yanmar 4jh4-hte fuelfilter water alarm

[Matte_lule]

hi

i have the C-type panel. When im out with my boat after a smooth ride sometime i hear the alarm go off and the idicator on the panel light up. Then nothing happens for a few minutes then it goes of again, then its quiet for maybe 10-15 minuters then it goes off again. (time and duration of sound is not static)

If i had water in the dieseltank would it not be alarming always? The pre filter and the fuelfilter is changed and i have only used the boat for maybe 2-3 hours since that.

Sorry if my english is bad but swedish is my main language

With best regards

Matte_Lule

 

[rotrax]

I have the same engine.

Mine has a drain valve on the bottom of the engine mounted filter. Drain some off and see what comes out. You will know for sure if you have water in the filter, or if not, an electrical glitch.

I have done this check with mine, just after purchase, and found heavily contaminated fuel-water and diesel bug. I had to dispose of 700 litres of fuel-and pay a heavy enviromental charge for the privilege!

If you find no water in the fuel filter, perhaps the connector block can be disconnected at the filter bowl-at least the alarm wont keep going off!

Good luck.

 

[knuterikt]

The alarm is triggered by water in fuel filter. The fuel pickup from tank is normally located a little bit above bottom of tank, giving room for some water.
When the content of the tank is agitated by movement the fuel pipe might draw some water ending up in your fuel filter.
As above drain filter using drain plug
I would also take off the inspection lid on the tank to check for water. On my boat I can see the bottom of the tank using a flashlight when it's half filled.
You can suck some from bottom of tank and check for water and contamination.

 

[dom]

+1 to pipetting some fuel from as low down in the main tank as possible. In addition to draining excess water through the secondary-filter drain, I'd also examine the primary filter (which may have glass bowl) for signs of water.

If it's not a water the problem, then there may be either a duff electrical connection or a faulty component.

A word of warning though; I'd be doubtful about disconnecting the unit, especially if you do not have a water alarm on the primary. Continued operation with excess water in the secondary filter can cause damage to the engine, and/or fuel injection pump due to restricted flow.

 

[rotrax]

+1 to pipetting some fuel from as low down in the main tank as possible. In addition to draining excess water through the secondary-filter drain, I'd also examine the primary filter (which may have glass bowl) for signs of water.

If it's not a water the problem, then there may be either a duff electrical connection or a faulty component.

A word of warning though; I'd be doubtful about disconnecting the unit, especially if you do not have a water alarm on the primary. Continued operation with excess water in the secondary filter can cause damage to the engine, and/or fuel injection pump due to restricted flow.

My advice was only to disconnect the sensor if no water was found in the filter bowl. I cant see what is wrong with that advice.

If water IS found, removing it-and then removing it from the tank, if indeed there is water in the tank, would be the next step.

IIRC, the filter switch will cut the feed to the stop solenoid if water is there in enough quantity to operate the alarm continuously, so stopping the engine before damage can occur. That is for my installation-cant speak for other install's.

In that case, if water was found in the engine filter, disconnecting the switch would be bad news.

If, however, it proves to be an electrical glitch, nothing is worse than a random alarm sounding, so disconecting the switch will stop the false alarm untill a fix can be made.

 

[dom]

My advice was only to disconnect the sensor if no water was found in the filter bowl. I cant see what is wrong with that advice.

If water IS found, removing it-and then removing it from the tank, if indeed there is water in the tank, would be the next step.

IIRC, the filter switch will cut the feed to the stop solenoid if water is there in enough quantity to operate the alarm continuously, so stopping the engine before damage can occur. That is for my installation-cant speak for other install's.

In that case, if water was found in the engine filter, disconnecting the switch would be bad news.

If, however, it proves to be an electrical glitch, nothing is worse than a random alarm sounding, so disconecting the switch will stop the false alarm untill a fix can be made.

Don't disagree with any of that. The repeated activation of the alarm with no stop solenoid activation does sound a little odd.

Time for a good look

 

[Sandhurst]

My advice was only to disconnect the sensor if no water was found in the filter bowl. I cant see what is wrong with that advice.

If water IS found, removing it-and then removing it from the tank, if indeed there is water in the tank, would be the next step.

IIRC, the filter switch will cut the feed to the stop solenoid if water is there in enough quantity to operate the alarm continuously, so stopping the engine before damage can occur. That is for my installation-cant speak for other install's.

In that case, if water was found in the engine filter, disconnecting the switch would be bad news.

If, however, it proves to be an electrical glitch, nothing is worse than a random alarm sounding, so disconecting the switch will stop the false alarm untill a fix can be made.

Hi I’m new to the boating world but have a problem with the alarm continuously going on starting. The marine engineer replaced the sensor but it is still faulty. He advises it is just a glitch and I should just disconnect the two wires. I’ve done this and the alarm still continues. I’m now wondering if I have tried the correct two wires as what I think is the fuel pump doesn’t appear to have any means of draining. Any help or photo of wires would be so helpful.