Bleeding a Racor fuel filter/water separator

[John_Clarke]

I have a Racor 120 Series fuel filter/water separator in the fuel line to my Volvo Penta MD 2020. I have replaced the filter element and filled the bowl/element with clean fuel as directed in the Racor leaflet. There is a metal vent plug in the side of the filter head and I plan to open this to let out any air. It looks as if it vents the filter head on the fuel inlet side only.

I am wondering if there may be air in the outlet side of the filter head which may work its way up to the engine. Should I also bleed the filter at the engine? I do not want the engine to stop in confined waters shortly after launching!

 

[MGambling]

Yes always good idea to bleed everything if you open fuel system

 

[samwise]

I thougjht the usual practice was to open the bleed screw on the engine fuel filter amd work the manual fuel pump lever until there are no bubbles coming out of the bleed screw, then tighten up and job done. If yiou have opened the system you have to start from that end

 

[boatmike]

You could be pumping for a very long time if you do! Assuming that the Racor is below the level of the fuel in the tank (always a good idea) then the best plan is to open the racor bleed screw and let gravity fill the housing. Then pump through from the engine.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]
You could be pumping for a very long time if you do! Assuming that the Racor is below the level of the fuel in the tank (always a good idea) then the best plan is to open the racor bleed screw and let gravity fill the housing. Then pump through from the engine.

[/ QUOTE ]

Once that is done, most modern engines will self-bleed, i.e., there is no need to bleed at the injectors.

 

[boatmike]

Yes "Puff" should have said that!

 

[John_Clarke]

Thank you all for your advice. Racor is below the level of the tank so I will do as you suggest.

 

[samwise]

I had assumed that he had followed the rules and filled the filter with fresh fuel before screwing it up. Basic stuff really. I guess the problem is that it can be hard to gauge someone's level of knowledge and not end up teaching the sucking of eggs.

 

[moanatoa]

get a oil extractor and use that to remove the air after the engine filter