Shutting off diesel flow

[kalinowski]

The last act in my removal of the Westerbeast 58 is disconnecting the fuel line. All else is disconnected.

I’ve been saving this for last as I don’t want to open the fuel line and have a diesel fountain going on. Having never done this before, what’s the best way to disconnect the line with minimal spillage? If I disconnect at the Racor separator will just a limited amount come out, or am I looking at a river caused by siphoning?
Thanks
Dan Kalinowski
Jolly Lama #135
Keehi Lagoon, O’ahu

[RichCarter]

Dan

There is a valve on my fuel line before the Racor.  Doesn’t your boat have one?

 

If not, you’ll have to put diapers down to absorb what you spill.

 

Rich

 

[kalinowski]

Thanks Rich.  That valve is frozen in the open position (of course).   If I open the fuel line without closing that valve, any idea how much fuel will spill out?  Do you know if it will be just the fuel in the line from the tank, or is there a siphon effect that will keep it coming?

Thanks.

Dan

[Ken Page]

Hi Dan,
If the shutoff valve is frozen you really should deal with that, it’s pretty darn important. I’d recommend you disconnect the fuel line at the tank top then you can deal with any fuel left in the lines without fear of siphoning. You might want to try a small pair of vise grips on the body part of that valve handle along with an adjustable wrench on the finger part together slowly working it back and forth, after you disconnect the line at the tank of course just in case it fails to loosen and has to be replaced with a new one.

Ken

Taking what comes as I get it, using it all as much as I can and trying hard to leave all the shit behind.

[Tor]

Dan,

 

I’m the group’s non-mechanic, but this seems straightforward. Put a pail underneath the hose’s connection at the Racor and just take it off – unless you still have 10 gallons of diesel in the tank. Then siphoning might be a problem IF you hold the end of the hose below the level of the fuel in the tank. As long as you hold it above that level siphoning will not occur. Liquids seek their own level. But I thought we addressed removing that residual fuel in the tank, so you’re only dealing with maybe a quart remaining in the hose. Take it off and hold it down into the bucket until it stops leaking, and keep a rag handy to wipe off your hands and the end of the hose.

 

Or is there something more here that I’m missing, as usual?

 

Tor

———————-

Silverheels, P-424 #17

http://www.silverheels.us

——————

 

 

 

[RichCarter]

Dan

You should be able to force the valve open. 

 

The fuel will siphon until you plug the line or until the liquid level gets lower than the fuel line.  If you’ve already drained your tank to your best ability, don’t worry about it.  You’ll just lose what’s in the fuel line and the top of the filter housing, a couple of cups of fuel.

 

Rich

 

[kalinowski]

Thanks for the info all!  I used a product called freeze off, which is a form of penetrant that lowers the temp of the frozen part and breaks the rust binding.  It came free with minimal coaxing.

My concern was having a fuel fountain if I broke the shutoff fitting.  Now I don’t have to climb in the lazerette to fool with the tank fitting.

I can now disconnect the fuel line from the engine and she’s ready to pull out for Tuesday’s haul out.  Then it’s bye bye forever for the Westerbeast. 

Once out, I can start pulling off parts for all those that were interested.

Dan Kalinowski

Jolly Lama #135

Keehi Lagoon, O’ahu

[guy11976]

Underneath the racor filter is a shut off valve.

Guy

 

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