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Old 09-02-2016, 06:00   #1
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water in fuel

OTHER THAN CONDENSATION WHAT CAN CAUSE MY PRIMARY & SECONDARY FILTERS TO FILL UP WITH WATER?
I HAVE 2 FORD LEHMAN 120 DIESELS W/ SEPARATE 100 GALLON TANKS
PORT ENGINE NEVER QUITS DUE TO WATER IN FUEL.
STARBOARD ENGINE QUITS ABOUT 3 TIMES A YEAR.I'LL DRAIN BOTH FILTERS & IT RUNS FINE .
ANY IDEAS?
THANKS MIKE
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Old 09-02-2016, 06:03   #2
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Re: water in fuel

Vent outlets , fill covers leaking ? Does each engines fuel return line go to each respective tank ?
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Old 09-02-2016, 06:10   #3
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Re: water in fuel

Assuming the tanks are filled through separate inlets, the first thing I'd suggest checking is the O ring on the starboard filler cap. It's the most common cause of water ingress into the fuel.

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Old 09-02-2016, 06:26   #4
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Re: water in fuel

I would also suspect water ingress from somewhere if its happening that frequent and just to one system. Happened to me last year through an old fuel sending unit that the sealant had let go, amazing how much water can make its way in, my fuel looked like milk!!

After you find the prolem its best to ensure all the old fuel is removed/polished or the water in your sump will slosh its way into your new fuel.
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Old 09-02-2016, 06:37   #5
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pirate Re: water in fuel

Lousy old tanks at your filling station that are rusting out allowing seepage..
You were just unlucky maybe.. filling up when they were low and waiting on a delivery.. common problem.
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Old 10-02-2016, 05:37   #6
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Re: water in fuel

THANKS A BUNCH
I'LL CHECK THE O-RING.
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Old 10-02-2016, 12:45   #7
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water in fuel

Quote:
Originally Posted by athene View Post
Assuming the tanks are filled through separate inlets, the first thing I'd suggest checking is the O ring on the starboard filler cap. It's the most common cause of water ingress into the fuel.



GORDON KNIGHT

Most common water in the tanks reason, compressed o-rings at the filler caps.
Be sure to replace them with nitrile or fuel rated rubber rings as they will swell up if they are not for fuel.
Be sure to regularly check for water in those steel tanks, or they will get pinhole leaks.


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Old 10-02-2016, 12:59   #8
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Re: water in fuel

Don't check them, replace them, cheap and easy to do.
But, take a cap to the store with you, there are a few different sized caps, all about the same size, just slightly different
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Old 10-02-2016, 13:24   #9
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Re: water in fuel

Quote:
Originally Posted by fiberform View Post
OTHER THAN CONDENSATION WHAT CAN CAUSE MY PRIMARY & SECONDARY FILTERS TO FILL UP WITH WATER?
I HAVE 2 FORD LEHMAN 120 DIESELS W/ SEPARATE 100 GALLON TANKS
PORT ENGINE NEVER QUITS DUE TO WATER IN FUEL.
STARBOARD ENGINE QUITS ABOUT 3 TIMES A YEAR.I'LL DRAIN BOTH FILTERS & IT RUNS FINE .
ANY IDEAS?
THANKS MIKE
===

I had a similar thing happen to me three years ago. It turned out to be a defective fuel cooler/heat exchanger in the fuel return line back to the tank on my port side engine. Not all engines have them but it's worth checking if you do. You can test it by disconnecting the fuel lines and do a leak down test with compressed air.
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Old 23-02-2016, 16:14   #10
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Re: water in fuel

I CHANGED BOTH O-RINGS.
THEY BOTH SEEMED TO BE HARDENED.
IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE ONLY PROBLEM.
THANKS A BUNCH FOR ALL THE ADVISE.
MIKE
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