We check the fuel separator each day before departing although usually weekly is advised.
This morning, instead of clear oil, it looked like someone put a can of spinach in it.
With rough seas yesterday, it kicked up algae that can grow in the bottom of the fuel tank in water that collects from condensation. (At the end of the day we still had 5/8ths of a tank of fuel. We were not running on a low tank.)
We had to remove the fuel filter, replace it since it was all gummed up and clean out the clear separator bowl. The algae was quite chunky and had to be broken up. The cleaned bowl photo is also attached. It all took a couple of hours.
Hate to think what would have happened had we set off today on a long journey today without checking this.
As is, with rough seas anticipated tomorrow, we stayed put and will enjoy the island of Astypalaia tomorrow as well. We also topped the fuel tank to reduce further problems, although we need to get another back-up fuel filter.
Another learning experience.
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