Diesel Racal Water Seperator

[Oasis22]

I noticed after severe lack of performance that there are bubbles visible in the glass jar. I assume this means air is getting I to the fuel between the tank and this first stage filtration and could account for loss in performance, to the extent I came at at less than 1000 revs. It’s on a Volvo Kad 44 engine. Whilst not easily visible, there is a steady stream of them.

 

[Plum]

I noticed after severe lack of performance that there are bubbles visible in the glass jar. I assume this means air is getting I to the fuel between the tank and this first stage filtration and could account for loss in performance, to the extent I came at at less than 1000 revs. It’s on a Volvo Kad 44 engine. Whilst not easily visible, there is a steady stream of them.
View attachment 140994

looks like it is time you removed the clear bowl and give everything a good clean anyway. You can then fit new seals to the bowl rim and the drain cock when you reassemble. If the two lid seals are good then you only need to check between the filter and the tank.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Oily Rag]

Mine is above the fuel tank and above the engine fuel pump. That means any leak at the Racor lid seal will let air in.

The seal is not an "O" ring, but just a flat washer, so it needs a fair pressure to seal. There is an "O" ring on the bolt shaft, but it seems to me that the groove it fits in is too big.

Until I started putting a light coat of Vaseline around the top of the bolt on the outside of the lid, I found that the diesel level in the Racor dropped to about a couple of centimetres. Now it stays full.
Good luck!

 

[Oasis22]

looks like it is time you removed the clear bowl and give everything a good clean anyway. You can then fit new seals to the bowl rim and the drain cock when you reassemble. If the two lid seals are good then you only need to check between the filter and the tank.

www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

I changed out the lid and screw seals last weekend. I think only thing I can try now is a separate tank to rule out an issue on the fuel tank pickup.

 

[Oasis22]

Mine is above the fuel tank and above the engine fuel pump. That means any leak at the Racor lid seal will let air in.

The seal is not an "O" ring, but just a flat washer, so it needs a fair pressure to seal. There is an "O" ring on the bolt shaft, but it seems to me that the groove it fits in is too big.

Until I started putting a light coat of Vaseline around the top of the bolt on the outside of the lid, I found that the diesel level in the Racor dropped to about a couple of centimetres. Now it stays full.
Good luck!

I changed both seals last weekend with new filter but continues to do the same. I put them both back with a slight coating of assembly greaat. Mines the same, above tank and lift pump. This stays full but just these tiny air bubbles, like drinking through a straw with a whole in it.

 

[Oily Rag]

Air is either entering at the tank (low diesel level and/or heeling when motor sailing), the Racor itself, or, more likely, through pipe connections. If using hose clips, make sure they are square to the pipe and that you use a small socket to tighten, not a screwdriver. And if they are not good quality hose clips, now would be a good time to change them. ?

 

[Frankklose]

Rebuilding A Racor Turbine Filter by Compass Marine How To
Read this you might have a clogged up water separator. I had the same problem last week. Losts of dirt underneath the ball. The ball was not moving because of zthe dirt. I did not let any diesel through. Tried with pressurized air, didn't help , had to take the racor apart. When I opened the top vacuum was present....

 

[jwfrary]

Could also be the centre gasket in the assembly, or any of the fittings prior to the racor.

I smear both sides of the gasket with a bit of grease prior to assembly, usually cures it.