2savage
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 24, 2021
- Messages
- 65
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-30 S
- Vessel Name
- SAVAGE II
After almost being disabled off the New Jersey coast and struggling into NY harbor it was time to get the diesel mechanics to work on my R29 again. What they found was eye opening and a potential failure for ALL Rangers with an inboard engine and/or bilge fuel tank.
The symptoms and engine codes pointed to fuel delivery issues and the mechanic started at the primary filter, which was new and should not have been suspect. It did however show significant discoloration of the internal element after it had been removed and cut open. So now the fuel pickup tube was pulled from the tank and what we found was shocking. Thick black crud blocked the entire gauze mesh that serves as a primary defense to fuel debris. Using a camera a photo of the tank inside showed more dirt at the bottom of the tank. What had happened here was a boat being used for flat water bay cruising over a period of 11 years, then a new owner (me) heading into rough waters on a 600 mile delivery that included an Atlantic passage in significant seas that stirred up fuel tank deposits. The resulting clog of the mesh at the bottom of the fuel pickup caused a low fuel pressure situation whose significant engine code for a Yanmar was P0088.
The solution was to suck out tank deposits using an oil change machine then remove the gauze mesh off the pickup tube. Going forwards the primary filter will be the first line of defense, not the pickup tube.
So, I imagine that every Ranger with a fuel tank in the bilge has a similar arrangement and could suffer the same demise. I hope this helps others diagnose and cure their fuel delivery issues.
Alan
The symptoms and engine codes pointed to fuel delivery issues and the mechanic started at the primary filter, which was new and should not have been suspect. It did however show significant discoloration of the internal element after it had been removed and cut open. So now the fuel pickup tube was pulled from the tank and what we found was shocking. Thick black crud blocked the entire gauze mesh that serves as a primary defense to fuel debris. Using a camera a photo of the tank inside showed more dirt at the bottom of the tank. What had happened here was a boat being used for flat water bay cruising over a period of 11 years, then a new owner (me) heading into rough waters on a 600 mile delivery that included an Atlantic passage in significant seas that stirred up fuel tank deposits. The resulting clog of the mesh at the bottom of the fuel pickup caused a low fuel pressure situation whose significant engine code for a Yanmar was P0088.
The solution was to suck out tank deposits using an oil change machine then remove the gauze mesh off the pickup tube. Going forwards the primary filter will be the first line of defense, not the pickup tube.
So, I imagine that every Ranger with a fuel tank in the bilge has a similar arrangement and could suffer the same demise. I hope this helps others diagnose and cure their fuel delivery issues.
Alan