Good Funnel - essential kit

SAWDOC

SAWDOC

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 Feb 2008
Messages
1,326
Location
Ireland West Coast
Visit site
This is basic but essential....

Couple of seasons ago, I had several instances of air lock problems with my Yanmar 2GM, resulting in the engine cutting out. Most forumites will be quick to suggest (correctly in this case) that the problem was caused by dirt in the fuel tank. When I changed the primary fuel filter (between fuel tank and engine), I noticed it was quite dirty. I gave the fuel tank a complete clean and spent a few bob on a good fuel funnel. The funnel I had prior to this had a coarse filter mesh and was pretty useless in removing contaminants. This one does the job properly.

006.jpg


Everything that goes into the fuel tank passess through this funnel at least once. Never had an airlock in the two seasons since. Pretty basic stuff, but it may save someone an unwanted airlock sometime. Funnel stays in the stern locker and is available when fuel top up is required. And I always carry a new fuel filter on board as a back-up.
 
I've got one of these, always use it and it seems to work.

However it's a bit of a PITA that the design leaves a significant amount of diesel in the funnel after use, which then has to be decanted into another container.
 
JayBee said:
I've got one of these, always use it and it seems to work.

However it's a bit of a PITA that the design leaves a significant amount of diesel in the funnel after use, which then has to be decanted into another container.
Click to expand...

Agreed but if you did have water in your fuel that is where it would end up so it does serve a purpose. I end up swabbing it out with paper towel.
 
SAWDOC said:
Agreed but if you did have water in your fuel that is where it would end up so it does serve a purpose. I end up swabbing it out with paper towel.
Click to expand...

I would be pleased if it WAS water, but it is only ever diesel. I know this because after I have decanted, it I allow it to settle. I have never seen any water, in spite of putting thousands of litres through it from many different shore tanks in the UK and elsewhere.

The problem is in the design of the funnel. If only water free diesel went through it, it should be more or less dry.
 
You can get dirty fuel in any country. We met a number of people in spain having problems with fuel bug. We then picked up a quantity of slimy threads wich blocked pipes let alone filters last year, despite having used additives on every filling since the boat was new. The problems seem to be worst early in the season. possibly fuel has sat in a largely empty marina tank over winter. We now buy all fuel in cans from busy garages.
 
Can I ask about the speed that fuel passes through the filter - I've considered one of these filters a few times but have always wondered whether it appreciably slows down the fuelling process (on my typical fill of 50L).
 
Moonfire said:
Can I ask about the speed that fuel passes through the filter - I've considered one of these filters a few times but have always wondered whether it appreciably slows down the fuelling process (on my typical fill of 50L).
Click to expand...


the fuel flow through the filter is about the same as when you pour fuel from a portable can, ie it slows down the process just a tiny bit
 
Moonfire said:
Can I ask about the speed that fuel passes through the filter - I've considered one of these filters a few times but have always wondered whether it appreciably slows down the fuelling process (on my typical fill of 50L).
Click to expand...

Assuming you start with a clean filter, through flow is reasonable. As the filter begins to block out small particles, the flow rate does slow down. When this gets too slow, I gently rub my gloved finger along the fine mesh which usually gets it going again. Flow rate is really a function of size of funnel and cleanliness of fuel. In one way you do want the filter to stop impurities getting into your fuel tank so a slow down in the rate of flow means the device is working. My fuel tank capacity is 35 litres and I use it every time. Even if it is a little slow you are better off using it. I normally fill a 45 litre drum which allows me time then to filter before fuel ends up in tank.
 
SAWDOC said:
Assuming you start with a clean filter, through flow is reasonable. As the filter begins to block out small particles, the flow rate does slow down. When this gets too slow, I gently rub my gloved finger along the fine mesh which usually gets it going again. Flow rate is really a function of size of funnel and cleanliness of fuel. In one way you do want the filter to stop impurities getting into your fuel tank so a slow down in the rate of flow means the device is working. My fuel tank capacity is 35 litres and I use it every time. Even if it is a little slow you are better off using it. I normally fill a 45 litre drum which allows me time then to filter before fuel ends up in tank.
Click to expand...

Thanks
 
The filter looks like a great idea, but can I ask another question (hope that's ok to do on the same thread and sorry if it's a stupid question)? There has been some mention of flow rate, but will the filter cope with the flow rate from a pump? It sounds like those using it are filling jerry cans or drums, then using the filter to fill their tanks from aforementioned jerry can or drum.
 
CornishSailor said:
The filter looks like a great idea, but can I ask another question (hope that's ok to do on the same thread and sorry if it's a stupid question)? There has been some mention of flow rate, but will the filter cope with the flow rate from a pump? It sounds like those using it are filling jerry cans or drums, then using the filter to fill their tanks from aforementioned jerry can or drum.
Click to expand...

I would say that fuel flow from a pump could easily pass out throughput of the filter funnel. But why fill directly from a pump if there is any possibility that there are impurities or water in the fuel? It seems to me to be a better approach to fill a drum of suitable size and then filter. Better still if you have two drums and you can then filter as often as you want.
 
CornishSailor said:
but will the filter cope with the flow rate from a pump? It sounds like those using it are filling jerry cans or drums, then using the filter to fill their tanks from aforementioned jerry can or drum.
Click to expand...


IMHO no, continuous pump flow no, you'd have to stop the pistol pump from time to time; it surely takes more time to empty the jerrycan through the filter into the tank than it takes to fill the jerrycan with the average station pump.
 
If you are worried about throughput, ASAP Supplies sell similar models from Racor. The largest having a throughput of 40ltr/min. Mind you costs nearly £60 see here
 
I've got one - different colour, but made by Racor and bought from ASAP Supplies. They come in 3 different sizes I think, mines the smallest. The biggest might just cope with fuel delivered by pump.
They are cleanable and mine came with the necessary instructions for cleaning and subsequently testing that it was still ok at keeping out water. Obviously they also protect against solid contaminants as well.
Highly recommended, despite the dribble left in the bottom.
Beaten to it by the captain....
 
Thistle said:
Doesn't this just push some of the sludge through the mesh - exactly what you are trying to avoid?
Click to expand...

Gently does it - I move ny finger up along the mesh not pressing into it. Obviously this may not be neccessary at all if your fuel is reasonably clean. If I was more patient I probably would let it go through slowly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top