Hi, Was out this past weekend sailing in some awesome wind in the Puget Sound and ran into a problem when heading back to the slip. Basically, I could not get the motor to anything over 2800 RPMs under load. When I tried to push it to ~3000 rpms, it would instantly drop down to ~2400 rpms and a ton of white smoke poured out from the exhaust. I was able to make it back to the slip though at a reasonable 2500rpms. I've convinced myself this is because of crap in the diesel tank being sloshed around while were pounding away sailing. I'm also thinking I've got an algae problem because when I removed my Racor there was quite a bit of black specks, which then leads me to believe my diesel tank has been infested due to water in the fuel. My question then is: Is there a way to remove the diesel tank in the Vision 32? The locker openings seem too small to get the tank out....has anyone tried? I'm guessing the other option to clean it is to cut an access port into the top. Has anyone done this successfully...on any boat? Any advice? thanks, matt
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Before You Do That, Matt
I would suggest having a marine mechanic look at it. It may not be that at all. Also, a commercial fuel scrubbing outfit can clean the fuel and tank without a cut-out. I don't know how you could get the tank out without removing the panel aft of the aft cabin berth. Any of these things will be a pretty ugly job, so I'd go after the problem professionally first, since there may be a simpler solution. Good luck, Rick D.
I would suggest having a marine mechanic look at it. It may not be that at all. Also, a commercial fuel scrubbing outfit can clean the fuel and tank without a cut-out. I don't know how you could get the tank out without removing the panel aft of the aft cabin berth. Any of these things will be a pretty ugly job, so I'd go after the problem professionally first, since there may be a simpler solution. Good luck, Rick D.
White Smoke...
...is a sign of air in the fuel line. This will also cause a loss of rpm's. Did you change filters lately and not bleed it properly? Or maybe air is seeping in thru a cracked input line? Try to bleed the fuels lines, first. I would ask around about the black flecks. And as Rick says, you can have the fuel scrubbed without removing the tank, which could be a time-consuming and messy process.
...is a sign of air in the fuel line. This will also cause a loss of rpm's. Did you change filters lately and not bleed it properly? Or maybe air is seeping in thru a cracked input line? Try to bleed the fuels lines, first. I would ask around about the black flecks. And as Rick says, you can have the fuel scrubbed without removing the tank, which could be a time-consuming and messy process.
Maybe water
I thought white smoke indicated water (ie. steam) which might point to the mixing elbow getting clogged. There's plenty in the Archives on that subject. If it is the fuel filters, as Paul suggests, try to fill the cup with diesel before rescrewing it back in. That often precludes having to bleed. Look at the fuel filter as half-full instead of half-empty. It's doing its job, and very well. I've seen black specs, and no subsequent problem once the filter was replaced.
I thought white smoke indicated water (ie. steam) which might point to the mixing elbow getting clogged. There's plenty in the Archives on that subject. If it is the fuel filters, as Paul suggests, try to fill the cup with diesel before rescrewing it back in. That often precludes having to bleed. Look at the fuel filter as half-full instead of half-empty. It's doing its job, and very well. I've seen black specs, and no subsequent problem once the filter was replaced.
check exhaust elbow
bough 4 year old 336.white smoke then black smoke then raw fuel.rpm max 2400 to 1900.spoke to old timer.checked exhaust elbow (gm30).of the two openings inside elbow,raw water and exhaust,one was totally clogged the other 1/3open.chiseled openings,wire brushed,remounted.i now have 3600 rpm.time to remove elbow and replace 10 minutes.or replace cast elbow.
bough 4 year old 336.white smoke then black smoke then raw fuel.rpm max 2400 to 1900.spoke to old timer.checked exhaust elbow (gm30).of the two openings inside elbow,raw water and exhaust,one was totally clogged the other 1/3open.chiseled openings,wire brushed,remounted.i now have 3600 rpm.time to remove elbow and replace 10 minutes.or replace cast elbow.
check yellow pages
on one occasion i had a tank cleaning individual that came to my dock with a portable vacuum for diesel cleaning.1.sucked diesel out,filtered,under pressure returned diesel to tank under pressure thus dislodging sediment,refiltered.total cost 50 bucks and kept fuel.
on one occasion i had a tank cleaning individual that came to my dock with a portable vacuum for diesel cleaning.1.sucked diesel out,filtered,under pressure returned diesel to tank under pressure thus dislodging sediment,refiltered.total cost 50 bucks and kept fuel.
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