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Old 06-20-2017, 10:04 PM   #21
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Thank you all for your valued input. I've distilled all of your kind advice, and now have a day tank with:
- Racor 500 with 10mic filter on the inlet, with Walbro 40gph pump sucking the juice
- 1 x Racor 900 for each engine, with 2Mic filters, gravity-fed from the Day tank
- secondary filters on each engine with 2Mic again.

Thanks again!
Eamonn
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Old 07-08-2017, 12:19 AM   #22
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So here's an update, after about 300 miles with the new tank. It works very well, and the comfort of knowing that the engines are completely isolated from the crud in the tanks is very satisfying.

However, something is not quite right. The engines don't start up first turn, like they used to. With the throttle on minimum (previous setting), they will crank for 7-8 secs before firing. If I raise the throttle a notch, it's much quicker.

Im looking at two areas:

- Because of availability, we had to use 1/2" hose from the day tank to the final Racors, and 5/16th from there to the lift pump. Could the mix of hose be causing a problem?

- the day tank sits lower than the main tanks, with the bottom of the tank level with the final Racors. Could this be the cause?

There is no sign of a leak anywhere in the system.

Suggestions appreciated.

Thanks!
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Old 07-08-2017, 06:14 AM   #23
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The fuel could be draining back further to a now lower tank?
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Old 07-08-2017, 06:56 AM   #24
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Make sure the Racors don't have a lot of air in them, fuel level inside should be within an inch of the top.

Also, how are return lines from engines run back to the tank? Some engines like the return to actually be a dip tube to prevent air from backing into system on shutdown.

The size of the hose should not matter much, but can trap and hold air in high spots. Flow rate is not fast enough to wash the air through.

What engines are these?
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Old 07-08-2017, 06:59 AM   #25
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Content

Two areas to contemplate:

Air in system resulting from all new plumbing. Did you use Rectorseal 5 or similar on all new fittings? Air could possibly lead to drain back as PSN suggests

Secondly, you've added to the suction head, maybe too much for the lift pumps. Smaller lines as you note and 2 microns in the Racors.

Are the Ivecos electronic? How long would it take for them to start if they sat for a month? Look for my AIS, love to see your boat, it sounds marvelous.
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Old 07-08-2017, 07:07 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FF View Post
"Also, in my foggy mind I seem to recall that a Racor is better utilized under a vacuum than with a pump feeding it."

Every filter does better having fuel sucked thru as the pump can chop up and mix the water or goop in the fuel making it harder to filter.
But isnt every primary filter on diesels positioned post pump?
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Old 07-08-2017, 07:13 AM   #27
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If the injector pump itself loses pressure it can take a while to fire. Cracking the throttle open a bit allows more air flow too, so maybe check the air filter? Just a couple of thoughts.
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Old 07-08-2017, 07:27 AM   #28
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Maybe install an anti-siphon valve between day tank and filters?
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Old 07-08-2017, 08:03 AM   #29
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The anti siphon valve on my tank doesnt seem to work well enough to keep things from draining back or pulling air into the system.

Once the fuel level in my starboard tank gets low, every once and awhile I have a low power or stalling issue unless I bleed to the fuel injection pump.

Summer project to chase that bad boy.
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Old 07-08-2017, 08:14 AM   #30
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Do you have a vacuum gauge on the racor between the day tank and the lift pump to measure what your lift pump is seeing pressure wise? Most engine manufacturers spec 30 micron primaries for a reason. Our lift pump is 3' above the outlet valve on our day tank and our racor primary filters so we normally see -1 psi on the gauge underway. Although we filter at 10 micron going into the day tank we filter at 30 going to the lift pump. Here is a 6 month old 30 micron primary.Click image for larger version

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ID:	66501 and here is the 10 micron daytank filter when the vacuum just started to build. Guesstimate of at least 3k gallons of use.Click image for larger version

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Old 07-08-2017, 08:24 AM   #31
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"Cracking the throttle open a bit allows more air flow too, so maybe check the air filter? Just a couple of thoughts."

There is no throttle plate to open on a diesel engine.

The air is wide open and the power / RPM is set by the throttle lever allowing more or less fuel injection.

"But isnt every primary filter on diesels positioned post pump?"

Usually , that is why caution must be exercised with the use of an emulsifier additive.

A set of secondary filters Fram , Raycor, whatever does a better job when fuel is sucked thru them before feeding the engine.
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Old 07-08-2017, 01:55 PM   #32
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Thank you all for your suggestions.

Ski: I'll check the air when I dock in Port Townsend shortly....good call. I have a loop on the return hoses, so that should not be the cause. The engines are Iveco 150, mechanical lift pump.

Sunchaser: not sure which one, but I've got sealant on all joints. In the end, I used 10mic filters on the Racors between the day tank and engine. If I don't find air in there, I'll switch to 30mic. Good idea.

Cafesport: I've got a vacuum gauge, aim to fit it today. Thanks for that!

I'll report back

Cheers, Eamonn.
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Old 07-08-2017, 06:22 PM   #33
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This is why less is more.

You're engine was happy.
But you weren't.
Now, your happy.
And your engine?
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Old 07-12-2017, 02:48 PM   #34
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Well, we took a few things apart, and found a badly-fitted pickup tube in the day tank. Looks like non-diesel tubing, and it had expanded with the heat. That explained the port engine issue. We also found Some grit under the lid on the starboard final Racor (that one was my fault)
I got some great help from Shawn, engineer on a big tug in Neah Bay - put us in good shape for the start of our trip down the west coast.
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Old 07-12-2017, 04:39 PM   #35
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Glad it worked out, MV Content! Purdy boat you have there!
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