Racor sediment bowl drains

[Dreamboat]

I just changed the fuel filters and although I could not see any water in the bottom of the bowls, I wanted for good measure drain off a little fuel and catch any sediment. I could not open the drains by hand. They are plastic with a barbed fitting to attach a drain hose. I was scared to force them and possibly break them because they were plastic. Is there a trick to get these open or should they just turn like a normal drain cock?

Thanks in advance.

[SEVEN]

Normal. Lube it up and let it work. I’ve broken one already.

[Cricket]

We carry an extra bowl with valve already installed plus a rebuild or gasket kit, just incase.

[Scarlett]

Light pressure with a plumbers wrench works just fine. Don’t press so hard that you crack the plastic. John

[brico]

I just changed the fuel filters and although I could not see any water in the bottom of the bowls, I wanted for good measure drain off a little fuel and catch any sediment. I could not open the drains by hand. They are plastic with a barbed fitting to attach a drain hose. I was scared to force them and possibly break them because they were plastic. Is there a trick to get these open or should they just turn like a normal drain cock?

Thanks in advance.

If memory serves me well, they need to be turned in clockwise direction in order for them to drain and anticlockwise to shut them off. By turning them clockwise you screw them in allowing for fuel to drain out and opposite, screwing them out will shut the drain.

I may be wrong.....

[jrmccoy]

If memory serves me well, they need to be turned in clockwise direction in order for them to drain and anticlockwise to shut them off. By turning them clockwise you screw them in allowing for fuel to drain out and opposite, screwing them out will shut the drain. I may be wrong.....

+1. I remember they are threaded such that screwing them out closes them.

[Scarlett]

Just did mine, you are both correct on turning direction. John

[MVCaprice]

Normal. Lube it up and let it work. I’ve broken one already.

Cheap to replace. I keep spares. Not high end!

[MVCaprice]

On the topic of Racors, One bowl cleaning truck that I have found works very well is to drain the bowl completely then pull the center drain and THEN pull the filter out. The filter chamber holds a lot of fuel and this is usually enough to flush almost all the sediment down without having to remove the bowl.