Fuel Filter / Polishing Setup

[steve_roach]

Hi,

This is for a 40hp Yanmar...

I'm trying to get some info around fuel filters / polishing. I think I want 2 identical filter sets that I can switch between and change the off-line elements. I also want to use this to polish the fuel.

Couple of questions:

- Will a 20micron + water separator followed by a 10micron filter be enough for each side?
- Can I plumb this in such a way that I can run the engine off one side and polish with the other side at the same time. i.e. would having the polishing loop running starve the engine side of fuel and, if not, can I run polished fuel to the fuel-return line while the engine is running or will this put pressure into a line where it should not be?

Not sure I explained that very well but any insight would be appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

[DeepFrz]

steve, have you done a search of the forum. There are lots of threads/posts about fuel filtering and fuel polishing.

[mbianka]

Steve:

You might save yourself some money by not going for a fuel polishing system and put a metal fuel grade inspection port instead. I recently opened up my uneeded diesel fuel tank as I now have electric propulsion and no longer have a need for diesel fuel. I was amazed at what was coating the bottom of the fuel tank when I looked inside. You can see some photos here:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: IN THE TANK: Part One, Scene of the grime!

and here

THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: IN THE TANK: Part 2, Steaming Ahead!

A fuel polishing would not have removed this tar like coating but, a bouncy rough sea might have suspended enough of the gunk to clog the pick up tube or filters. Clean out of the tank is not that difficult with a properly sized inspection port.