Our West Marine Fuel Filter Funnel will not allow diesel fuel to flow past the filter element. The funnel was stored in a plastic bag below next to the through hulls, however, no water was in the bag/funnel. The filter element will not allow fresh fuel, without biocide and injector cleaner, to pass through the funnel. Has anyone experienced a similiar problem with their fuel filter funnel and how did you clean/unclog the filter element? The funnel is also sold under the Racor brand.
West Marine Fuel Filter Funnel
- Thread starter RickS
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Happened to mine
After a fueling with some not so great fuel. Took it home and with carburetor cleaner and gasoline with a tooth brush was able to clean the gunk out. Seems as though I also used Gunk Cleaner. Haven't had any other problems with it. Make sure I get my cans filled up a a good gas station. Wish the filter would come out for easier cleaning.....
Jim
After a fueling with some not so great fuel. Took it home and with carburetor cleaner and gasoline with a tooth brush was able to clean the gunk out. Seems as though I also used Gunk Cleaner. Haven't had any other problems with it. Make sure I get my cans filled up a a good gas station. Wish the filter would come out for easier cleaning.....
Jim
If this is the black plastic
funnel, that separates water and crud, and sells for around $30 at West I routinely clean mine by pointing a hose, with minimal pressure on, up the bottom. This seems to wash out any crud caught in the filter. While this may not apply to your case, this filter will not let fuel pass through it until the bowl of the filter is about half full.
funnel, that separates water and crud, and sells for around $30 at West I routinely clean mine by pointing a hose, with minimal pressure on, up the bottom. This seems to wash out any crud caught in the filter. While this may not apply to your case, this filter will not let fuel pass through it until the bowl of the filter is about half full.
Funnel performance
The fuel filter funnel is the black plastic funnel with a treated metallic filter element in the center. The funnel was full and the filter would not allow any fuel in the fuel can treated with Biocide and Lucas Oil Injector cleaner. The filter would not allow any fuel from the fuel pump to pass as well.
The fuel filter funnel is the black plastic funnel with a treated metallic filter element in the center. The funnel was full and the filter would not allow any fuel in the fuel can treated with Biocide and Lucas Oil Injector cleaner. The filter would not allow any fuel from the fuel pump to pass as well.
if it were mine...
I'd soak it in a dilute solution of bleach and dish soap, rinse it, then soak in dilute muriatic acid (note always add acid to water...start with about a cup per gallon). If still clogged, up the acid level, but wear gloves and eye protection and be careful. Should do the trick. Alternately, if the cost was less than $30, buy a new one. The first soak will kill the bugs and suspend any oily stuff / particles...the second will get in all the nooks and crannies. This is what they recommend for pleated pool filters and I have used with with very good results. It is important to use the bleach/soap step for pleated filter materials as the acid will just ingrain any oils into the material. For an entirely metal filter you might be able to get away without that step, but if the filter has any depth I wouldn't skip it.
I'd soak it in a dilute solution of bleach and dish soap, rinse it, then soak in dilute muriatic acid (note always add acid to water...start with about a cup per gallon). If still clogged, up the acid level, but wear gloves and eye protection and be careful. Should do the trick. Alternately, if the cost was less than $30, buy a new one. The first soak will kill the bugs and suspend any oily stuff / particles...the second will get in all the nooks and crannies. This is what they recommend for pleated pool filters and I have used with with very good results. It is important to use the bleach/soap step for pleated filter materials as the acid will just ingrain any oils into the material. For an entirely metal filter you might be able to get away without that step, but if the filter has any depth I wouldn't skip it.
WM fuel funnel
I have used one of these WM funnels for the past 3 years without a problem. I alternate between filling my fishing boat with outboard motor using gas and the diesel tank on the sailboat. I have to admit I fill the Mako for the Yamaha 150 a heck of a lot more than the diesel tank in the sailboat. Maybe the gas keeps it from gumming up? T
I have used one of these WM funnels for the past 3 years without a problem. I alternate between filling my fishing boat with outboard motor using gas and the diesel tank on the sailboat. I have to admit I fill the Mako for the Yamaha 150 a heck of a lot more than the diesel tank in the sailboat. Maybe the gas keeps it from gumming up? T
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