The knurled white plastic knob on top of the racor has a slow leak. I finally slowed and almost stopped it by seriously cranking her tight with pliars. Is there something else i should replace? O ring or seal? This is the first boat i have had with racor. Thanks.
Racor leak...
- Thread starter SailFysh
- Start date
The knurled knob is the priming pump plunger that pops up when unscrewed, I think I remember an O-ring in there, there are gasket sets or filter kits for the Racors which include all the gaskets and O-rings for a particular model or series. Here's one for example:
http://shop.catalinaowners.com/prod.php?10107/200-GK+-+Gasket+Kit
http://shop.catalinaowners.com/prod.php?10107/200-GK+-+Gasket+Kit
Thanks Ted. I assumed there must be something to seal it. Putting pliars on a plastic knob is not the way to go for sure.
There is no O-ring to seal primer pump knob to the housing. And - by the way - no pliers necessary to seal this item just hand tight will do.
See https://www.parker.com/literature/Racor/12935_Rev_A_200_Series_Seal_Service_Kit_Instructions.pdf.
Note that there is only the knob/pump stem and the plunger/plunger support backer. The plastic knurled knob should be air tight without any secondary seal. If it leaks then it was over tightened thus wrecking the plastic threads. A new pump shaft/knurled plastic knob is available.
Charles
ps this filter goes on the suction side of the lift pump
See https://www.parker.com/literature/Racor/12935_Rev_A_200_Series_Seal_Service_Kit_Instructions.pdf.
Note that there is only the knob/pump stem and the plunger/plunger support backer. The plastic knurled knob should be air tight without any secondary seal. If it leaks then it was over tightened thus wrecking the plastic threads. A new pump shaft/knurled plastic knob is available.
Charles
ps this filter goes on the suction side of the lift pump
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Thanks charles i will look closer. I have had the boat for 2 years. It never leaked fuel until one day i noticed fuel in bilge. Traced it to the racor knob.
Had the same problem. Ended up replacing the entire assembly. These repair kits are not cheap and you never know if after you install the new kit, the leak would stop. Having the pump in that filter is a great convenience, but I don't have that great diesel smell in the cabin any more. Cleaning diesel from the bilge gets old very quickly.
You can limit the amount that leaks by closing the fuel valve on the tank after each use.
Marek
You can limit the amount that leaks by closing the fuel valve on the tank after each use.
Marek
Yes Marek. Diesel in the bilge is easy to grow weary of. I have been turning off at the tank but that too is tiresome for a fat boy like me to crawl back there each time. You say you replaced the entire assembly? Did you go to one without a plunger pump? Thanks for the info. Neal
I got tired of the leaks and the expensive replacement filters. I switched to Racor's SNAPP filter. Very easy to install and change (it has quick connects on both ends).
@dziedzicmj - I did a quick search, and it looks like replacement filters for that setup are between 36 and 48 dollars, depending on the source. I have a pretty small Racor for my 20 HP diesel, and my filters are about $13 each. Is the ease of change worth the price difference, or were your filters larger and therefore more expensive than mine?
Thanks Marek. I like the look of the snapp. Seems a lot easier to service and no leaky plunger to deal with.
@SFS - prices are waay different up North here. My replacement elements for Racor 250 were around $60-$70 (CAD) and the SNAPP filters (I cannot order a replacement unless in 12 packs), are around $50. I had to replace the filter (the 250 leaked badly), so I went for the ease of maintenance. I had to work with the limited supply that was available.
If you are cost conscious, the best way is to use one of the filters with a replacement filter element (cartridge) that is just the paper element that resides in the glass or metal housing. Any spin-on or disposable filter would be more expensive.
If you are cost conscious, the best way is to use one of the filters with a replacement filter element (cartridge) that is just the paper element that resides in the glass or metal housing. Any spin-on or disposable filter would be more expensive.
Forgot about the exhange rate and import fees. I can see why you went for convenience, especially if cheaper. Thanks for the response.
Ok I really want to change to the snapp filter recommended by Marek but when I called racor the tech said although the snapp would work performance wise it may not be approved for use on inboard engine in my area because it is plastic. The bowl of the 215 racor I use now is plastic... Not sure what to do here. Racor did recommend a new unit saying that the gasket on the plunger leak is not replaceable...