Last time out wind was a little brisk, so bounced around on some waves. Have had boat less than a year. Fuel tank is full. Hoses look to be in good shape. Boat is '87, so has some age, but motor rebuilt prior to my purchase. I've read there is a bulkhead fuel filter on this boat. Found it - 'Groco' on top (pic attached). Thought filter may have been getting clogged due to bouncng on waves and stirring up tank. Took top off 'Groco' and all that is in there is fuel and a 1" diameter spring. Fuel trickles out with top removed. Should there be a filter element in this 'filter'?
Bulkhead fuel filter O'Day 272 with Westerbaeke ten-2 diesel
- Thread starter cbourne200
- Start date
- Status
Yes they are supposed to have a filter element however they are getting hard to find at chandleries and they are EXPENSIVE!!! About $36.00 at Defender for just the element... IIRC the filter element would be a GF-376 or something close to that. These are 2-5 micron elements and tend to plug up QUICKLY which can get costly... These are proprietary filters for the Groco filter housings.
I would recommend replacing that filter assembly with a small Racor 120 series... You can get a better filter and one that has a water separator bowl. If you really want a nice filter bump it up to the Racor 500 series...
The Racor 120AS complete filter assembly is only $77.00 or about the cost of two Groco filter elements.. When you need to replace the element cartridge on the Racor I would suggest going to the 10 micron version vs. the 2 micron that it comes with.
Racor 120AS
Re: Bulkhead fuel filter O'Day 272 with Westerbaeke ten-2 di
Thanks Maine Sail. Looking at the 'Fuel System' diagram for the 10-2, it appears thre are 2 additional filters on the motor itself. Know anything about these? Since motor was rebuilt/painted, I figured the 'Groco' would be easier to get to and replace - but nothing there to replace! The PO left 2 each of what appears to be the filters on the engine, but I haven't taken them off to test.
Thanks Maine Sail. Looking at the 'Fuel System' diagram for the 10-2, it appears thre are 2 additional filters on the motor itself. Know anything about these? Since motor was rebuilt/painted, I figured the 'Groco' would be easier to get to and replace - but nothing there to replace! The PO left 2 each of what appears to be the filters on the engine, but I haven't taken them off to test.
filters
There are two filters on the side of the engine. One is in the fuel pump itself. The other is in line further forward. I took the fuel pump completely off to change that filter. It is hard to reach and I had to use a pipe wrench to get the cap off. After changing all three filters, had a hard time starting. It is hard to get O ring to seat properly on the Graco filter, kept sucking air in. Make sure those bolts are tight. Also installed fuel shutoff at groco and removed from top of tank. I found a cheap filter element online some where.God luck.
There are two filters on the side of the engine. One is in the fuel pump itself. The other is in line further forward. I took the fuel pump completely off to change that filter. It is hard to reach and I had to use a pipe wrench to get the cap off. After changing all three filters, had a hard time starting. It is hard to get O ring to seat properly on the Graco filter, kept sucking air in. Make sure those bolts are tight. Also installed fuel shutoff at groco and removed from top of tank. I found a cheap filter element online some where.God luck.
Re: filters
Also be aware of fuel shut off on top of tank. It is almost completely inaccessable. Lying on quarter berth , your head to the stern, you have to reach up between cockpit and transom to feel petcock on top of tank connected to fuel line. If engine instrument panel is mounted on aft wall of cockpit, shut off is behind it to the port side!
Also be aware of fuel shut off on top of tank. It is almost completely inaccessable. Lying on quarter berth , your head to the stern, you have to reach up between cockpit and transom to feel petcock on top of tank connected to fuel line. If engine instrument panel is mounted on aft wall of cockpit, shut off is behind it to the port side!
A lot of good information....I feel very guilty reading these posts as I have
never touched the bronze groco filter in the starboard lazarette...At one time we had 5 272 LE's at our club and everyone that changed the little filter had trouble getting their engines to run again in a dependable fashion...so I just have not changed it or touched it since we bought the boat in 1986....I did speak with the great guys at the Westerbeke parts & service place in Seabrook, Tx. (Houston) and they told me to always change the oil and the engine would be great...so I've changed the oil once or twice a year for the past 26 years and never once has the little engine that could failed to start the first time. I'm ashamed to say all that...I know Lady Luck is not with me long term. I amnot advocating putting off changing it, just have not done so myself...Only only buy diesel fuel from a very trusted source too. PC
Re: Bulkhead fuel filter O'Day 272 with Westerbaeke ten-2 di
Thanks Testbeds - good info. I was considering removing the wooden bulkhead at aft portion of quarter birth, but decided against it. I was looking for a shutoff valve, but never found one I thought it would have been on the fuel line - but never saw fuel line coming out of tank. Guess I'll get courageous and remove panel to be able to see tank completely. And if I have trouble starting/running engine, will go back and recheck bolts of Groco. Thanks
Thanks Testbeds - good info. I was considering removing the wooden bulkhead at aft portion of quarter birth, but decided against it. I was looking for a shutoff valve, but never found one I thought it would have been on the fuel line - but never saw fuel line coming out of tank. Guess I'll get courageous and remove panel to be able to see tank completely. And if I have trouble starting/running engine, will go back and recheck bolts of Groco. Thanks
- Status