Water in Fuel

[kjoverbeck]

2015 R 27
I installed the trim tab side plates and was on a test run when the "water in fuel" alarm went off. I stopped, acknowledged it and continued back to the slip with no problems. That night I read on this forum that this can sometimes happen when there is no problem. The next day I returned to the boat, started it and let it run for about 10 minutes, rocking the boat side to side. No alarm. This boat had all filters changed before I bought it. I have put about 65 hours on it for a total of 435. It has always been under cover, never exposed to rain and all diesel bought at high volume fuel docks. I really don't believe there is any water problem. However if it happens again I will check the water separator as suggested. My main question is just how do I remove the connector on the bottom of the separator? It looks like there is a small clip but I can't see it without a mirror. Surely it can't be that difficult to do. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks, Kent

 

[Red Raven]

Either push or pull (I can’t remember which) the metal clip while pulling down on the connector. It comes off easily. If it doesn’t try the opposite.

Curt

 

[Wee Venture]

There is a wire bail on the sensor. Push it in and pull down on the sensor.

Curt

…that was posted by Curt in 2019 when he still remembered which way, haha. At that time I was wondering too and pushing in the wire bail and pulling the assembly down worked easily for me.

John

 

[Red Raven]

There is a wire bail on the sensor. Push it in and pull down on the sensor.

Curt

…that was posted by Curt in 2019 when he still remembered which way, haha. At that time I was wondering too and pushing in the wire bail and pulling the assembly down worked easily for me.

John

:lol:

 

[kelpline]

What engine do you have? If it is a Yanmar, the primary fuel filter has its water probe set too low on the casing; so that just a tea spoon of water can trigger the alarm, very annoying. I replaced mine with a Racor 500, whose cartridges cost $15 eqch.

 

[kjoverbeck]

It's a Volvo Penta D3 200.

 

[BB marine]

The water sensor will give false alarms from time to time. Additives can set it off. Even if you have not put an additive in the tank some marine fuel has it added at the storage tank. The best check is to drain the Primary Racor filter first. Drain the fuel and catch it in a container.Let it sit for about a minute and then look at the bottom of the container. Do you see water separated from the diesel fuel? Do you see a lot of water in the fuel that drained from the primary filter? If yes then the alarm is warranted because there is water in the tank and some has carried over to the secondary filter. If the answer is no or very little water is seen in the container. The alarm is a false alarm. It is either going off because of an additive or it is a faulty sensor. When I had my C26 with a D3 I always kept a spare sensor, sensor gasket, and filter on board.

 

[kjoverbeck]

Thanks everybody for the advice. If it happens again, the primary will be the first thing I'll check. Heck, I'll probably check it anyway.

 

[kjoverbeck]

Well, I got the connector off but then I couldn't get the separator to budge. It's plastic and instructions say remove carefully. Do you use large adjustable pliers for the Job? I guess I am being too cautious but I don't want to break it.
My primary filter is by Volvo, not Racor. No fuel cock but a plug in the bottom. I couldn't get it loose either. Need a bigger wrench :lol:

 

[S. Todd]

The water sensor should just unscrew. It should have been put on gently, but if yours is the original who knows. You can break them if you screw them on too tight but they should not break by unscrewing.

The plug in the bottom of the primary filter ( which I believe may be a Racor re-badged to be a Volvo) is often difficult to remove. A bigger wrench is the answer. I use a smaller wrench to put mine back in so it is not too tight when I need to remove it the next time.

 

[tlkenyon]

For ease of draining water, Racor makes a valve that can be installed on the bottom of the Racor filter housing. It comes with a plug that screws into the bottom of the valve to prevent inadvertent releases. To drain the water, turn off the fuel valve at the tank, loosen the top of the filter housing to break the vacuum, remove the plug, hold a jug under the valve (I use a cut-off 20oz pop bottle) and open the valve. Drain half a bottle of liquid, decant the fuel (floating on top of any water that is present) back into the fuel tank and dispose of the water. Disposal of the water can take many forms. I put some kitty litter in a pop bottle and pour the water into it and then put the bottle in the trash. That is compliant with USEPA solid waste regulations.

 

[dclagett]

Kent,

The water sensor should only be put on snug, tighter may destroy the washer between the filter and sensor. So it sounds like somone puts your sensor in tighter than snug. The same person put mine on. What I did was to wrap a rag around the sensor and gently use a small pair of channel locks to loosen the sensor. The sensor has right handed threads, so turn the sensor counter clockwise the remove. Depending on how much space you have for draining the filter, I found that using quart size zip lock bags, doubled up, works well for draining.

Good luck... Dick

 

[kjoverbeck]

Thanks again for everyone's help. I got the plug loose with a 1/2" ratchet and a 12" pipe extension. No water, not even a drop. So, I'm going to assume it was a false alarm and leave the separator alone for now. At least I have learned just what is needs to be done and how to do it. I now have all the needed tools on board for future use.
you guys are GREAT.
Kent

 

[kjoverbeck]

To follow up, I took the boat out today for about 40 minutes, 20 of which were at 3200 RPM. Pleased to report no water in fuel problems,