Raycor Fuel Filters

[Hattatude]

After the second change of my Racor Fuel Filters, I noticed on one set that the fuel filter was only soiled on the bottom 2/3's of the filter. This has been consistant with two separate filter changes and the other side is black all the way to the top. Just wondering if anyone has any ideas why this is happening on one side and not the other. It is on 1271 engines where there is a dual Raycor set up per engine. Thanks for the help.

 

[Paul45c]

Have you run the boat a lot? Does it have DDs? When I first got my boat (before I had the chance to get the fuel polished), it seemed the Racors were solidly dirty right to the top. After getting it all cleaned out and then running it plenty with lots of filter changes, I now only have about the bottom half or so showing any dirt. Not sure why, but there it is.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Those are supposed to be coalescing filters. Do you drain the water off daily? It sounds like youre pulling excess water up into the filter. That black stuff is
algae feces. Thats from the DIESEL KLEEN rep. ws

 

[Brian Degulis]

When you say soiled do you mean no sediment or does it look like fuel never touched it?

 

[DCMY #92]

The next time you change the element open the top before you drain the fuel from the bowl to see if the filter is full to the top. I have seen them run fine with several inches of air in the top half of the canister.

 

[Fanfare]

Are you adding new clean diesel to top up the filter cannister after you change the filter? The used filter element sogs up a fair amount of fuel from the cannister, and the new filter will sog up more at first as it gets saturated, leaving the level low. This air can remain in the cannister and the upper portion of the filter element will never get used, wasting a lot of filter area.

I start by unscrewing the top of the cannister which releases the vacuum inside. Then I drain the water and dirt from the bottom. Next remove the used filter. This stirs up dirt, so I go to the other engine's filter while the dirt settles. Drain more if it looks still dirty. Return to first engine, insert new filter cartridge, top off with clean diesel, replace o-rings at the top of the filter and the small one around the handle (lubricate both with a finger of clean diesel beforehand), screw down top, and start engine. Watch vacuum gauge climb. Run with some throttle (about 1,000 rpm) for a minute, stop. Open the top again to check the fuel level in the filter by looking down the outside. Add more diesel to cannister if it's low.

 

[Angela]

Jim, that was a very informative post you just made, at least for me. I didn't know the procedure other than swapping out the filters and lubricating/replacing the o rings. I can see I still have so much to learn! Thanks.

 

[MikeP]

Fuel priming pumps really make this process much easier. You don't have to fool with pouring fuel anywhere - change the filter, turn some gate valves, hit the switch and let the primer pumps do the job. THey are also a Godsend if you are out and have to change a filter or otherwise open a fuel line for any reason.

One experience for me when I was out in rough weather and lost an engine due to air in the lines was enough for me. I had pulled a fuel line to check something before we weighed anchor. I thought I had gotten the air out - the engine started fine and off we went but in about 5 minutes she quit. Trying to hand prime with the boat rocking and rolling and ending up getting fuel all over everything was an experience I vowed I wouldn't repeat. I installed priming pumps within days. They are wonderful AND in addition to making fuel filter changes and any other fuel system maintanance much easier, they can polish your fuel when you are not there if you wish to set them up with a timer.

 

[Angela]

Fuel priming pumps....got 'em! Had no idea I could polish the fuel with them though.

 

[MikeP]

Sure, as long as you have the fuel returns from the engine plumbed (additional valves) to be able allow the pumps to return fuel to the tanks instead of simply pressurizing the engine fuel pump, they can polish the fuel exactly the same way that a fuel polisher does.

In this case you are using the same fuel filter system as the regular fuel system so you may need to change filters more frequently. You could also plumb in a separate filter for that purpose - a Gulf Coast F1 would be perfect.

The Fleetguard filter system is, in my opinion, a better choice for all this than the Racor.