Diesel Fuel "Polishing" System

[SailDan]

I recall seeing an article, I believe on this website, or maybe in Mainsheet on a "diesel fuel polishing / cleaning" system for the C-34.  It mounts on the bulkhead where the Racor filter is located. I don't remember who wrote the article and I can't seem to locate it using the our web-site's search feature: "diesel fuel polishing or cleaning".  I am considering installing the system on Weal Sea.  HELP Stu or Ron.
Dan  
Weal Seal #1289

[Ray & Sandy Erps]

If you put quite a few hours on your motor each year, the stock fuel system polishes the fuel already.  The engine returns quite a bit of the fuel back to the tank after going through both filters again and again and again.

[SailDan]

Erps,
I hear you and appreciate your comments.  I was aware that there was some recycling and polishing of diesel by the engine.  However, we have had problems with dirty diesel at least 4 or 5 times in the last 4 years. This is true despite the routine use of anti-algae additive. In deed, I had to pull my fuel tank and have it steam-cleaned last spring.  Since we are planning to take Weal Sea on an extended trip from Lake Michigan (Chicago area) to the Bahamas via the Trent-Seven and Erie Canals, Hudson River, ICW and Florida, we expect to encounter at least few of "small" marinas with potentially dirty fuel (low turn-over).  Skipper Bob's book on the Bahamas also suggests that you can expect to find dirty fuel on some of the smaller islands. Therefore, I'd like to install a diesel fuel cleaning / polishing system.
Dan
Weal Sea, 1994 #1289
PS... Maybe some of our C-34 members who have sailed to the Bahamas can comment on their experiences regarding the quality of diesel available?

[Ray & Sandy Erps]

Hello Dan,
Looking forward to the day when we can start making trips like that.  I know it still doesn't answer your quesiton directly, but practical sailor rated some Bahama Filters a while back.  An inexpensive filter by West Marine rated very well for filtering out the crap before it even goes into your tank.  That would be a good start and it's a low tech, so it won't break down.

Ray

[SailDan]

FOUND THE ARTICLE!   :)
First, Ray... thanks for the suggestion concerning the West Marine Bahama Filter.  I'll check it out.  I know Racor makes funnels which filter out water and debris while fueling up: Racor Fuel Funnel Model #RFF1C (2 gal/min), #RFF3C (3.9 gal/min) and #RFF8C (5 gal/min). I have a brochure from Racor but they don't list the cost.

Concerning the article I was looking for, I finally found it by searching my back issues of Mainsheet.  It was written by Bill Nuttal, C-34 Technical Editor, and publish under the title "Diesel Dialysis" in the August 2000 issue, C-34 Technical Notes, pages T15-T16. Its a great article with diagrams and information on sourcing the parts needed. Check it out.
Dan

[Stu Jackson]

Dan

Glad you found it,  What's the URL?

As a reminder, folks, the main website search engine does NOT search the TEXT of the Online Tech Notes BECAUSE they are in PDF format.

The ONLY thing it can search are the "headings" of the articles which are posted in the Tech Notes INDEX page.

I have previously recommended to all that you simply COPY the entire Tech Notes INDEX into your word processor, and then use the word processor's own search (CNTL-F) to find a topic.  It's much easier.

Yeah, yeah, I know more work, but c'mon, there's SOOOOO much information here, all's we can do, as Dan asked, is try to help.

Thanks for listening.

[APACHE]

Guys : If you run your M25XP engine with the bleed valve closed, there is little or no fuel returned to the tank!!!!
If you don't believe me check it for yourself.  Remove the fuel return line and reinsert another short piece of 1/4" fuel line.  Run that short piece of line into a coffee can or other container.  Start the engine with the bleed valve turned off and see how much fuel (if any) flows into the container.

That's why I've recommended that you run your engine all the time, with the bleed valve cracked 1/4 to 1/2 turn ON.  That way you'll circulate fuel thru the Racor and the excess back into the tank.  Westerbeake calls that procedure "a self bleeding system".
A thought.  

[SailDan]

Stu,
I found the article the old fashion way... dug through my hard copies of Tech Notes which I keep in a loose-leaf folder. However, I did check the Tech Notes index on this site this evening and found the following URL for the index to the August 2000 issue.  The article is list in the index but I was not able to open it with my "old computer" ( ): http://www.c34ia.org/mainsheet/pdf/0800.pdf
Dan

[SailDan]

Ron,
That's a great piece if information, i.e. running the engine with the bleeder valve partially open to ensure recycling of the fuel to the tank!

However, I note that you specifically referred to the M25XP engine.  Does the same rule apply to the Universal 30 hp (M35?) as well as other Universal / Westerbeake engines;... leave the bleeder open 1/4 to 1/2 turn?
Dan

[APACHE]

Dan : I'm sure that the M35A & B are in the same "boat" as far as the bleed valve.  I talked to Joe Joyce (Westerbeake Service Manager) and he said that was the way to go.  
I've posted this a few times before and usually get similar comments.  

[SailDan]

Thanks Ron.... I'll assume the partially open bleeder valve rule for the M25XP also applies to the M35 engines per your comments here.
Dan

[Dale Thompson]

Been reading about running with the bleed valve partially open.  I have a M35B engine and I can't locate anything looking like a bleed valve that returns the fuel to tank.  

Can anyone in this vast arena of knowledge please enlighten me?

[APACHE]

Dan : Beside running with the bleed valve slightly open you need a couple of other items.  Get an inline Kubota filter (made for diesel) to use in an emergency and also buy a West Marine (Baja) fuel strainer/separator/funnel (it was written up in Practical sailor).