[C320-list] Fuel line

[Dan Winsor via C320-list]

Wishing on a star that someone out there in the hive might know the I.D. of
the rubber fuel hose, from tank to engine, on an early 320 with a Perkins
engine. I have just had my first "no start" experience in 20 years of
sailing my 320. I am far from home and trying to make repairs as I limp
home. No visible writing on my hose and I can't risk opening my fuel system
to measure.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Dan Winsor
Lucky Devil #109 Mattapoisett, MA.

[Jeff Smith via C320-list]

Dan,

My fuel tank drawing shows 3/8” for the pick-up and return. I assume this is I.D. I can’t find my receipts from when I purchased the fuel line, but this “seems right” to me.

I will keep looking for the receipt. Good luck!

Jeff
#121

[Jeff Smith via C320-list]

Dan,

I bought 20’ of 5/16 ID A1-15 from the Racorstore. That is what I installed.

Good luck,

Jeff
#121

> On Jul 26, 2024, at 8:35 PM, Dan Winsor via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>

[Jack Brennan via C320-list]

Can't help you on the fuel line, but here are some troubleshooting ideas.

The most common reason for a no start is gunk in the fuel tank. Often, there is a screen at the end of the pickup line. If it is clogged, diesel should not run out of the fuel line when you disconnect it from the Racor, which I assume is in the bilge at the usual spot near the prop shaft. Put a cup under the line.

The fix is simple: Blow into the fuel line until it is clear. The tank is higher than the bilge, so fuel should start flowing. Having someone flip the shutoff valve at the tank is a good idea while you reconnect the line.

A clogged filter is another obvious choice. I assume you've already checked that.

Loosen the bleeding screw on the secondary filter on the engine. When you crank the engine, diesel should start leaking out. If it doesn't, there's a good chance your fuel pump isn't working.

Lastly, if you're cranking for more than 10 seconds, close the water intake through hull so you don't flood the engine. You can re-open it when the engine catches.

Good luck.

Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.



________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dan Winsor via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Sent: Friday, July 26, 2024 8:35 PM
To: c320...@lists.catalina320.com <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>
Cc: Dan Winsor <dandw...@gmail.com>
Subject: [C320-list] Fuel line

[Dave Hupe via C320-list]

I can confirm 5/16" i.d. hose because I looked very recently at my hose and saw the markings. Also, 20'  total  should replace both the feed line and the return line based on my own measurements.  Plus, Jeff Smith has confirmed this for our Perkins engines. 
This keeps reminding me to replace my hoses and rebuild my Racor filter assembly with the parts kit I bought. 
Dave Hupe
1994 C320 #32

Yahoo Mail: Search, Organize, Conquer

[Dan Winsor via C320-list]

Thank you Jeff. I am going with 3/8"

[Dan Winsor via C320-list]

Thanks Dave! Now I'm going with 5/16".

[Bob Borelli via C320-list]

Thank you all you Perkins Perama M30 engine owners for your continuous priceless experienced commentary on how to resolve M30 issues!

A no start is a symptom but not necessarily the cause of a 'no start'.
For the first time at the beginning of this season I had my first & continuous 'no start' to 'hard to start' my M30.
First I assumed the worst, but after several checks, I found that the Racor filter needed a few turns to tighten into the gasket.
Air leak into the fuel supply.
65 diesel hours later this season, the M30 continues to start as reliably as before.

A very good idea to change the fuel supply & return hoses.
Replace the Racor assembly with new.
Fuel pump from Parts4Engines inexpensive, I'm thinking why not have one available.
And if there is gunk in the fuel tank then must have the tanks fuel polished & the tank bottom, cleaned if that's possible.
And always the potential for the old aluminum fuel tank to leak & require replacement, based on the many reoccurring experiences provided on this list.

Its all worth when I'm under sail!

Bob Borelli 1995 Perkins M30 on no. 209 Sassafras River, MD

________________________________
From: C320-list <c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com> on behalf of Dan Winsor via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com>

Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2024 9:12 AM
To: C320...@catalina320.com <C320...@catalina320.com>
Cc: Dan Winsor <dandw...@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fuel line

[ART HARDEN via C320-list]

I checked Tortuga and it looks more like 3/8”, but it was hard to read. I will look again when we get back to the boat. I would check the OD or buy a foot of each and compare.

Sent from my iPhone
Art Harden
Catalina 320 "Tortuga" E-62
937.885.9380 (o)
937.477.5544 (m)

> On Jul 27, 2024, at 9:13 AM, Dan Winsor via C320-list <c320...@lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
> Thanks Dave! Now I'm going with 5/16".

[ART HARDEN via C320-list]

Tortuga is #243 and one of the last Perkins. I am not sure how many after but I know the change was soon after Tortuga about #250

Sent from my iPhone
Art Harden
Catalina 320 "Tortuga" E-62
937.885.9380 (o)
937.477.5544 (m)

> On Jul 27, 2024, at 9:45 AM, ART HARDEN <arts...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> I checked Tortuga and it looks more like 3/8”, but it was hard to read. I will look again when we get back to the boat. I would check the OD or buy a foot of each and compare.