Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-17-2014, 07:05 AM   #1
Member
 
City: Forked River
Vessel Name: Godspeed
Vessel Model: Marine Trader/Sundeck
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 8
Fuel return question

Our new (to us) trawler was recently delivered to our home base in NJ from Fl. It has 2 Perkins 6.354 engines and a generator.

I have noticed that all 3 fuel return lines are closed. I can only assume that it made the trip with them closed. Seems to run fine.

Is this normal to close the return valves? I had always thought they should be open, but I am still a bit of a novice.

Look forward to your comments.
Thanks!
proselli is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 07:12 AM   #2
Guru
 
N4712's Avatar
 
City: South FL
Vessel Name: Oliver
Vessel Model: Nordhavn 47 Hull# 12
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,607
They should ALWAYS be open. If you run them them with the returns closed you'll blow out the injector pumps.
__________________
Thanks, Oliver
M/V Oliver
Nordhavn 47 Hull #12
N4712 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 08:12 AM   #3
Guru
 
Rebel112r's Avatar
 
City: Birch bay wa
Vessel Name: Rogue
Vessel Model: North Pacific 42
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 648
I have seen the results of leaving return line closed. Secondary fuel filter gasket blows out, and lots of fuel sprayed around. This on older CAT engines, don't know about new common rail engines but not a good idea. Older Perkins might be plumbed with return feeding the inlet side,
Rebel112r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 08:16 AM   #4
Guru
 
High Wire's Avatar
 
City: Cape May, NJ
Vessel Name: Irish Lady
Vessel Model: Monk 36
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,966
I would re-trace those lines out again. Something is not right.
__________________
Archie
Irish Lady
1984 Monk 36 Hull #46
Currently in Cape May, NJ
High Wire is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 08:40 AM   #5
Guru
 
rwidman's Avatar
 
City: North Charleston, SC
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 4,870
Quote:
Originally Posted by High Wire View Post
I would re-trace those lines out again. Something is not right.
Yes. Are you sure they were closed? Are you sure someone didn't close them after the trip?

If you are uncertain, have a diesel mechanic check them. The excess fuel needs to go somewhere.
rwidman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 03:11 PM   #6
Valued Technical Contributor
 
DavidM's Avatar
 
City: Litchfield, Ct
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,786
Some diesel engines return very little fuel. Others return several times what they burn. I know that the Perkins returns a fair amount because on my friend's trawler with twin Perkins 6.354s he uses a cross return to balance the heel that develops.

But in any case there should be a place for the return fuel to go. Are you sure that you are looking at everywhere the return fuel can go? Usually return can be directed to the starboard or port tanks and sometimes forward or aft. As others have said, trace the flow path to find out everywhere it can be going. I'll bet you find another set of valves that are open.

David
DavidM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 04:49 PM   #7
Guru
 
hmason's Avatar
 
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,760
Be sure the valves that "appear" closed really are closed. I have seen valves installed incorrectly where the handle appears to be in the closed position but is in fact in the open position. I doubt your boat would run that far without a problem if the valves were closed. The return fuel must be going somewhere.
Congrats on the new boat. Howard
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
hmason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 05:38 PM   #8
TF Site Team
 
City: Ex-Brisbane, (Australia), now Bribie Island, Qld
Vessel Name: Now boatless - sold 6/2018
Vessel Model: Had a Clipper (CHB) 34
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,101
My fuel return goes back to the primary filter - a very simple but effective arrangement, but it works. Of course I only have an old faithful Lehman 120 (non-turbo).
__________________
Pete
Peter B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2014, 08:25 PM   #9
Guru
 
cappy208's Avatar
 
City: Cape Cod
Vessel Name: Slip Aweigh
Vessel Model: Prairie 29
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,219
Don't know about your specific engine, but my perkins 4.236 burns around a gallon an hour. But it pumps around 8 an hour. So, either the returns are plumbed back to the primary filter, or you haven't properly traced the lines. OR the valves handles are not indicating correctly.
cappy208 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Trawler Port Captains
Port Captains are TF volunteers who can serve as local guides or assist with local arrangements and information. Search below to locate Port Captains near your destination. To learn more about this program read here: TF Port Captain Program





All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:01 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2006 - 2012