Water in Fuel alarm, fuel looks good, sensor bad?

[GaylesFaerie]

I went to start my 2012 Yanmar 4BY2 180 and after a minute at the dock got the Water in Fuel alarm. I removed the filter after disconnecting the sensor wire bundle. I poured all the fuel into a plastic quart container and didn't find any water or cloudiness or nothing except a collection of residue in the bottom of the filter bowl. The sensor prongs looked new but the sensor plug contacts showed some corrosion. They are quite small. Could the corrosion have caused the alarm to trip? I don't see any evidence of a short. Any thoughts? I'm thinking I need to replace the sensor and short length of wire bundle it is sealed to. Appreciate any advice. Gary

Fuel 1: https://share.icloud.com/photos/07fxcAeIGtxNX7Zo9NVeN6-7g
Fuel 2: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0539EyZIwKO7M1nvYP3lz2sCQ

Sensor: https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f9zDWiQj575Wig_7oNQf_xEg

Bowl residue: https://share.icloud.com/photos/010a1FHHZXB73ZcZlmvNYNvJw

Connector corrosion: https://share.icloud.com/photos/048RNpzfF8wPKbUXBkMDgrlBQ

 

[knotflying]

Not unusual to have a false alarm. Sometimes the fuel additives can cause it. Any chance you are using Valve=tec fuel? I found that was notorious for a false alarm

 

[GaylesFaerie]

I'll check on the fuel additive today at the marina. That said, after initially turning the engine off and starting it again, I still got the alarm. So assuming it is a false alarm, now that I've inspected the fuel and will replace the filter cartridge, how do you stop the false alarms? Or do you just motor around with the alarm ringing? I don't remember if the Yanmar gauge had a button to stop it once it started ringing. G

 

[GaylesFaerie]

Reassembled the fuel filter, cleaned the connection contacts as best I could with a dental pick and spray electronic cleaner, opened fuel valve at tank, bumped the key to the first position 5 times waiting for pump and alarm to stop between each time, and started the engine up. The alarm comes right back on. I let it run a bit and it just keeps ringing. No leaks that can see around the filter so that seems fine.

My marina uses Fuel Ox additive in their diesel and its the only fuel Dock I use.

Is there some kind of Reset I need to do through the Yanmar gauge?

I disconnected the wire harness connection and thankfully, the alarm stops. Short term solution until this is sorted out.

Gary

 

[knotflying]

In the past I have disconnected the water sensor and after a long run and a refill all was good.

 

[GaylesFaerie]

In the past I have disconnected the water sensor and after a long run and a refill all was good.

mmm, I'll try that for now. I still don't like seeing any green inside itty-bitty connections. In the meantime, I'll look into replacing the sensor/wire tail/connector and the mated section of wire as well which has connectors on both ends. Thanks, G

 

[GaylesFaerie]

I called Niemic Marine today and discovered that the water sensing probe and pigtail with the plastic connector (maybe 10 inches in total length costs $225. (plus tax). Wow. The part number is 120650-55070. Looked on the web for alternatives but turned up nothing so far. Has anyone replaced this part with an after-market or comparable replacement? If so, can you point me in that direction? This is what the part looks like from a sold eBay item:

http://yachtsboatslist.com/ybphotos/big/yanmar-120650-55070-probe-fuel-filter-1.jpg

And that's just the filter side of the connection. The female side is a much longer wire bundle and assuming its side of the connection is corroded too could make this fix real expensive.

TIA, Gary