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Old 05-13-2019, 08:20 AM   #3
sledge
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City: Eastcoast
Vessel Model: American Tug 41
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 254
I agree with Smitty; there are some generic recommendations on number of engine hours, but it doesn't compensate for reality in terms of the varying quality of fuels you fill the tanks with as you visit different fuel docks... or even if you use the same fuel dock. they could deliver different quality/cleanliness over time.
I've got a main vacuum gauge right at the Racors, and a secondary gauge up at the helm station so we can watch it while under way.
Secondly, if you have a glass bowl below the Racor; I shine a flashlight behind the glass (part of our startup checklist) and look for sediment/debris and water in the fuel. if it seems a bit dirty even if the vacuum gauge is ok, I'll go ahead and replace it.
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