Merc QSD 2.0 Fuel System Question

[NorthernFocus]

OK first off let's dispense with the Cummins nonsense and call it what it is, a Mercruiser engine. I assume Cummins made some royalties for using their name for a few years but that's the only relation it has to this engine.(rant over)

Anyhow, does anyone actually use the bleed point on the secondary(i.e.engine mounted) fuel filter housing? If so, can you describe how in the heck you do it?

 

[tugnnaweigh]

The area you'll need to access is the front passenger side of the engine getting there from the back passenger side of the engine. The pump itself uses a flat handle you pull and push to pump air and fuel and there's a 14 or 15 mm hex head on the pump body you first turn a bit to "open" the pump so air and then eventually fuel squirts out as you pump.

I used a half moon wrench to turn this hex head and found that when the wrench was in place on the hex head the wrench stayed on the hex head and was in a horizontal orientation extending rearward towards me making opening and closing the hex head fairly easy. When you first place the wrench on the hex head have it's body as much towards the bow as possible, you'll be pulling it towards you to open the hex head. All you're doing here is 'cracking" a bleed screw so the quarter turn should work, did for me.

I found the pump handle hard to find, grasp and operate although it seemed oddly easier when fuel appeared, perhaps the pump itself is lubricated by the fuel.

As is typical with boats, you'll be working in an area your contorted to get to, on a thing you can barely glimpse, with your view obscured entirely by your hands when doing the task you actually need to do and when successful, you've made a mess with the fuel that the pump finally squirted.

Also, I think I had the ECM out at the time to send it out to have it read and that helped the access. Good Luck, let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Just Dreamin']

Dan,

I found for me the easy way to access the bleed point on the engine mounted secondary filter was to come at it through the cave. What I did, after a short discussion with Andrew (to make sure no structural issues), was to drop down and remove the battery switch selector panel and enlarge the opening. Also gives you little better access when it is belt changing time. Getting to the bleed point was a secondary benefit as at the time I was having to remove the complete fuel filter head. The threaded spud which the filter mounts to had actually worked itself up into the control head not allowing the filter make contact with the threads. That was a real head scratcher, but once I got the head off was able to remove the spud reinstall leaving appropriate threads for filter. Another benefit is you can lay down in the cave while getting to the engine. 😀

Mike

 

[NorthernFocus]

...I used a half moon wrench to turn this hex head and found that when the wrench was in place on the hex head the wrench stayed on the hex head and was in a horizontal orientation extending rearward towards me...

Sounds like you loosened the fuel outlet rather than the bleed port. I thought about that option but was hoping to figure out how to get at the bleeder thus avoiding potentially upsetting the copper washers on the outlet fitting. But may have to resort to that in the end.

I found the pump handle hard to find, grasp and operate...

I'm really puzzled by this one. There's nothing to "grasp" on my pump. It's basically a button that you push and has a spring return. By "grasp" do you just mean get your hand on it or do you have a different type pump?

...What I did, after a short discussion with Andrew (to make sure no structural issues), was to drop down and remove the battery switch selector panel and enlarge the opening....

Mike, you didn't happen to take any pics of the mod did you? It sounds interesting. I'm all for laying down on the job 😀

It would really be nice to be able to get at it well enough to put a bit of hose on the bleeder too so as to avoid any more fugitive diesel than necessary. My bride has an aversion to the smell of diesel in the cabin. Might should have stuck with outboard power... :?

 

[Just Dreamin']

Dan,

I did not take photos but can easily do so. I will take a couple this coming Monday when I return up to Lake Erie, had to come home for the weekend to mow grass, etc. :mrgreen: I have found each additional 1/2" of opening I can gain makes life 1/2" better for maintenance.

Mike

 

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, Mike. And true enough. Sometimes just the tiniest bit of extra room lets one see something, or reach it, or allows turning a wrench. Boats....