fuel filter(s)?

[new323owner]

I am the new owner (well, reasonably new--about a year) of a 2004 Beneteau 323 that is powered by a Yanmar 2GM20F engine. I have a simple (for some of you it may even sound like a dumb) question--does this engine (on this particular boat) have both primary and secondary fuel filters (I don't know which is which--is the one nearest the fuel pump the primary or is it the secondary?).

Upon inspection, I can see what I think is the primary filter mounted on the left side of the front of the engine and I have purchased a replacemtent filter for it. On the right side of the engine compartment there is another part that looks like it might be a secondary fuel filter--it seems to have a fuel line attached to it; its bottom is clear like the typical Raycor fuel filter; and the liquid inside appears to be diesel fuel (I know, if it looks like a duck, etc.). I cannot read the entire label, but the number A38546 is stamped on the label. Is this a/the (secondary) fuel filter? If so, does it also have a cartridge that needs to be replaced occasionally? If yes, is there a part number and/or a source for it? Thanks!

 

[Kings Gambit]

The "primary" is the "first" one that the fuel passes through coming from the fuel tank; the "secondary" would be the "second" one. Normally, the primary has 30 or 10 micron filtration; the secondary 2 micron filtration. The latter is the one on the engine. Yes, you have to periodically change out the filter cartridge on the primary.

 

[new323owner]

reply to Kings Gambit

The "primary" is the "first" one that the fuel passes through coming from the fuel tank; the "secondary" would be the "second" one. Normally, the primary has 30 micron filtration; the secondary 2 micron filtration. The latter is the one on the engine. Yes, you have to periodically change out the filter cartridge on the primary.

Thanks. From your answer, I infer that what I think is the engine's second fuel filter (that you have informed me is the "primary" filter) fits the description that I provided. I was going to purchase a second fuel filter because I thought that the boat only had one filter. Any idea of a source for the filter?

 

[Kings Gambit]

When I bought my German-made boat, that primary had a very strange-looking cartridge on it that turned out to be a UK product. I took the number to a diesel engine parts shop (retailer) and they cross-referenced it to a FRAM filter cartridge. That's my best advice; although, there are many Beneteau owners w/ Yanmars on this site that might be of more help there.

 

[new323owner]

When I bought my German-made boat, that primary had a very strange-looking cartridge on it that turned out to be a UK product. I took the number to a diesel engine parts shop (retailer) and they cross-referenced it to a FRAM filter cartridge. That's my best advice; although, there are many Beneteau owners w/ Yanmars on this site that might be of more help there.

thanks. you have been very helpful. As far as I can tell, my boat was made in the US, but that doesn't mean necessarily mean that fuel filter is US.

 

[dziedzicmj]

You might find also that replacing this primary filter with something that you like, are familiar with and can source easily is the best option.

As an example, I just switched from the Racor 220 to a Racor SNAPP and I would recommend it to anyone (filter replacement is a snap).

 

[Gunni]

The filter in your engine compartment is the Primary, the one on your engine is the secondary. The one on your engine is sourced from Yanmar. The one in your engine compartment will be a third-party filter. You will need to ID the manufacturer, and model number to get the right filter element. The Racor SNAPP filter is not marine rated for use in an enclosed engine compartment - you need to use a metal body filter assembly, with a heat-deflector on any exposed plastic/glass bowl.

 

[DougM]

The filter in your engine compartment is the Primary, the one on your engine is the secondary. The one on your engine is sourced from Yanmar. The one in your engine compartment will be a third-party filter. You will need to ID the manufacturer, and model number to get the right filter element. The Racor SNAPP filter is not marine rated for use in an enclosed engine compartment - you need to use a metal body filter assembly, with a heat-deflector on any exposed plastic/glass bowl.

Gunni , you have it backward. The RACOR becomes the primary filter because it's the first filter the fuel passes through, the cartridge on the front of the engine becomes the secondary filter.

When I changed the secondary filter, I could not locate one nearby in a Yanmar box. I ended up at a local Auto Zone store and they were able to cross reference the Yanmar part to a WIX part they had on the shelf. when I pulled the old filter and compared it to the new one, the manufacturing crimps were in exactly the same locations and identifying marks were the same. The filter I pulled out was the original from the time of manufacture.

 

[Gunni]

Gunni , you have it backward. The RACOR becomes the primary filter because it's the first filter the fuel passes through, the cartridge on the front of the engine becomes the secondary filter.

When I changed the secondary filter, I could not locate one nearby in a Yanmar box. I ended up at a local Auto Zone store and they were able to cross reference the Yanmar part to a WIX part they had on the shelf. when I pulled the old filter and compared it to the new one, the manufacturing crimps were in exactly the same locations and identifying marks were the same. The filter I pulled out was the original from the time of manufacture.

The filter in your engine compartment is the Primary, the one on your engine is the secondary.

Doug, that is what said, and I said it to make the point that on a Beneteau the primary is in the engine compartment where it needs to be a flame-resistant filter.

I have seen FAR too many fuel problems require the need for multiple filter changes to keep an engine running. I keep 5 filters on board at all times, sealed w/desiccant. Torresen Marine used to have a great on-line store.

 

[RichH]

Actually primary - secondary have NO importance in 'filter speak' by those who engineer this stuff ... primary/secondary are TOTALLY MEANINGLESS with actual filter performance.

µM retention and specified filter 'surface area' in accordance to the engine manufacturers specification is THE important factor ..... AND the engine manufacturer only applies a 'guard' filter on their equipment to prevent the consequences of failure ..... of all upstream 'filters'. That 'small' engine mounted 'guard filter' is there only to quickly 'choke' and shut down oil flow if the influent particle size becomes GREATER than about 20µM. 20µM has been defined and universally accepted as 'the most damaging particle size for diesel engines' ... and thats HARD particles as most particle in diesel fuel are 'soft and deformable' particles, and such soft particle 'grow' (agglomerate - small particles 'sticking together' and getting bigger and bigger'). Yanmar is in the 20µM 'camp' and installs the engine 'guard' filter based on what the filter market can supply and aT what cost.
The 'Racors', etc. installed are by the boat builder.

As atated, its not the designation but the µM retention. Here's the 'typical':

Tank ---> 30µM (PREFILTER, optional**) ---> 10µM (FINAL) ---> 15-19µM (Engine 'guard' or 'last chance' filter) ---> engine.
** the 30µM is applied to 'extend the service life of the 'final' due to historic (engine and tank specific) contamination and particle overload beyond 'normal'.

All these filter 'µM ratings' are nominal ratings ... an approximation that does NOT imply 100% retention of the 'rating' size. Typically a nominally rated filter for fuel oil service will be in the range of only upwards of 95% removal efficiency at 'the rating' ... meaning that you can pass an occasional basketball and the filter still meets 'spec' ..... hence the reason for the 'guard' and the larger size (internal surface area) and the smaller retention rating of the so-called FINAL filter .... the work-horse filter. With 'nominal' rating the filter manufacture decides what efficiency of retention should be .... very arbitrary!!!! but most of the 'high end' producers for fuel oil filters are in the range of 95% to 97% efficient at that 'rating'.

Engine manufacturers DO NOT make 'filters', they buy filters from various reputable filter manufacturers who 'private label' for them ... so too, the various auto/engine supply outlets.


SPECIFICS For the 2GM20F, etc.
For the OP of this thread just 'follow' the fuel line from the tank to the engine's lift pump to see which one is the 'guard' and which one is the 'final'.
For 99.5% chance of correctly identifying that engine manufacturer's applied GUARD FILTER - Go to Wixfilters.com --> filterlookup ---> VEHICLE LOOK-UP ---> off highway ---> YANMAR ---> marine-engine ---> 2GM20F ----> ......

..... (Guard Filter) fuel = Wix part number 33262
Height: 2.717
Outer Diameter: 1.378
Inside Diameter Top: Closed:
Inside Diameter Bottom: 0.492
Nominal Micron Rating: 19µM

.... Engine lube oil filter = Wix part number 51358
Style: Spin-On Lube Filter
Service: Lube
Type: Full Flow
Media: Paper
Height: 2.782
Outer Diameter Top: 2.685
Outer Diameter Bottom: Closed:
Thread Size: 20X1.5 MM
By-Pass Valve Setting-PSI: 8
Anti-Drain Back Valve: Yes
Beta Ratio: 2/20=6/20
Burst Pressure-PSI: 265
Max Flow Rate: 8-10 GPM
Nominal Micron Rating: 21µM

NOW, take these part numbers to your favorite auto-supply (one which caters to 'mechanics') and special order the filters from whichever filter manufacturer this supply house 'favors' ... usually 2-3 days for delivery to that 'shop'. There are very FEW manufacturers of such 'automotive' filtration ... a top of the line is "Wix", who 'private labels' for NAPA, and a lot of domestic auto manufacturers, etc. etc. etc.


2µM ?????? unless your engine manufacture so specifies 2µM (final) DO NOT DO THIS !!!!!!
A 2µM will have 1/5 of the 'flow capacity' of a 10µM, 1/10 the 'flow capacity' of 20µM and will 'choke' and blind off approximately 10 to 20 times FASTER than the normal 10µM !!!! Also, in order for that 2µM to deliver that normal oil flow to your engine the 'differential pressure' (∆P) across that filter will be 5 to 10 times MORE ... putting that vastly increased LOAD onto the diaphragm of your lift pump which will result in premature lift pump FAILURE. Even worse, that 2µM will begin to 'coalesce' smaller than 2µM (soft) particles which can readily reform at the downstream side of the filter and instantly 'grow' in size much larger than that 20µM limit .... AND these agglomerated 'gels' dont burn well in the combustion chamber and will settle out as thick COKE deposits in your exhaust system and especially at the 'water injection elbow'.
ONLY use a 2µM IF AND ONLY IF the engine manufacturer SPECIFIES a 2µM.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Actually primary - secondary have NO importance in 'filter speak' by those who engineer this stuff ... primary/secondary are TOTALLY MEANINGLESS with actual filter performance.

Of course, "primary" and "secondary" are meaningless terms if filters are sitting on a shelf, or if one is attached to an engine sitting on the show room floor. In this discussion, however, the terms refer to respective positions relative to fuel flow from the tank. If there are two in use then the first one passed is by definition primary [Merriam-Webster: first in order of time or development]; it's obviously going to have greater sieve size than the second one passed--the secondary, or what's the point of two? I don't know the sieve size of the filter attached to my Yanmar 3JH3-E since I typically buy the Yanmar version by its part number; it could be 10 micron. The upstream one, however, is 30 micron.

If there is only one in use--the one attached to the engine-then call it Guard, Tackle, Center, or whatever you want. My Yanmar parts guy calls it the sediment fuel filter(?).