No matter what manual I read, the directions to remove and replace the fuel filter on a Universal M-18 two cylinder diesel is never fully explained. The M-18 has a bleeder screw on top of the filter housing. My question is.....is removing and replacing the fuel filter as simples as loosening the bleeder screw, catch the fuel, twist off the filter, replace the filter, leave the bleeder screw open, turn on the engine, turn off the bleeder screw when pressure rebuilds, and thats it? Help if I am missing a step or the procedure from what I think is correct is way off base! Thanks for the help Bob 30 Catalina
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A few more steps
I don't have an M-18 but there are a few additional steps you may need to consider for most diesels. I'm sure that M-18 owners will chime in here. First, if your fuel tank is higher than the engine and filter, you will have to turn off the fuel flow at the tank. There is usually a valve on the fuel line at the tank. Second, unless you have a self bleeding fuel system, you will have to bleed the air out of the empty filter and associated fuel lines before you start the engine. If possible, fill the filter vessel with clean fuel before re-installing it. Open the fuel valve at the tank and then open the bleer screw on the filter and pump fuel through untill all of the air bubbles out. On the M-18 there may be a manual pump lever on the pump itself, an electric pump or some other way to get the fuel flowing. Air in the lines is a real pain to deal with and may require bleeding at the injectors. Good Luck!
I don't have an M-18 but there are a few additional steps you may need to consider for most diesels. I'm sure that M-18 owners will chime in here. First, if your fuel tank is higher than the engine and filter, you will have to turn off the fuel flow at the tank. There is usually a valve on the fuel line at the tank. Second, unless you have a self bleeding fuel system, you will have to bleed the air out of the empty filter and associated fuel lines before you start the engine. If possible, fill the filter vessel with clean fuel before re-installing it. Open the fuel valve at the tank and then open the bleer screw on the filter and pump fuel through untill all of the air bubbles out. On the M-18 there may be a manual pump lever on the pump itself, an electric pump or some other way to get the fuel flowing. Air in the lines is a real pain to deal with and may require bleeding at the injectors. Good Luck!
injection pump has bleeder screw also
The attached link has some info that might help. Do you also have a separate off the engine filter/water separator such as a Racor or Groco?
The attached link has some info that might help. Do you also have a separate off the engine filter/water separator such as a Racor or Groco?
Racor In-Line O/W Separator
I have the in-line Racor filter with the glass "see thru" bowl and screw drain on the bottom. Appreciate the responses. I know its not rocket science, but I do not want to mess this one up! On top of the filter housing is a bleeder screw (twist type) rather the a small pump. The shut off at the tank is an excellent idea as I leave my tank fullas often as possible. I will assume I turn the engine on to get the fuel pressure built up without ignition after changing out the filter. Do I disconnect the glow plug? Or what means do I have on a diesel to crank and avoid ignition? Thanks Bob
I have the in-line Racor filter with the glass "see thru" bowl and screw drain on the bottom. Appreciate the responses. I know its not rocket science, but I do not want to mess this one up! On top of the filter housing is a bleeder screw (twist type) rather the a small pump. The shut off at the tank is an excellent idea as I leave my tank fullas often as possible. I will assume I turn the engine on to get the fuel pressure built up without ignition after changing out the filter. Do I disconnect the glow plug? Or what means do I have on a diesel to crank and avoid ignition? Thanks Bob
decompression lever
To crank and avoid ignition open the decompression lever. If you do that be careful not to back up your muffler with too much raw water. On my setup the racor is after the electric pump so I just turn the key on to activate the pump and it fills the whole system and I bleed it along the way. Racor first then the on engine filter then the injector pump. If you don't have an electric pump see step 4 in the previous attachment. Good luck. Happy to answer any more questions.
To crank and avoid ignition open the decompression lever. If you do that be careful not to back up your muffler with too much raw water. On my setup the racor is after the electric pump so I just turn the key on to activate the pump and it fills the whole system and I bleed it along the way. Racor first then the on engine filter then the injector pump. If you don't have an electric pump see step 4 in the previous attachment. Good luck. Happy to answer any more questions.
M18 Fuel Filter Change
Hello, My boat (1986 newport 28) has an M18 engine with electric fuel pump. To change the fuel filter I did exactly what you suggested - turn off fuel line, (I have a small valve near the fuel tank) open bleed valve, (nothing came out) spin off filter, install new filter, turn on fuel line, turn engine key to 'on' (this turns on the fuel pump), wait until fuel came out of bleed valve, close bleed valve, start engine. That is was it, took less than 10 minutes. Good luck, Barry
Hello, My boat (1986 newport 28) has an M18 engine with electric fuel pump. To change the fuel filter I did exactly what you suggested - turn off fuel line, (I have a small valve near the fuel tank) open bleed valve, (nothing came out) spin off filter, install new filter, turn on fuel line, turn engine key to 'on' (this turns on the fuel pump), wait until fuel came out of bleed valve, close bleed valve, start engine. That is was it, took less than 10 minutes. Good luck, Barry
Thanks Barry
Thanks Barry. Looks like the process is well defined now. I forgot that turning on the ignition key will run the pump without activating the starter. Appreciate the help. Bob Catalina 30
Thanks Barry. Looks like the process is well defined now. I forgot that turning on the ignition key will run the pump without activating the starter. Appreciate the help. Bob Catalina 30
Electric fuel pump
I have the Facet electric fuel lift pump on my M18,it has a small filter in it that is easy to check for gobbers. The pump is mounted up side down so the filter is on the top, which makes it easy to check. I have made a few mistakes in the past when changing out the spin on filter at the engine.I didn't fill it with diesel,just put the new one on and started the engine,yep it started. another time i turned the fuel line off to check the facet pump filter and started the engine, it ran until it used all the fuel in the engine filter. It seems this little Facet pump has covered most of my mistakes with this engine,just turn the key and hear the pump work hit the glow plug for 25 seconds and the engine starts right up. I've been doing this for the last 4 1/2 years. I've seen these pumps on ebay for $15- $45, a new one is $200 +
I have the Facet electric fuel lift pump on my M18,it has a small filter in it that is easy to check for gobbers. The pump is mounted up side down so the filter is on the top, which makes it easy to check. I have made a few mistakes in the past when changing out the spin on filter at the engine.I didn't fill it with diesel,just put the new one on and started the engine,yep it started. another time i turned the fuel line off to check the facet pump filter and started the engine, it ran until it used all the fuel in the engine filter. It seems this little Facet pump has covered most of my mistakes with this engine,just turn the key and hear the pump work hit the glow plug for 25 seconds and the engine starts right up. I've been doing this for the last 4 1/2 years. I've seen these pumps on ebay for $15- $45, a new one is $200 +
Universal Fuel Filter
I have the Universal 16HP, Model 20 on my O'Day 30. Most of the messages you have received have covered most of the proceedures needed to change the filter. The only items not covered is that I usually find that air has made its way from the engine fuel filter to the injector pump and has to be bleed. I run the electric fuel pump and open the white painted bleed fitting at the top of the injector pump and hold it open until all of the air is bled. If you don't get all of the air out you will find that the engine may lose power or stop as you leave the dock and bring up the RPM. I have found that putting the transmission into forward and running up the RPM to 2000-2500, tied up to the dock for a minute or two will ensure that if there is air in the system you will lose power at the dock instead of being in the channel.
I have the Universal 16HP, Model 20 on my O'Day 30. Most of the messages you have received have covered most of the proceedures needed to change the filter. The only items not covered is that I usually find that air has made its way from the engine fuel filter to the injector pump and has to be bleed. I run the electric fuel pump and open the white painted bleed fitting at the top of the injector pump and hold it open until all of the air is bled. If you don't get all of the air out you will find that the engine may lose power or stop as you leave the dock and bring up the RPM. I have found that putting the transmission into forward and running up the RPM to 2000-2500, tied up to the dock for a minute or two will ensure that if there is air in the system you will lose power at the dock instead of being in the channel.
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