Perkins Diesel

[Bill lowe]

I have a Perkins Perama M-20 Deisel in My Beneteau OC 281. I want to change the fuel filter and know nothing about diesel engines. Is the fuel line/filter under pressure at all times or just when the engine is running? Assuming I can get the old filter off and the new one on, (not a lot of room to work) won't there be a big air void in the line? What do I do about that? Do fuel filters, like oil filters , just go on hand tight?Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Gord May]

Fuel Filtres & Bleeding

From: www.FoleyEngines.com Most people introduce air into their system when they change their secondary fuel filter (the one up on the engine). You can avoid this problem by always filling your fuel canister to the brim when you change the filters.There are two schools of thought on how to bleed a fuel system. One school says to bleed from the source (i.e., the tank) toward the injectors. The other school of thought recognizes that most air is introduced when you change fuel filters and suggests you start there. We think this is a good place to begin for this and the additional reason that air rises. To bleed the fuel filter loosen three turns the bleed screw on the IN side of the filter. Pump the priming lever on the fuel lift pump until fuel spurts out without any air bubbles. Retighten the screw and move on to the OUT side of the filter and repeat the purging process. Then start the engine and see if you have eliminated the air.If you still have air, bleed the injectors. Loosen each one - or the bleed screw if they have one (Perkins do not) - starting with the one nearest the high pressure pump. Use the priming lever on the transfer pump until clear fuel comes out. Then move on to the other injectors. Then bleed the high pressure injection pump. Locate the bleed nipples. On a Perkins 4108 mechanical (not hydraulic) pump the upper bleed nipple is at the right corner of the pump as you face the side of the engine. Start though with the lower nipple directly below this one.