Fuel System - Fuel/Water Separator, Fuel Lift Pump, Fuel Filter; Fuel Filter Replacement - Beta Marine Beta 10 Operator's Maintenance Manual

Fuel System
Important
• Always fit a fuel / water separator in the fuel supply
system. Water in the fuel can seriously damage the
injection system and a replacement fuel injection pump
is expensive.
• If a fuel supply shutoff valve is fitted do not use a taper
tap, only use a ball valve tap. The ball valve type are
more reliable and less likely to let air into the fuel system.
• Be sure to use a strainer when filling the fuel tank. Dirt
or sand in the fuel may cause trouble in the fuel injection
pump.
• Always use diesel fuel. Do not use paraffin / kerosene,
which is very low in cetane rating, and adversely affects
the engine.
• Low sulphur diesel fuel - regulations changed recently
reducing the sulphur content by 99%, in many countries.
The European standard is EN590:2009, and in the USA
ASTM D975-09. The engine is designed to run on low
sulphur fuel, and this is now preferred.
• Most diesel fuels now contain up to a maximum limit
of 7% Biodiesel and this does not affect the engine
warranty.

Fuel Filter Replacement

1. The fuel filter is a spin on type. Remove by turning anti-
clockwise when viewed from below.
2. Replace the fuel filter cartridge every 750 hours or every
2 years. See photo 27.
3. Apply fuel oil thinly over the gasket and tighten into
position - hand tight.
4. Bleed as detailed - see 'initial start up'.
5. Check for leaks.
6. Do not get fuel on the flexible mounts, this will degrade
the rubber.
The recent changes to fuel specifications allow the
addition of FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) biodiesel
EN14214:2009, to diesel fuel, but please be aware that
biodiesel does allow bacteria to grow more easily in the
fuel and this can clog your fuel tank, pipes and filters. If
you experience an outbreak of bacterial growth you can
either empty and clean out your fuel pipes and tank, or
use biocide additives and filtering.
• We know that some customers are using 100% Biodiesel
fuel, if you use a higher percentage of Bio-diesel fuel you
must fit an electric lift pump into the fuel supply line, and
the fuel filter and oil filter must both be changed together
when the oil filter is normally replaced. Important: Beta
Marine warranty will not cover fuel equipment when
more than 7% Biodiesel is used.
• Be careful not to let the fuel tank become empty, or air
can enter the fuel system, necessitating bleeding before
next engine start.
• The fuel lift pump will only lift fuel through 0.25m. If this
is insufficient then an electric fuel lift pump must be
fitted. Drawing 202-06421, illustrating recommended
wiring for this pump is included in the back of the
manual.
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