Primary fuel sedimenter - filter or not?

[SoSound]

I'm working through my first end of season. I have two fuel filters in the line for a Volvo 2000-series on a 1990 Beneteau. With the boat's supplies and spares, I found two fuel filters, one - obviously - is a direct replacement for unit located on the front of the motor. The second spare does not fit the primary filter housing at all, in fact - once removed for cleaning and inspection, there is no filter element at all, just a bottom bowl and a top 'sedimenter element'.

I did a little research and found a document from Caterpillar which implies that it is not completely unheard of to have a filterless filter. Does this ring a bell at all with anyone?

And now that I've removed and disassembled the unit, any ideas where I might find replacement o-rings for a part that doesn't appear on any motor documentation that I can find?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[sailaway78]

Filterless filter

I have seen one or two of those in my lifetime. Basically they swirl fuel going into them, and seperate it out by centrifigal force. I would highly recommend just doing away with the whole thing, and replace it with a good Racor, or a Wix. They you can get elements anywhere, change them easily and have a real filter.

 

[SoSound]

Usually a reasonable aproach...

...I was thinking of doing just that. Why not just do it instead of posting the question? Well, I was hoping that someone could give me an 'easy' out, by knowing either that it would be OK as is, or what filter it used (I really doubt that o-rings should be that difficult to find).

Given the age of the vessel, it's within the realm of probability that once I start replacing one component of a system, I'll need to replace everything - in this case probably all the fuel lines from the tank to the engine. I was really hoping it wouldn't be necessary to do that my first season. BTW, what material is recommended for fuel line from the fuel tank to the initial filter, rigid metal tubing or flexible hose of some sort?

Dave