Monterey Boats 350 Sport Yacht, Owner'S Manual

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350 SPORT YACHT
40
GASOLINE FUEL VAPORS THAT ACCUMULATE
IN THE CABIN OR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE
FUELING CAN EXPLODE!! TO REDUCE THE RISK
OF A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION AFTER FILLING
THE FUEL SYSTEM, ALWAYS RUN THE BLOWER
FOR AT LEAST FOUR (4) MINUTES AND OPEN
ALL HATCHES, WINDOWS, AND DOORS TO
COMPLETELY VENTILATE THE BOAT BEFORE
STARTING THE ENGINES.
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 petroleum jelly 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. Gaso-
line 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 fre-
quently depending on the type of engine and the
quality of the fuel. Please refer to the engine or
fuel filter manufacturer’s instructions for informa-
tion on servicing and replacing the fuel filter ele-
ments.
Algae can grow in the accumulated water in die-
sel 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 ex-
tremely 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.
Please contact your Monterey 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 fil-
ters are checked for water and serviced
frequently on boats equipped with die-
sel engines.
The age of gasoline can affect engine perfor-
mance. 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. There-
fore, if your boat is not being run enough to re-
quire 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 stabiliz-
ers 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 is an
indication of phase separation from the use of
alcohol blended fuels.