Albemarle 290 EXPRESS FISHERMAN, Owner'S Manual

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33
290 XF
3.6 Fuel System Maintenance
Periodically inspect all connections, clamps and hoses for
leakage 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 Teflon or silicone grease. The O‑ring seal prevents 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. The filter elements must be changed at least twice
a season 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 information on servicing
and replacing the fuel filter elements.
Diesel Fuel
Algae can grow in the accumulated water in diesel fuel tanks.
This condition is most prevalent in warm climates. Periodically
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
generator 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 diligent 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.
Gasoline
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 degradation 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 separation 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 substance in the fuel filters are an indication of phase
separation from the use of alcohol blended fuels.
Please contact your Albemarle dealer or engine manufacturer
for additional information regarding fuels and additives.
Avoid serious injury or death from fire or explosion resulting
from leaking fuel, inspect system for leaks at least once a
year. DO NOT DRAIN ANY FUEL INTO THE BILGE.
AFTER THE FILTER ELEMENT HAS bEEN CHANGED,
PRIME THE FUEL SYSTEM AND CHECK ALL
FITTINGS FOR LEAKS bEFORE AND AFTER
STARTING THE ENGINE.
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.