VP D2-55 fuel bleed screw stripped?

[MagicalArmchair]

Just finishing oil and filters on Mirage and noted this. I vaguely recollect being alarmed by this when I first serviced her after buying her last year and then forgot, snugged it up as best I could and just sailed her back.

Fuel does not seep out, however I’m guessing this is neither normal nor good. Any suggestions?

Apologies for all the many questions - first year with the boat back in the Medway so lots still to learn!

 

[PaulRainbow]

That's just waiting to let you down, i'd see if i could pick up a new filter head.

 

[pvb]

The VP parts diagram shows a 2-component bleed screw, so what you have may not be original. The filter head is shown as no longer being available. If you replace it, the later version has a primer bulb built in and is much easier to use - indeed if you just keep pumping the primer, the air goes through the system and into the fuel tank through the return line, so no need to touch the bleed screw.

 

[RichardS]

That's just waiting to let you down, i'd see if i could pick up a new filter head.

I agree. It's too important to just leave it. There are threaded inserts you could use which would be leak proof but if you can pick up a new casting then I would do so.

Richard

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Super, thank you all. I ran the engine and it ran fine, but as you say, it is just waiting to let me down. Time to get a price!

I think it's one of these I'll need:

Volvo Penta Exploded view / schematic Fuel Filter and Feed Pump D2-55, D2-55B, D2-55C, D2-55D, D2-55E - MarinePartsEurope.com

 

[pvb]

Super, thank you all. I ran the engine and it ran fine, but as you say, it is just waiting to let me down. Time to get a price!

I think it's one of these I'll need:

You don't necessarily have to pay the VP price for a filter head. There are alternatives, which may need a modified mount, eg Primer Top Bosch Type | Primers | Primers AndTops | Diesel

 

[MagicalArmchair]

You don't necessarily have to pay the VP price for a filter head. There are alternatives, which may need a modified mount, eg Primer Top Bosch Type | Primers | Primers AndTops | Diesel

Quite probably made in the same factory, just with 100% mark up rather than what VP put on it

 

[pvb]

Quite probably made in the same factory, just with 100% mark up rather than what VP put on it

Note that the mounting is different...

SSL Diesel are a good value supplier.

 

[Concerto]

Mark

Would it be possible to get a heli coil insert fitted? That is what I would look at first.

 

[penberth3]

Mark

Would it be possible to get a heli coil insert fitted? That is what I would look at first.

If you can get a filter head for £16 it's hardly worth the bother.

 

[Concerto]

If you can get a filter head for £16 it's hardly worth the bother.

What, only £16.00 from VP. Then I agree.

Still remember another owner with 4 large containers of VP oil for his twin engine mobo. He said back in the early 1990's it cost a small fortune to keep the new engines under warranty, even though he changed the oil himself.

 

[penberth3]

What, only £16.00 from VP. Then I agree.

Still remember another owner with 4 large containers of VP oil for his twin engine mobo. He said back in the early 1990's it cost a small fortune to keep the new engines under warranty, even though he changed the oil himself.

No, it wasn't VP but it was another reputable name , a few posts up. I guess a helicoil set would be approaching that sort of money, and it's a bit of a faff if you're doing one for the first time!

 

[Laysula]

Super, thank you all. I ran the engine and it ran fine, but as you say, it is just waiting to let me down. Time to get a price!

I think it's one of these I'll need:

Volvo Penta Exploded view / schematic Fuel Filter and Feed Pump D2-55, D2-55B, D2-55C, D2-55D, D2-55E - MarinePartsEurope.com

Wow. Some impressive marine tax in those prices.

 

[ithet]

I had similar on a VP2003. Let me down mid channel. The tighter I tried to get the screw the worse it got as a little loose it let fuel out, tighter and no fuel came out but air got in. The helpful engineer at St Peter Port fitted a helicoil for cost of an hours labour.

 

[MagicalArmchair]

I had similar on a VP2003. Let me down mid channel. The tighter I tried to get the screw the worse it got as a little loose it let fuel out, tighter and no fuel came out but air got in. The helpful engineer at St Peter Port fitted a helicoil for cost of an hours labour.

That's interesting the engineer fitted the helicopter in situ? Wouldn't he have needed to tap the hole, making swarf? Or with the filter off, I guess you could wash it through with diesel?

 

[dunedin]

If you replace it, the later version has a primer bulb built in and is much easier to use - indeed if you just keep pumping the primer, the air goes through the system and into the fuel tank through the return line, so no need to touch the bleed screw.

So having the one with the built in primer bulb, do I not need to open the bleed screw? I have always thought I needed to crack the screw open a fraction. Am I doing it wrong?

 

[RivalRedwing]

That's interesting the engineer fitted the helicopter in situ? Wouldn't he have needed to tap the hole, making swarf? Or with the filter off, I guess you could wash it through with diesel?

Love predictive text ?

 

[PaulRainbow]

So having the one with the built in primer bulb, do I not need to open the bleed screw? I have always thought I needed to crack the screw open a fraction. Am I doing it wrong?

Not so much wrong as unnecessary. Many fuel systems will allow the fuel to be hand pump from the tank, through the system and back though the return pipe, in which case there is no need to open the bleed screw.

 

[dunedin]

Not so much wrong as unnecessary. Many fuel systems will allow the fuel to be hand pump from the tank, through the system and back though the return pipe, in which case there is no need to open the bleed screw.

thanks

 

[ithet]

That's interesting the engineer fitted the helicopter in situ? Wouldn't he have needed to tap the hole, making swarf? Or with the filter off, I guess you could wash it through with diesel?

Yes, he whipped the filter holder off and took it into the workshop.