I added a (primary) Racor filter on my 1982 H33 in 2002. I check the sediment bowl frequently but haven't seen anything in it yet. Since I use only 10 to 15 gallons per season the filter can't be getting much use. The rated flow rate is much larger than the 2GM would use, so again the filter can't be very "used". I add a little Bio-Bore to keep bugs out every time I add fuel & haven't had any problems. Since the Racor is a 2 microns and the yanmar (secondary) filter is a 10 micron I can't see how the Yanmar filter could ever get plugged. My question is how long can a filter last under ideal conditions? Why change it if it's not dirty? Anyone have a problem with a "clean" looking filter clogging up?
Fuel filter replacement interval
- Thread starter sailfree20770
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Probably 4-5 years.
If your fuel is clean, the filter will probably last forever. I think you are NOT using the correct filter in the Racor. I believe that they actually recommend a 10 or 20 micron unit. You may want to check on the www.yanmarhelp.com site to see if he has a recommendation. Just remember if you get a bad batch of fuel it can plug up in a matter of hours.
If your fuel is clean, the filter will probably last forever. I think you are NOT using the correct filter in the Racor. I believe that they actually recommend a 10 or 20 micron unit. You may want to check on the www.yanmarhelp.com site to see if he has a recommendation. Just remember if you get a bad batch of fuel it can plug up in a matter of hours.
they can last a long time but
Bad fuel problems are the number one problem with diesels. its cheap insurance to keep the filters extra clean!
Bad fuel problems are the number one problem with diesels. its cheap insurance to keep the filters extra clean!
Filters?
Racor makes a vacume guage to attach between the primary filter and the fuel pump. No need to change filter until gauge reads in the "red" Available at most West Marine stores for around $75. Fair winds dave
Racor makes a vacume guage to attach between the primary filter and the fuel pump. No need to change filter until gauge reads in the "red" Available at most West Marine stores for around $75. Fair winds dave
Fuel Filter Changes
Keep it simple, and change it once every six months or a year. The disaster waiting to happen is a clogged fuel filter, no engine when you need it. They look great from the outside when they're in the bowl, but they're doing their job inside, where you can't see. It's an easy swap out, just do it. Stu
Keep it simple, and change it once every six months or a year. The disaster waiting to happen is a clogged fuel filter, no engine when you need it. They look great from the outside when they're in the bowl, but they're doing their job inside, where you can't see. It's an easy swap out, just do it. Stu
Two Filters
The problem with metal bowel fuel filters is that they always stop up at the wrong time. I ended up on the harbour breakwater tires one time because that was when the filter plugged up. I then changed over to a filter with a clear bowel. Thought about that for a while and then plumbed the old filter back in with valves so I can switch filters on the fly. Now I know with a bad batch of fuel, I can change filters just as I enter the harbour. Hopefully that will keep me off the tires.
The problem with metal bowel fuel filters is that they always stop up at the wrong time. I ended up on the harbour breakwater tires one time because that was when the filter plugged up. I then changed over to a filter with a clear bowel. Thought about that for a while and then plumbed the old filter back in with valves so I can switch filters on the fly. Now I know with a bad batch of fuel, I can change filters just as I enter the harbour. Hopefully that will keep me off the tires.
When the tank goes bad.....
Stu: When you tank goes bad you can change your filter every week and it will not do any good. So changing a filter every 6 mos. is just a waste of money. There will NEVER be enough fuel going thru one of these filters in 6 mos to clog them up (unless you have a bad tank of fuel). If your fuel is contaminated the best method is to drain the entire tank, clean it out and replace the fuel lines and filter. I really do not understand anyone paying for fuel polishing on a 15-20 gal tank. This cost about $200-300 to clean $50 worth of fuel and you have NO guarantee that your problems will be resolved. This is not to dimish your idea of changing filters on a regular basis is a bad idea because it is not. It is just not necessary every 6 months when most sailors do not put 100 hrs a year on their engines. (100 hrs @ .75 - 1 gal/hr. = 75-100 gal of fuel). These filters are rated at 15-30 gal per hours. This equates to something like every 5 hours in a larger diesel. The powerboats only change their filters once every year or two.
Stu: When you tank goes bad you can change your filter every week and it will not do any good. So changing a filter every 6 mos. is just a waste of money. There will NEVER be enough fuel going thru one of these filters in 6 mos to clog them up (unless you have a bad tank of fuel). If your fuel is contaminated the best method is to drain the entire tank, clean it out and replace the fuel lines and filter. I really do not understand anyone paying for fuel polishing on a 15-20 gal tank. This cost about $200-300 to clean $50 worth of fuel and you have NO guarantee that your problems will be resolved. This is not to dimish your idea of changing filters on a regular basis is a bad idea because it is not. It is just not necessary every 6 months when most sailors do not put 100 hrs a year on their engines. (100 hrs @ .75 - 1 gal/hr. = 75-100 gal of fuel). These filters are rated at 15-30 gal per hours. This equates to something like every 5 hours in a larger diesel. The powerboats only change their filters once every year or two.
Which Filter First?
As Steve suggested, the Racor should be a higher micron number. I put a Racor on my YSM12 15 years ago and discovered that the 2 micron on the Racor and 10 micron on the engine mount was functionally backwards. Use the finer on the engine mount and the larger on the Racor. Otherwise the Racor may clog internally first and give you no visual warning of a problem. Having opined on size, the MOST IMPORTANT part of diesel fuel filters is to keep the fuel clean. Using Biobar is good, but don't OVERDOSE! Believe it or not, too much is as bad as none at all. In Florida and the islands, fuel can come contaminated from the pump. Look for water in the Racor bowl after EVERY filling away from home. George
As Steve suggested, the Racor should be a higher micron number. I put a Racor on my YSM12 15 years ago and discovered that the 2 micron on the Racor and 10 micron on the engine mount was functionally backwards. Use the finer on the engine mount and the larger on the Racor. Otherwise the Racor may clog internally first and give you no visual warning of a problem. Having opined on size, the MOST IMPORTANT part of diesel fuel filters is to keep the fuel clean. Using Biobar is good, but don't OVERDOSE! Believe it or not, too much is as bad as none at all. In Florida and the islands, fuel can come contaminated from the pump. Look for water in the Racor bowl after EVERY filling away from home. George
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