Racor checkball removal ?

[llldks]

Running in rough water I experienced engine shutdown due to sludge obstructing the checkball on my Racor 900 filter. I had the tanks cleaned (at least that’s what I thought I payed for) only to have it happen again. Both times I was able to get home by changing the filter element but the vacuum pressures were still much higher than normal. I found sludge obstructing the checkball seat.
After reading the posts here about the fun of tank sludge removal, I read on Boatdeisel about removing the checkball from the racor filter as long as you have a fuel shutoff to prevent losing prime. I’m thinking between the tank manifold and my electric priming pump I’m covered there.

Any thoughts on this- has anyone done this?

[Captain Ralph]

Running in rough water I experienced engine shutdown due to sludge obstructing the checkball on my Racor 900 filter. I had the tanks cleaned (at least that’s what I thought I payed for) only to have it happen again. Both times I was able to get home by changing the filter element but the vacuum pressures were still much higher than normal. I found sludge obstructing the checkball seat.
After reading the posts here about the fun of tank sludge removal, I read on Boatdeisel about removing the checkball from the racor filter as long as you have a fuel shutoff to prevent losing prime. I’m thinking between the tank manifold and my electric priming pump I’m covered there.

Any thoughts on this- has anyone done this?

Star gear fuel pumps, when primed and working correctly will suck a golf ball thru a garden hose. Once that Racor ball is moving and the engine is running, that ball is not causing any high vacuum restrictions.
Get a new ball seal/gasket (Ball kit) and reassemble correctly "this side towards ball".
KISS

I have found lots of tank poop will collect in that plastic fuel spinner also (plastic part in your hand when you remove the ball).

I would guess your tank tube pick-up (screen if equipped) may have some poop or debris on it after tank service. Two ways to prove this; a vacuum gauge before the Racor or just pull the pick-up tube.

Keep a bucket and lots of 30 on hand. About every 2nd or 3rd Racor, change out the secondary filter.

If your tank was properly cleaned, these tank poo issues should clear after a while. If not, installing a separate fuel polishing pump could help.

[zigzag930]

Not sure I'd agree that the ball won't cause any restrictions.

When we purchased our 58LRC, it hadn't been run in a pretty long time. I suspected we'd have fuel issues when we got underway, so bought a case of Racors to have on board.

We have twin Racors for each engine, but run only one at a time so I can quickly switch over if there is any issue with high vacuum, etc.

For the 1st two days, we ran down the ditch from VA towards FL. No issues with clogs or vacuum increase. So, thinking things might be better than expected - day 3 we went offshore. It took about 2.5 hours of sloshing around in the ocean before both engines shut down. I wasn't able to switch over the filters in time so the engines starved for fuel and quit.

I tore down the Racors and both had what looked like seaweed in clogging the balls and turbines. Had to completely disassemble them, clean them thoroughly and re-assemble. Of course the engines wouldn't start and required bleeding. Fortunately, a DD tech showed me how to do that before we left.

We kept a close eye on the filters from that point on and switched Racors as soon as any signs of seaweed appeared in the bowl. Had to repeat this process about 5 more times, while adding BioBor JR. Finally 2 tanks later (1200 gal ea time) I believe we are problem free.

So from my experience it is very possible for those check balls to get clogged up. I have not replaced my check balls, but it is important to note the correct side up when re-assembling. I originally thought they went in one way only to learn I had them backwards. Luckily, this didn't appear to create any issue, but I have since learned to be sure the are in the right way.

PS - I did not have the tanks cleaned originally as I was told that tank cleaning wouldn't be completely effective and the DD's pump so much fuel through the filters that the fuel would eventually polish itself.

[MadHatter53]

Seaweed in your fuel ??

[zigzag930]

I called it "seaweed", but green organic slime is a better description.

[Captain Ralph]

Here are some pictures on my pick up screen, March 2013.
Yes, I have been here.

[llldks]

That is what I find impacted into the checkball seat on the Racor. I have to dismantle the bowl to clear it. Was wondering if by removing the checkball , after “X” number of filters changes enough sludge would be removed to replace the checkball.

[Captain Ralph]

This is the result of water and lots of diesel clean. Not from bio poo.
This will not go away till your water intrusion is fixed.

My Racor check ball passed it, that plastic fuel spinner under the ball clogged up but not so bad to stop fuel flow.
The Racor bowl would half fill with this goo and the filter was covered.

The fuels red dye started to look slightly different.

[Captain Ralph]

At first, I did not know I had a water issue, suspected a bad fuel purchase.

My after tank was cleaned also. I saw his sock filter fill and then clear up.
My Racors were full of this slime 2 weeks later.

Then I made my own portable fuel polisher.
Looking for better in / out locations for my new gizmos hoses, I pulled the pick up and found that stuff pictured 3 post back.

Pumped out lots of junk and was able to reach the far bottom end of the tank, that's where I found pure water.

[llldks]

My impression of the schematic is that suction moves the checkball down allowing fuel flow into lower glass chamber/centrifuge. Without suction, the ball floats up into seal preventing retroflow back to tank. Not sure about the ball not floating in diesel. It appears the checkball is only on the inflow side of the filter.