Need a good, affordable fuel polishing service near San Pedro, ASAP! And/or a good fabricator who can cut an inspection port into my aluminum tank, and fabricate a cover for it.
I've never had a problem with clogged filters or fuel lines. But yesterday, I cleaned the RACOR 500 and replaced the element. There was some sludge at the bottom of the bowl. I also changed the filter on the motor.
After running for half an hour today, the RACOR filter was not only clogged, but so was the fuel line running to it! The motor died in the Main Channel of Los Angeles Harbor, in a stiff breeze, under the Vincent Thomas Bridge. We were doing maintenance, and were not even near set up for sailing, so we were dead in the water. We nearly blew into a container ship which would have dismasted us because of the overhanging stuff on it's deck, and then nearly onto the rocks. A passing fisherman towed us and by the time we were under weigh, we were only two boat widths from the rocks, and had only 15-20 seconds to spare. We got back to the slip with no problems because of good timing and good samaritans.
But why did the filters suddenly get so clogged? We ran to and from Catalina last week, and the old filter was pretty clean, but for some sludge in the bottom of the bowl. The new filter is clogged with what looks like black oatmeal!
I've never had a problem with clogged filters or fuel lines. But yesterday, I cleaned the RACOR 500 and replaced the element. There was some sludge at the bottom of the bowl. I also changed the filter on the motor.
After running for half an hour today, the RACOR filter was not only clogged, but so was the fuel line running to it! The motor died in the Main Channel of Los Angeles Harbor, in a stiff breeze, under the Vincent Thomas Bridge. We were doing maintenance, and were not even near set up for sailing, so we were dead in the water. We nearly blew into a container ship which would have dismasted us because of the overhanging stuff on it's deck, and then nearly onto the rocks. A passing fisherman towed us and by the time we were under weigh, we were only two boat widths from the rocks, and had only 15-20 seconds to spare. We got back to the slip with no problems because of good timing and good samaritans.
But why did the filters suddenly get so clogged? We ran to and from Catalina last week, and the old filter was pretty clean, but for some sludge in the bottom of the bowl. The new filter is clogged with what looks like black oatmeal!