Is a fuel-water separator essential?

[scottie]

Surely diesel doesn't compress either?

Richard

Goes bang!

 

[ridgy]

If you go to: http://www.abcpm.co.uk/downloads/engines/vetus/M202.pdf the lower left diagram has a filter which says VETUS on it with a funnel shaped bit at the bottom with what could be a drain - must unlike a "standard" CAV filter. If only they had taken a picture of the other side of the engine we could see it!

Yes thats the fuel filter and the funnel thing at the bottom is a water trap. However depending on the installation you might struggle to even get a hand to it and if it is tight you won't get a tool on it either.

However that is the least of your problems.

On that diagram, if you go down and right a bit there is another circle. That is the oil filter and to the right of that is the seawater impellor which is facing backwards can you believe. If access is restricted you must get a speed seal on here as undoing the 6 screws is very difficult, never mind getting them back on. On a hot engine at sea, you might as well just call the lifeboat. Even with a speed seal I dread ever having to do it in an emergency.

An engine clearly designed for a tractor not a boat.

 

[ianj99]

Surely diesel doesn't compress either?

Richard

Water doesn't ignite either - more's the pity!

 

[Tranona]

If this boat carries a VP Saildrive it's because Volvo Penta thinks it's not required in this situation. Don't you believe it though.

My Bavaria has a Volvo saildrive, with a Volvo water strainer - similar to a Vetus.