CAV filter not sealing

[Sandy]

That's the problem with boats, so many of them have such poor access. It's bad enough doing one that requires the skills of a contortionist at routine maintenance time, trying to do it in the dark in a rough sea can quickly become a nightmare.

Well said that man.

I was fed up of changing the CAV filter that was behind the engine, under my bunk, all done at arms length while laying at 45 degrees to the unit. All sorted my fitting a top loading filter unit in the engine compartment beside the engine.

 

[singlehanded]

I have just changed my filter and it came with two large O rings one slightly smaller that fits on to the top of the bowl. The second larger one fits in the top housing where the filter keeps it in place. Should there be any very small O rings with the replacement filter? Also does anyone know why there are filter assemblies with very small bowls and some with bowls as large as the filter. Is this just a cost issue?

 

[Plum]

I have just changed my filter and it came with two large O rings one slightly smaller that fits on to the top of the bowl. The second larger one fits in the top housing where the filter keeps it in place. Should there be any very small O rings with the replacement filter? Also does anyone know why there are filter assemblies with very small bowls and some with bowls as large as the filter. Is this just a cost issue?

On my CAV filter housing there is a smaller o-ring that seals the inner bore of the cartridge to the spiggot under the top section of the housing. You may have to stand on your head to see it! The section below the cartridge will collect any water and has a drain cock. Some housings have a larger lower section to enable more water to be collected before a problem arrises and some have a transparent cylinder that fits between the cartridge and the lower aluminium section so you can see the water but these have a third large sealing ring. There are two additional small sealing washers, one for the bleed screw and one for the drain cock but I have never seen these in the box with a new cartridge.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[pvb]

On my CAV filter housing there is a smaller o-ring that seals the inner bore of the cartridge to the spiggot under the top section of the housing.

There should also be a very tiny O-ring which seals the top of the bolt which holds the whole thing together.

 

[Plum]

There should also be a very tiny O-ring which seals the top of the bolt which holds the whole thing together.

Your right! I forgot that one.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[dslittle]

I always thought this was one of the uses of vaseline - having just the right consistency.

When I first got my current boat I had the engine serviced ‘professionally’ to maintain the warranty. I watched the mechanic do the work and he showed me ‘his’ trick of using Vaseline to hold the seal in position whilst doing it all up. I have used a smear of Vaseline since and never had a problem so I hope that it’s OK!!!