Fuel Filters for the technically challenged

[robmcg]

Right! I may be lazy or mechanically challenged but my least favourite boat job is changing the primary fuel filter (CAV type). I am one of those people who manages to get diesel everywhere, even though the filter is easily accessed. I hate having to bleed the system afterwards so is there a like for like replacement that would a) lessen the amount of diesel spilled by the incompetent filter changer b) Not mean that I have to bleed the system c) Super easy to install in lieu of the CAV filter d) Still retain the sight bowl to check for water and crud. ?

 

[Fr J Hackett]

You could try a Racor or learn how to do the job cleanly try dropping the wole assembly into a sealing polythene bag which will catch all the diesel, you then carefully take the bits out wipe them cleac and free of diesel reassemble with new filter chuck contents of bag into marina waste oil tank. Job done.

 

[mersey]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ESCORT-DI...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item45fa6ca9e6

Takes screw/twist on/off filters, cheap to replace and has a hand primer to help bleeding.

 

[prv]

Racor filters as sold by ASAP. Screw on and off like an oil filter, no need to spill anything if mounted upright. There's still a bowl on the bottom, with a drain valve intended for water but which I use to empty out the diesel before unscrewing (put a short length of tube on the end of the valve and lead it into a jug). Some models have a priming pump.

Pete

 

[maxi77]

You could try a Racor or learn how to do the job cleanly try dropping the wole assembly into a sealing polythene bag which will catch all the diesel, you then carefully take the bits out wipe them cleac and free of diesel reassemble with new filter chuck contents of bag into marina waste oil tank. Job done.

Instead of the poly bag try a cut off pet lemonade bottle. Choose a diameter a bit more than your filter and cut it a bit longer. Hold under the filter whilst you unscrew and bingo all the fuel the filer and everything ends up in the bottle, no mess and easily sorted out when extracted, and more robust than a poly bag.

 

[ditchcrawler]

If you use a large plastic milk bottle(4 pts) with part cut off you even get a handle to hold.I use it upside down with the top well screwed on.You can then unscrew the top to drain it.

 

[donm]

Right! I may be lazy or mechanically challenged but my least favourite boat job is changing the primary fuel filter (CAV type). I am one of those people who manages to get diesel everywhere, even though the filter is easily accessed. I hate having to bleed the system afterwards so is there a like for like replacement that would a) lessen the amount of diesel spilled by the incompetent filter changer b) Not mean that I have to bleed the system c) Super easy to install in lieu of the CAV filter d) Still retain the sight bowl to check for water and crud. ?

I'm not lazy or mechanically challenged but still could never do this job easily. It is not just getting the old one out without spillage, but then fitting the new one without trapping the rubber washers causing air/fuel leaks, and then the process of bleeding succssfully, all undertaken on my side beneath the cockpit sole.

So I swallowed hard and fitted a Racor turbine filter, and now I simply lift out the old one and drop in the new one........luverly!

 

[Kyle2]

I've just fitted a CAV filter assembly that takes a Delphi 496 spin-on filter. The fittings on the head are the same as the normal CAV type filter, so it was an easy job to change it. Filter changes will hopefully be quicker and easier in future, and the assembly is now completely dry on the outside, which wasn't usually the case with the old CAV unit.