Racor 500FG fuel filter
I learned about the perils of fouled fuel within several hours of acquiring Czardas. Prior to my purchase, the boat probably had not been used for months and possibly years. Diesel fuel doesn’t do well sitting that long. Moisture condenses in the tank and fungus grows, clogging fuel filters (or worse) and ultimately stopping the engine. That’s what happened while motoring the boat to Seattle last year (see The Odyssey).
Diesel engines are said to have a few simple but absolute requirements and clean fuel is right there at the top. Fuel and filters can be changed but there was also a systemic issue in the form of a 35 gallon fuel tank. This is a large tank–convenient when making a long passage such as sailing from South Africa to the United States. But it is over sized for weekend sailing and limited coastal cruising. If fuel is not consumed quickly enough then eventually it will become fouled. Continue reading
