Diesel filters..

[oldgit]

Over the years,quite a few of these been used in our club to replace spin on filters , especially those where the fuel filter is a real PITA to get at on one of the engines .
Some also used the opportunity to move the fuel filters to more accessible locations.
Apart from some initial fiddling to match up threads in the new filter bodies to existing piping , no problems after.
Some remade unions and some bought adaptors.
Most seem to use the genuine Racor filters, which you can buy on Ebay at sensible prices.
Are the knock offs quite as well made and finished as the genuine article, Nope, but for most folks the clones have been doing the job, in some cases for many years.

 

[ctva]

Yes. Change from cav to racor type if you have the space. They are a bit wider, and you need nearly half a meter of vertical space so you can get the filter in from above, fit the longer racor assembly, and a bit more below to use the drain plug.

You mention the spin on Racor filter, is this what you mean? How is it better than the 296 type as this is what I have due to space limitations?
Pardon our interruption...

 

[ChromeDome]

They are great. Struggling to understand how so cheap though - these are usually £500+ from the usual suspects

Maybe a hint in the eBay ad where the seller puts "NON GENIUNE Racor Type FG500"

 

[Freebee]

Maybe a hint in the eBay ad where the seller puts "NON GENIUNE Racor Type FG500"

I think all the time the Racor patent held good, Racor where able to cream a huge profit from their sales but now the patent has lapsed others from the east have jumped in copied and sell them at a much lower price with more modest profits which can only be good for the consumer...

 

[Sea Change]

You mention the spin on Racor filter, is this what you mean? How is it better than the 296 type as this is what I have due to space limitations?
Pardon our interruption...

Easier to install as the element and bowl simply screw on, whereas the Cav 296 relies on a central through-bolt and various o rings. From experience of both, the Racor is basically idiot proof, whilst it's quite easy to mess up the 296.

I'm also told that the filtration performance of the Racor is superior.

One thing the 296 has going for it is cost. I don't know about current prices but you used to be able to buy a ten pack of filters for under £20, which would barely buy you one (genuine) Racor element.

 

[ChromeDome]

I think all the time the Racor patent held good, Racor where able to cream a huge profit from their sales but now the patent has lapsed others from the east have jumped in copied and sell them at a much lower price with more modest profits which can only be good for the consumer...

..especially if the quality remains OK.

 

[PabloPicasso]

..especially if the quality remains OK.

I wondered about quality of the knock offs but plenty of folks seem to use them, Including me, without issue.

All I was really saying was the CAV type are not user fiendly. Imagine trying to do a CAV jenga change at 4am, in a lumpy approach to a strange harbour, after a challenging passage when the crew is knackered, is lashing rain, everyones miserable and you cant start the engine cos all the dross in the tank got stirred up and blocked the filter

The same filter change with a drop in type (or screw on type which I've not tried yet) is an easy 5 min job.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I wondered about quality of the knock offs but plenty of folks seem to use them, Including me, without issue.

All I was really saying was the CAV type are not user fiendly. Imagine trying to do a CAV jenga change at 4am, in a lumpy approach to a strange harbour, after a challenging passage when the crew is knackered, is lashing rain, everyones miserable and you cant start the engine cos all the dross in the tank got stirred up and blocked the filter

The same filter change with a drop in type (or screw on type which I've not tried yet) is an easy 5 min job.

The answer to that is to have twin filters with a changeover valve as I have on my boat.

No need to change a filter and bleed the fuel just switch the valve and carry on

 

[Sandy]

I fitted one last year. Only problem was that I needed to turn the top part of the unit round so that my input and output ports lined up with the 'direction of travel' for fuel.

Finding a tools that were 'thin enough' took some finding. Snap-On was the solution.

There is quite a distance between the top of the filter and the fuel ports and I suspect that any air bubbles will collect well above the output port. I check the level monthly.

 

[PabloPicasso]

The answer to that is to have twin filters with a changeover valve as I have on my boat.

No need to change a filter and bleed the fuel just switch the valve and carry on

Yes, that would be ideal. Now with cheaper knock off copies its a potentially affordable project.

Nothing like clean fuel though, but that's another thread....

 

[Sea Change]

Jumping on this filter discussion...
I picked up an unused Racor 230 assembly at a boat jumble, and I've spent this morning fitting it. It came with a 2 micron filter installed, so I bought a 10 micron at the swindlery.
I cannot for the life of me get the plastic bowl off the filter. I have a strap wrench for the filter but because the bowl is very slightly conical in shape a strap just slips. I could put a screwdriver between the two drain plugs and get leverage that way, but I suspect I'd just destroy it. I'm already seeing the filter canister distorting a little from the strap wrench.

Any tips? Should I just run it using the 2 micron, until I can pick up a spare bowl?

 

[Moodysailor]

The answer to that is to have twin filters with a changeover valve as I have on my boat.

No need to change a filter and bleed the fuel just switch the valve and carry on

This is most certainly the most secure approach, when I was on the tools changeover filters were rarified but always reccomended by me and my colleagues for good reason. A good idea if there is space, and at the price of the Racor clones, an easy decision...

 

[Freebee]

Jumping on this filter discussion...
I picked up an unused Racor 230 assembly at a boat jumble, and I've spent this morning fitting it. It came with a 2 micron filter installed, so I bought a 10 micron at the swindlery.
I cannot for the life of me get the plastic bowl off the filter. I have a strap wrench for the filter but because the bowl is very slightly conical in shape a strap just slips. I could put a screwdriver between the two drain plugs and get leverage that way, but I suspect I'd just destroy it. I'm already seeing the filter canister distorting a little from the strap wrench.

Any tips? Should I just run it using the 2 micron, until I can pick up a spare bowl?

have you tried warming up the plastic by dipping in hot water??