water...If you have a lot of water you may want to wring the chamois after every 5 gals or so....Also, they make a water absorbant compound (HEET) for mixing with a bit of water and burning clean in the engine...These techniques should give you a head start on getting the water out of the system and combined with the RAYCOR you will be thumbing your nose at the repair shop...Again Good luck..DAVE
Leon: Yes, you can do it for under $100....A couple of things about water in fuel...If you want to pump your tanks out (use non-spark type pump) you can filter your fuel thru a chamois (the type you wipe your car down with)...The chamois will let the gasoline thru, but absorb the water...If you have a lot of water you may want to wring the chamois after every 5 gals or so....Also, they make a water absorbant compound (HEET) for mixing with a bit of water and burning clean in the engine...These techniques should give you a head start on getting the water out of the system and combined with the RAYCOR you will be thumbing your nose at the repair shop...Again Good luck..DAVE
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Stu Jackson C34 1986 #224
Water in Fuel (deck caps)
Leon another question is where is the water coming from? Lots of folks have had trouble with their deck caps. Replacements can be found via the link. Stu
Leon another question is where is the water coming from? Lots of folks have had trouble with their deck caps. Replacements can be found via the link. Stu
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Steve
"O" ring under the cap is more likely
You could replace the fuel cap, but the most likely point for the water to enter the fuel system is through the "O" ring that seals the cap to the deck fitting. Try and replace this (a few cents) before you spend big bucks (a few dollars) on replacing the entire cap. I did have a similar problem with my '87 C-30, and was able to stop the incursion of water in this manner. Good luck. Steve
You could replace the fuel cap, but the most likely point for the water to enter the fuel system is through the "O" ring that seals the cap to the deck fitting. Try and replace this (a few cents) before you spend big bucks (a few dollars) on replacing the entire cap. I did have a similar problem with my '87 C-30, and was able to stop the incursion of water in this manner. Good luck. Steve
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Leon Loh
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Leon Loh
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