Stupid filters.

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
On my Westerbeke, I have a small fuel filter mounted on the engine proper, it came from the factory with it, that basically just looks like a pre-filter. Now I think I understand why they would put this thing on the engine, as it would be better than nothing if an owner didn't go the Racor route. But through the years, the Lord has called mine home. And while I consider a lot of this engine to be the technological, and mechanical equivalent of the Guatemalan Space Program, (which consist of a bucket, and one man with a dream), I'm thinking about doing away with it altogether.
There is a similar filter on most Cat engines, just a small metal screen that essentially removes the garbage, like rust chunks, M.R.E.'s, ammunition, and feminine hygiene products, but this is BEFORE a very large canister fuel filter.
I have a Racor 10 micron filter BETWEEN the tank, and this screen.
So would it be common to throw this thing away? I know, I know, for all you "greenies" out there, I'll recycle it..
 

RichH

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Feb 14, 2005
4,773
Tayana 37 cutter; I20/M20 SCOWS Worton Creek, MD
Here's the full technical reason for the engine mounted 'guard' filter @ typically 15-17µM .... and is usually downstream of a 10µM or (10µM + 30µM) Racor set.

As the name implies, a guard filter is there in case the working fuel line filters fail. Failure is by pleat breakage due to high water content in the oil which over time 'digests' the cellulose filter paper in the Racors OR is a last chance if the soft particles captured in/on the Racors start to 'extrude' through the 10µM. Since the guard filter has very little surface area and high resistance at even moderate capture of particles ... it will quickly choke and shut the whole system down by blocking the flow .... similar to a fuse.
 
Jan 30, 2012
1,154
Nor'Sea 27 "Kiwanda" Portland/ Anacortes
Chris --

So -- I think RichH's advice would recommend that you should not do away with that guard filter.

I would also add that you should change the guard filter element annually.

Charles
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,353
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Chris, that cannister filter is the bottom of the fuel pump and is incorrectly installed at the factory. Should be Racor, pump (w/filter in bottom), engine mounted secondary filter, engine.

You shouldn't be without all of them.
 
Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Ah ha. Yepper, I see your point. If the Racor "dies", that apparatus catches the corpse. I did not think of that. It just sprang a leak, I think the o-ring, I've not even checked it yet. The screen filter in it is new, I am kind of funny about filters, but prior to the replies I got, it didn't make sense to me its existence, being between the Racor and the engine. Well snot!
I guess I'll fix it. Torreson Marine is loving me..

Silly head gasket was 200 bucks, wow...
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,075
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
If, like the Perkins, this is a multi-piece filter, there is a "spin-on" adapter which really makes life SO Much easier.
 
Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Well, Torrinson(sic?), Marine has a picture of this thing, in their online manual section. It's a 30B Three engine. I've neglected to photo the thing, but it's really a silly little canister, barely large enough to stick your thumb in, and a metal screen element that looks better suited to be a primary filter/screen. An O-ring may fix it, but D***!!! Every time I want a 2 dollar part, that shipping fee is grinding on me.

I'm tired of being poor....
 
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