Diesel Filter...

MagicalArmchair

MagicalArmchair

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Because you can never have too many threads about the same thing (especially something as exciting as fuel filters), so apologies if I have missed something in my trawling through all the old threads!

Triola, inexcusably, still has only a water separator and no sensible primary filter before the engine filter. This winter the tank is coming out to get scrubbed, an inspecting hatch will be added to that, all fuel pipes are being replaced, and the old CAV water separator is going to be replaced... with something...

We don't do hundreds and hundreds of hours of motoring a year, so one £20 replacement a year won't break the bank - its more the principle if we get some dirty fuel (I'd like to carry a box of five ideally). Also, I note there is no way of priming the filters above, and I'd need to draw the fuel through from the engine lift pump (boring, lengthy, especially if changing at sea!)

You go to SSL Diesels, you can get a self priming filter for less than £30: https://www.ssldieselparts.co.uk/primer-with-filter-small-glass-bowl-p-932.html

Surely this has got to be the filter to go for? Why pay 1,000% more for filter elements for the same micron of filtration?

I can't help but think I must be missing something that makes the Racor worth that uplift?

Edit: ASAP when answering this question state: The Racor filters feature Aqua bloc protection which will repel water away from the element and the elements contain a lot more media (paper) so have a larger surface area than the CAV filters. All in all they provide much greater protection than using a CAV filter
 
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My last boat had a CAV filter which did give trouble at times; the sealing rings not bedding probably - my fault I expect. Current boat had similar so in fit of new ownership present giving decided on new filter unit. Did a search on forum and found that recommendations were from those who'd never had any problems at all with CAV, those who swore by Racor and those who'd found something just as good from non marine source but much cheaper. In the end I splashed out on Racor thinking that cost of spin on was worth it to do a quick change in dodgy circumstances. There was also a tiny, tiny thought that if I spent a bit the engine would appreciate it and be more friendly ;-)
 
The filters for my Racor 500 are the paper type rather than spin-on cartridges and are less than £10 each. Is there a cheaper Racor than the 500 that takes the cheaper filters?

I paid £120-odd for my genuine Racor but there are much cheaper Chinese copies out there I believe. Or perhaps a second hand one?

I'm using 10 micron.

Richard
 
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MagicalArmchair said:
You go to SSL Diesels, you can get a self priming filter for less than £30: https://www.ssldieselparts.co.uk/primer-with-filter-small-glass-bowl-p-932.html

Surely this has got to be the filter to go for? Why pay 1,000% more for filter elements for the same micron of filtration?
Click to expand...

That sort of self priming filter makes a lot of sense. Racor products look very nice, but are rather expensive, as you've noted. Racor tend to be recommended by people who don't have the manual dexterity to hold a CAV bowl on whilst simultaneously screwing the bolt in the top!:rolleyes:
 
I fitted a bleed nipple with internal ball valve to my engine filter heads so I can prime the system fully in a couple of minutes very cleanly using a pela oil pump, it replaces the normal bleed screw on the filter head, they are made for brake calipers so can take plenty of pressure.
You can get double length filters for the cav filter heads you just need to change the centre bolt for a longer one, can't remeber the number offhand but it's what I have fitted on my pre-filters.
 
Spuddy said:
There was also a tiny, tiny thought that if I spent a bit the engine would appreciate it and be more friendly ;-)
Click to expand...

There is a part of me that thinks that too, buying cheap often invites disaster - especially where engine bits are concerned. The fiddly glass bowl affair of my current CAV water separator has often put me off removing it and cleaning it out when I should have done (pvd, yup, I'm lacking dexterity alright :) )...so I should remortgage to ships dog again I suppose...

ASAP recommend this: http://www.asap-supplies.com/brands/racor/fuel-filters/racor-215r10-diesel-spin-on-fuel-filter as its got a priming pump on it too... well they would I suppose as it means more dosh for them!

French marine only supply the Vetus filters, and they cost even more (taking elements into consideration too) ! https://www.frenchmarine.com/product/Vetus-Fuel-filter-WS180-608-99

I'm still not so sure I buy ASAPs claim that the Racors offer significantly more protection. The Delphi filters protect modern, common rail, road diesels that are far more sensitive to rubbish in the fuel than our agricultural units... I wonder what Parker have to say about it...
 
RichardS said:
The filters for my Racor 500 are the paper type rather than spin-on cartridges and are less than £10 each. Is there a cheaper Racor than the 500 that takes the cheaper filters?

I paid £120-odd for my genuine Racor but there are much cheaper Chinese copies out there I believe. Or perhaps a second hand one?

I'm using 10 micron.

Richard
Click to expand...

I had a Racor 500 on my last boat. Worked very well and filters less than a tenner, as you say. New one is £180 now, but Chinese copies on Ebay £70.
 
There is a perkins spin on cannister that has a similar primer pump on. I'm undecided whether to go for that, as they are way easier to change. If yours is set up like mine it has to be done from the cabin, reaching over the top of the engine.
The original has done fine for 40 years though.

Mike
 
Ah, a fellow Ballad owner! Hello Mike! I've got some more Ballad original marketing gumph to put on the below site that will interest you - must get around to updating it.

Yes, its on the port side as you look at the engine, so not exactly the easiest to get to:

ALjuPEql.png
 
An interesting site, though it must take some time to keep it up.

I will probably go the CAV route in the end because they are available pretty much every where. Though changing them whilst upside down in a swell won't do my stomach any good.

You have the same crack in the support for the step. Must be part of their character.

Mike
 
ibbo said:
There is a perkins spin on cannister that has a similar primer pump on. I'm undecided whether to go for that, as they are way easier to change. If yours is set up like mine it has to be done from the cabin, reaching over the top of the engine.
The original has done fine for 40 years though.

Mike
Click to expand...

Sounds like the arrangement Peugeot fitted to the 205/309 series vehicles. A trip to the scrappy sounds in order.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/yellow_spider/temp/fuel_filter_1.jpg
 
MagicalArmchair said:
Because you can never have too many threads about the same thing (especially something as exciting as fuel filters), so apologies if I have missed something in my trawling through all the old threads!

Triola, inexcusably, still has only a water separator and no sensible primary filter before the engine filter. This winter the tank is coming out to get scrubbed, an inspecting hatch will be added to that, all fuel pipes are being replaced, and the old CAV water separator is going to be replaced... with something...

We don't do hundreds and hundreds of hours of motoring a year, so one £20 replacement a year won't break the bank - its more the principle if we get some dirty fuel (I'd like to carry a box of five ideally). Also, I note there is no way of priming the filters above, and I'd need to draw the fuel through from the engine lift pump (boring, lengthy, especially if changing at sea!)

You go to SSL Diesels, you can get a self priming filter for less than £30: https://www.ssldieselparts.co.uk/primer-with-filter-small-glass-bowl-p-932.html

Surely this has got to be the filter to go for? Why pay 1,000% more for filter elements for the same micron of filtration?

I can't help but think I must be missing something that makes the Racor worth that uplift?

Edit: ASAP when answering this question state: The Racor filters feature Aqua bloc protection which will repel water away from the element and the elements contain a lot more media (paper) so have a larger surface area than the CAV filters. All in all they provide much greater protection than using a CAV filter
Click to expand...

I have experience of both the Racor (not spin-on) and CAV filters and both are good reliable filters but the CAV is much harder to replace the filter in a confined space. I would never want to be without a clear inspection bowl.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
pvb said:
:D Yes, some boats have filters in ridiculous locations. But remember it's quite easy to re-locate the primary filter so that it's more accessible.
Click to expand...
No doubt, but in my case rather than extend pipework I took the opportunity of replacing a CAV filter which leaked (someone had over tightened it) with a Racor which doesn't and which is very easy to replace without needing a spanner, so I'm happy with what I did. :encouragement:
 
pvb said:
That sort of self priming filter makes a lot of sense. Racor products look very nice, but are rather expensive, as you've noted. Racor tend to be recommended by people who don't have the manual dexterity to hold a CAV bowl on whilst simultaneously screwing the bolt in the top!:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Love it, have been changing them since I was an apprentice over 50 years ago. After the first few, no leaks!
Stu
 
pvb said:
:D Yes, some boats have filters in ridiculous locations. But remember it's quite easy to re-locate the primary filter so that it's more accessible.
Click to expand...

May well be possible to relocate the secondary too, depending on the engine. I have all my filters mounted in a row on the engine bay bulkhead, with a light above, a drip-tray underneath, and the tools for changing them in a little rack nearby.

Pete
 
pvb said:
Lots of filters are now being fitted with metal bowls. What do you see as the advantage of a clear bowl?
Click to expand...

A quick visual check of any build-up of water or crud rather than havjng to drain a bit to see what comes out. As you know, metal bowls are fitted as an easy option to meet the inland waterways bss requirements for fire resistance although some of the Racor ones have a metal heat shield below the clear bowl to meet the bss.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
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