I have a Racor 230 series fuel filter with a new R20P element. I have no documentation and am wondering if the water filtered from the fuel ends up in the clear plastic container under the filter? If so, am I supposed to drain it? If I drain it, will I have to bleed the fuel system afterwards? Also, if I should drain it, do I do when the motor is running or stopped? Thanks for any advice, Marc
Racor fuel filter maintenance
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water filter
Marc The link below will provide a schematic and parts list of your filter. Under normal conditions, all you need do to drain water from the bowl (anytime it is apparent) is open the drain indicated as #10 on that diagram. Simultaneously opening the vent plug at the top is necessary only when filling the bowl so you need not open that as gravity flow from you tank should allow new fuel to enter the filter as water is drained from the bottom. It should be done with the motor off as running the fuel pump when doing this could entrain air in the system.
Marc The link below will provide a schematic and parts list of your filter. Under normal conditions, all you need do to drain water from the bowl (anytime it is apparent) is open the drain indicated as #10 on that diagram. Simultaneously opening the vent plug at the top is necessary only when filling the bowl so you need not open that as gravity flow from you tank should allow new fuel to enter the filter as water is drained from the bottom. It should be done with the motor off as running the fuel pump when doing this could entrain air in the system.
Thanks once again!
This group is the greatest. One day I hope to have enough knowledge and experience to start giving back! Marc
This group is the greatest. One day I hope to have enough knowledge and experience to start giving back! Marc
As far as regular maintenance, besides
draining the water, keep a spare filter handy. I replace the primary fuel filter every 6 months and judjing by its condition I may replace the Racor filter or not. In any case I will replace it once a year. Last time I did not even had to bleed the fuel system; just dropped in the new filter, fastened the top and it started right away. It sputtered a little bit as it passed some gas but kept on running.
draining the water, keep a spare filter handy. I replace the primary fuel filter every 6 months and judjing by its condition I may replace the Racor filter or not. In any case I will replace it once a year. Last time I did not even had to bleed the fuel system; just dropped in the new filter, fastened the top and it started right away. It sputtered a little bit as it passed some gas but kept on running.
Not to confuse the issue
but this bears correcting - Benny said "I replace the primary fuel filter every 6 months and judjing by its condition I may replace the Racor filter or not". Conventional wisdom is that the Racor water separator/filter IS the primary filter. I presume Benny knows but the way it was stated, the uninitiated might be confused.
but this bears correcting - Benny said "I replace the primary fuel filter every 6 months and judjing by its condition I may replace the Racor filter or not". Conventional wisdom is that the Racor water separator/filter IS the primary filter. I presume Benny knows but the way it was stated, the uninitiated might be confused.
I use Wix
I use Wix filters, which are quite a bit larger than the Racors, and a whole bunch cheaper. On mine, when I change, there is an air gap at the top. The old filter is saturated and quite a bit of fuel comes out with it, so a little air in the top. I just pour in enough fuel to fill it brim full. Keeps me from having to bleed the stupid thing. If you get a little bit of an air space on top when you change, just pour in enough diesel to fill it up, and will usually eliminate the bleeding step.
I use Wix filters, which are quite a bit larger than the Racors, and a whole bunch cheaper. On mine, when I change, there is an air gap at the top. The old filter is saturated and quite a bit of fuel comes out with it, so a little air in the top. I just pour in enough fuel to fill it brim full. Keeps me from having to bleed the stupid thing. If you get a little bit of an air space on top when you change, just pour in enough diesel to fill it up, and will usually eliminate the bleeding step.
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