Albemarle 280 EXPRESS FISHERMAN, Owner'S Manual

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280 Series Express Fisherman
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3.6 Fuel System Maintenance
Periodically inspect all connections, clamps and hoses for leak-
age and damage or deterioration. Replace as necessary. Spray
the valves, tank fuel gauge sender and ground connections with
a metal protector.
Frequently inspect and lubricate the fuel fill cap O-ring seal
with petroleum jelly or silicone grease. The O-ring seal pre-
vents water from entering the fuel system through the fuel fill
cap and it should be replaced immediately if there is any sign
of damage or deterioration.
Contaminated fuel may cause serious damage to your engines.
The filters must be checked for water and other contamination
frequently. Gasoline engine filters must be changed at least
once each year and diesel engine filter elements must be
changed at least twice a year or more frequently depending on
the type of engine and the quality of the fuel. Please refer to
the engine or fuel filter manufacturer’s instructions for infor-
mation on servicing and replacing the fuel filter elements.
Algae can grow in the accumulated water in diesel fuel tanks.
This condition is most prevalent in warm climates. Periodi-
cally adding a high quality diesel fuel additive containing an
algaecide may be required to control algae in your boating
area. Since algae also can grow in accumulated water in the
fuel filters, it is important to run the main engines and the gen-
erator for at least 30 minutes after the algaecide has been added
so it will be circulated throughout the fuel system. This is
even more important during periods of storage or if the boat is
not used enough to require refueling at least once a month.
Severe algae in a diesel fuel system can be extremely difficult
and expensive to clean. You should be delegant in monitoring
the fuel system by checking the filters for water frequently
and being alert for signs of algae in fuel that is drained from
the filters. Most algae appears as black, carpet like, fibers
suspended in fuel and water drained from the filters. Severe
cases of algae will produce a black jelly like substance that
quickly clogs the filters and starves the engines for fuel.
Please contact your Albemarle dealer or engine manufacturer
for additional information regarding fuels and additives.
Note: Diesel engines circulate far more fuel than they
consume. Therefore, it is extremely important that
the fuel filters are checked for water and serviced
frequently on boats equipped with diesel engines.
The age of gasoline can affect engine performance. Chemical
changes occur as the gasoline ages that can cause deposits and
varnish in the fuel system as well as reduce the octane rating
of the fuel. Severely degraded fuel can damage the engine
and boat fuel tank and lines. Therefore, if your boat is not
being run enough to require at least one full tank of fresh fuel
a month, a fuel stabilizer should be added to the gasoline to
protect the fuel from degradation. Your dealer or the engine
manufacturer can provide additional information on fuel deg-
radation and fuel stabilizers recommended for your engine.
Avoid using fuels with alcohol additives. Gasoline that is an
alcohol blend will absorb moisture from the air which can reach
such concentrations that "phase separation" can occur whereby
the water and alcohol mixture becomes heavy enough to settle
out of the gasoline to the bottom of the tank. Since the fuel
pick up tube is very near the bottom of the tank, phase separa-
tion can cause the engine to run very poorly or not at all. This
condition is more severe with methyl alcohol and will worsen
as the alcohol content increases. Water or a jelly like sub-
stance in the fuel filters is an indication of phase separation
from the use of alcohol blended fuels.
DO NOT DRAIN ANY FUEL INTO THE BILGE. THIS
COULD LEAD TO A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
AFTER THE FILTER ELEMENT HAS BEEN
CHANGED, PRIME THE FUEL SYSTEM AND
CHECK ALL FITTINGS FOR LEAKS BEFORE AND
AFTER STARTING THE ENGINES.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINES, ALWAYS
OPEN ALL HATCHES, WINDOWS, AND DOORS
AND RUN THE BLOWER FOR AT LEAST FOUR (4)
MINUTES TO COMPLETELY VENTILATE THE BOAT
AFTER SERVICING THE FUEL SYSTEM.