Opening window in head

[Stella Maris]

Being that we spend the majority of our boating time here in the Nevada desert, we asked Jeff to order us a couple of new windows to replace the fixed windows in the cockpit and the head. The installation was very simple, the additional air flow is great.

We also had the fuel filter relocated and a pressure gauge installed to identify when it is time to change the filter.

 

[sparky]

Thanks so much for this! We also recently asked Jeff about replacing that fixed head window.
Does the window open from the top or bottom?

We also need to move the tiny Racor filter as ours is in a totally inaccessible location, too low to service without spilling fuel all over the bilge. Could you share the make and model of the fuel filter you used?

Sparky
Starry Night
2009 R-25

 

[henrym]

Is that a vacuum or a pressure gauge? There should not be any pressure in the fuel filter lines.

Suggest you let that little filter feed the generator and replace its 10 micron filter element with a 2 micron filter element. You can then connect through the little dinky fuel filter to feed a Racor Marine 500MA filter assembly utilizing a 2 micron element . Install it towards the rear of the engine compartment where there is plenty of room. By using 2 micron primary filter elements, you will greatly reduce the frequency of having to change the secondary filters on the engine. Replacement Racor 500 filters are relatively inexpensive as I am told that the replacement Cummins fuel filter has a ridiculous price tag on it not to mention it is not the easiest thing to replace. I also suggest that you install a in line fuel shutoff valve to stop any fuel flowing out of or back into the fuel tank during filter changes.

Click on my photo album to see the 500 MA installation.

Henry

 

[Stella Maris]

The window opens from the bottom and locks in place. The toughest part or replacing the fixed window was getting the old one's gasket pulled loose. I took a small putty knife and carefully pushed it under the edges to break it loose. All in all it took about 15 minutes to complete the job. We are also replacing the fixed window in the cockpit with the same window. Jeff ordered these through his supplier. Cost was $400 and change each. (Boat, a hole in the water that sucks up all of your money)

The gauge is a vacuum gauge.

 

[j&lgray]

Henry, you said that you have put 2 micron filters in your filters. This is topic of much discussion in other forums. The pros of using a 2 micron filter is preserving the primary filter on the engine. The Cons are this filter will plug more quickly and will need to be changed more often. Not being an expert, I rely upon mechanics who do this for a living and like doctors they all have an opinion. My mechanic said that for the Yanmar engine, the 10 micron filter is perfectly adequate.

The other issue with the filters, besides particles, is water in the fuel. Check that bowl and empty water seen-it is heavier than the fuel.

Anyway, the principle here is that 90% of all problems with diesel engines are caused by dirty fuel. The prudent skipper will (1) buy fuel from suppliers that are relatively busy because they probably have "fresher" fuel than others, and (2) change those fuel filters on a regular basis. A vacuum gauge on the fuel line between the Racor filter and the engine will tell you when there is a change in the pressure needed to pull the fuel through the filter-higher the pressure, probably a plugging filter. My mechanic says, change all the fuel filters every year or every 100 hours whichever comes first.

On the Laurie Ann, we changed the filters at 150 hours, 250 hours and at 400 hours: when we started our 90 day, 1,600 mile river trip, at the mid-way point and when we came back home to Seattle.

 

[henrym]

It is common knowledge that a diesel engine does not like contaminated or dirty fuel... I would much prefer passing 2 micron contaminates than 10 micron contaminates through an injector nozzle. Contaminates tend to erode injector nozzles orifices to the point that a proper spray pattern is not achieved resulting in improper combustion, loss of power etc. It is a simple matter to install a larger properly sized Racor 500MA utilizing a 2 micron element. Changing the element in the 500MA is quicker (less than a minute) and easier than servicing a raw water strainer on the R-25. You never know when you are going to pick up bad fuel until after the fact, when you are out on the water in some remote area without a mechanic on board with a clogged fuel filter. Little Toot carries four replacement 2 micron filters. Clean fuel and good clean lubrication make for a happy long running diesel engine. The 150 QSD is the 15th marine diesel engine I have owned. Never had to engage the services of a mechanic as I have done my own maintenance and the only problems I have encountered were caused by contaminated fuel that resulted in clogged filters. I'll take a 2 micron filter over 10 micron filter any day of the week.
Henry