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4L: Fuel System
4L1: Fuel System Concept
The Diesel fuel aboard Morveren is carried in two tanks of 300 gallons each. This gives
the boat great cruising range. There are valves for emergencies at the base of each of the
tanks, but no valve changes are required; a “balancing” fuel line interconnects the two tanks.
You should understand that Diesel engines pump an excessive amount of fuel from the
tank, use the excess to cool the injection pump equipment on the engine, then return the
unused excess to the tank! Typically, an engine might pump 40 gallons/hour, but use only three
or four: The 36 or 37 gallons "makes the circuit" through the pump and back to the tank.
4L2: Filling the Fuel Tanks
With the large fuel tanks, you can fuel the boat at a moderate rate using
a standard hose and nozzle (like those on auto gas pumps).
Fill both the tanks completely but do not spill fuel.
4L3: Fuel Fill Pipe Locations
There are fuel fills above the walk-around deck on each side if the salon.
Taking the hose around the cockpit to reach the fill caps on the sides on each
side of the salon.
4L4: Fuel Filters
Diesel engines require absolutely clean fuel to
operate continuously. As a result, there are two kinds of
fuel filters on the boat. Primary filters are mounted in the
forward engine room and consist of two filters controlled by
a valve allowing one to be selected at a time. That way, if
one is clogged, you can switch to the other.
The secondary filter is on the engine itself. It is very
fine and is the final protection to be sure the engine’s fuel is
absolutely clean.
If the engine stops, it is likely a filter is clogged.
Follow through carefully, and remember you will have to
prime the engine to re-start it. See the engine manual for
this procedure.
4L5: Fuel Measurement
There is a very accurate Computank system at the
lower helm, and there is also a dip stick on the forward end
of the port fuel tank.
Starboard fuel fill.
One of the fuel filter pairs.
Section 4L: Fuel System 4.31