ARCTIC STAR OPERATING MANUAL
NW Explorations | 27
6.1.3
Oil drips
Under each main engine is an oil pan that is lined with oil absorption pads. Visually check these
for significant oil drips. There will be small drips here and there, monitor these. If an oil drip
becomes significant such as a 2 or 3-inch diameter spot, try to locate the source and then call
the service shop.
6.1.4
Fuel filters
The primary fuel filters are to the starboard and port side of the generator. These filters collect
sediment and separate any water that may be in the fuel. Place a flashlight to the side of the
bowl at the bottom of the fuel filter housing and you should see clean amber diesel fuel with a
little sediment. The diesel fuel may have a red die added to it so, variation of color is OK. If you
see a clear colorless fluid, it is water - Call the Service shop right away. If there seems to be
excessive sediment and the amber diesel fuel is cloudy, keep this in mind, you may need to
switch to the backup fuel filter if the engines are not pulling enough fuel.
These Racor brand fuel filters are set up in pairs; one of
the filters is active with fuel flowing through the filter to
the engine. The second filter is the backup filter and
ready to be used when the first filter is clogged.
Between the two filter units is a valve with a handle that
has a point at one end. This points toward the filter
being used. If the RPM of one of the engines begins
decrease, you will need to switch to the backup fuel
filter.
To switch fuel filters
:
1.
Slow the engines down to idle and shift the
engines out of gear,
2.
Have a crewmember take watch as you enter the
engine room,
3.
Turn the valve handle at the front of the Racor
filter so that it points toward the backup filter.
4.
Check the fuel filter of the other engine, if there is excessive sediment, switch that filter
as well.
5.
Let the engine idle for a minute before increasing the
throttle to cruising speed
Between the two filters is a vacuum gage that indicates the
pressure (vacuum) of fuel being pulled through the filter. If
the needle is in the red zone, it is time to switch to the backup
fuel filter.
The valve handle has a pointed end that
points to the filter that is active. To
switch, turn the valve to point to the
backup filter.
