Update on fuel issues: I spent a few hours more on the fuel system last weekend and things seem to be working, but unfortunately I am not sure what fixed it or even if it is fixed. I replaced several more fuel lines and removed the vacuum gauge I had installed between the tank and the Racor just to simplify the possible vacuum leak points. All the hoses looked good, but apparently you can’t always tell. With the hose end heated in hot water trick, I was able to get the new hose on, but it was still a real battle in tight places. The fittings were variable in size and style and some were really challenging. After completing the connections, I turned on the fuel pump, expecting it to pull fuel from the tank and fill the Racor bowl. It did not. So I opened the Racor bowl, filled it and tested again, and the bowl stayed full. I pulled the fuel level sensor so I could see inside the tank, and I could see fuel coming out of the return tube from the engine. That told me I was in fact pumping fuel. I then ran the engine for 30 min and all seemed well. I am hoping it is fixed but it is frustrating that I don’t know what was wrong. Apparently, my “does the pump fill the bowl" test was not the correct way to assess function. Is it possible that when the pump is full of air it can’t pull enough vacuum to feed the Racor? Also, given that the original problem occurred twice a week apart, with it working fine for hours in between has me worried it will occur again. Intermittent problems are the worst! Fingers crossed. I plan to replace the Racor with a newer model with a gauge built into the lid before next season. I found new filters for my 200 Turbine series, but it seems they are getting harder to locate. Probably not going to run out in my sailing lifetime, but the newer Racors seem a decent upgrade. Dave
S/V Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT > On Sep 25, 2021, at 3:36 PM, Korbey Hunt via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > wrote: > > When installing a hose to nipple fitting i recomnend using a hair dryer to > warm the hose and liquid dish soap to lube the nipple barb. > > Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> > From: cenelson via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 3:09:10 PM > To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> > Cc: cenelson <cenel...@aol.com> > Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump > > Had a similar problem to yours several years ago. After doing most of what > you have done, my diesel mechanic suggested just replacing the Racor MA > 500(?) top plate since even a little over tightening can push the middle down > enough that the O-ring on the circumference will leak enough that after > running for a while the air inside it gets into the fuel lines. > > This was a cheap enough thing to do that I did it—along with a few other > ‘fixes’ and the problem went away. > > Since it was not the only change I made, I can’t be certain that the new top > plate solved the problem or if it was something else. > > Note I am pretty sure that the instructions for the Racor say to only hand > tighten this plate or something similar—I now know why! > > Given how little extra tightening it would take at the Center to deflect the > circumference/O-ring joint enough to suck air in, (probably a few microns > could break the vacuum seal) and over time you have air bubbles that get to > the engine or at least prevent fuel from getting to the engine. > > FWIW, > > Charlie Nelson > > > Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS > <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Faol-news-email-weather-video%2Fid646100661&data=04%7C01%7C%7C4c63e0fcb6e74b16a67e08d97edecee9%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637680317687570152%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=pXd69QGBqdzp8xQNHtBbEb4CypY8i%2Fmkeu8qWLgiw6w%3D&reserved=0> > > On Thursday, September 23, 2021, 12:36 PM, David Knecht via CnC-List > <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > > I meant bypass the Racor, turn on the pump and collect fuel into a secondary > container to test. I agree that I would not run the engine that way. I am > presuming that the flow of fuel through the filter should be a good test of > the system since the problem was I was getting air into the primary Racor > holder, so a vacuum leak likely somewhere. Dave > > S/V Aries > 1990 C&C 34+ > New London, CT > > <pastedGraphic.tiff> > >> On Sep 23, 2021, at 9:53 AM, Neil Andersen <neil.eric.ander...@gmail.com >> <mailto:neil.eric.ander...@gmail.com>> wrote: >> > > I would think that risky. If the Racor is the issue because it is doing its > job and there is particulate matter coming from the tank, bypassing it will > allow the matter to get to the engine. > > Neil Andersen > 1982 C&C 32, FoxFire > Rock Hall, MD 21661 > 484-354-8800 > From: David Knecht via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com > <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> > Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 9:36:44 AM > To: CnC CnC discussion list <cnc-list@cnc-list.com > <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> > Cc: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com <mailto:davidakne...@gmail.com>> > Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump > > Hi Dennis- The Racor looks OK, but of course that says nothing. I don’t know > the Racor model but it is older since it does not have the threaded top that > you can add a gauge to. Since that is a more expensive alteration, I thought > I would replace the fuel lines first and see if that fixes the problem. If > not, I thought I would bypass the Racor and see if it works that way and if > so, replace the Racor itself. Dave > > S/V Aries > 1990 C&C 34+ > New London, CT > > <pastedGraphic.tiff> > >> On Sep 23, 2021, at 9:31 AM, Dennis C. via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com >> <mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com>> wrote: >> >> What type of fuel filter do you have? If it's a Racor MA500, the top may be >> warped or the gasket may be cracked or displaced. Those are not infrequent >> issues with that filter. Either condition could result in air inleakage. >> >> >> -- >> Dennis C. >> Touche' 35-1 #83 >> Mandeville, LA >> Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with >> the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use >> PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray >> <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fstumurray&data=04%7C01%7C%7C4c63e0fcb6e74b16a67e08d97edecee9%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637680317687570152%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=4GMncIqPj3xin2HNn1dqoauoQDm6F1dpLjvGFoYBfk4%3D&reserved=0> >> Thanks - Stu > > > Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with > the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use > PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paypal.me%2Fstumurray&data=04%7C01%7C%7C4c63e0fcb6e74b16a67e08d97edecee9%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637680317687580146%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=cdlAFays1s%2FIQu0AEgxrXq8vA0snpZ40DjzHCSxJn9o%3D&reserved=0>Thanks > - Stu > Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with > the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use > PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
Thanks to all of the subscribers that contributed to the list to help with the costs involved. If you want to show your support to the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray Thanks - Stu
