Shut off valve at racor?

Ralph Johnstone · Jan 13, 2016

Something like this ................................. ?

Made from brass fittings bought from a commercial plumbing supplier. The black gunk on the threaded fittings is teflon tape with a thin application of Permatex 2 over the tape. Teflon tape by itself usually leaks.

Without a Racor model number it's kind of hard to tell what is leaking but my first suspicion would be the gasket if it's a Racor 110A.

If not the top gasket, try resealing all of the NPT fittings with teflon and Permatex 2 as previously mentioned.

Benny17441 · Jan 13, 2016

They are like red wine bottles; no matter how careful you pour it they always leave the red ring on the table. If it is a persistent leak that clearly manifests itself at the top it is likely that the small round gasket that sits under the screw down T-handle is either missing or fouled. Have changed many a Racor filter elements underway and in foul weather conditions ( of course that is when the filters get clogged ) and have never needed to use the fuel shutoff valve, I just do not think it will help as when you remove the old element there are going to be fuel drips anyway. I just keep a rag handy to minimize and clean any spill.

JK_Boston_Catalina310 · Jan 22, 2016

I've toyed with installing a shut off valve. The C310 will gravity feed so without shutting off the fuel you have to be very quick to not have a diesel mess. I recently had to change out my electric fuel lift pump and really wished I had the shut off then.

You can install one if you have. Enough room. I came to the conclusion that I didn't without the valve getting in the way or creating a chafe point for something. Just be sure to get a valve that is oil compatible. Most of the ones the home store aren't and probably aren't USCG approved either.

Good luck and fair winds,

Jesse

Stu Jackson · Jan 22, 2016

SailFysh said:
but would like to know more about where I can buy valve.

Neal, not all of us are computer wizkids, but this is too simple:

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/apollo-valves--bronze-ball-valves-for-fuel-shut-off--P006_187_003_501

I spent about five nanoseconds on the West Marine website and typed in fuel shut off valves. Really, how hard can it be?

And I'm not a computer genius.

Good luck.

Don't buy brass, buy bronze, for a boat.

I was in a WM store and found the valves in the plumbing or fuel filter area of the store.

Donnybrook · Jan 23, 2016

While a valve would be nice, you need to fix a leak. Racors are bad about getting hairline cracks when things have been over torqued. If all avenues to find the leak have failed, then buy a new one. It won't fix itself.

dziedzicmj · Jan 24, 2016

I am not sure about your filter, but if it has a built in pump (for priming), it might have a leak there. They have a tendency to leak.