Is this my primary diesel filter?

[Mike k]

Sorry for such a basic question but having recently read threads showing primary and secondary filters but when I order my filter there is only one to be fitted however there is this component that sits between the diesel tank and the metal filter that I buy- so my question is is this a filter and should there be an element inside or is it simply a water/fuel separator?

Many thanks for any replies

Mike

 

[volvopaul]

Looks like it may have aware gauze inside that you dismantle to clean out in petrol.

Why oh why do builders fit ****like this, imagine your engine stops then you have to dismantle it , clean out, refit, bleed system of air etc, all before you run aground or get hit by someone who does not see you floating around in there way. I'm not sure about the correct choice of hose clip either looking at how much has been wound through the threaded part of the clip , I gues it's what was at hand that Friday afternoon.

I'd recommend a replacement pre filter with an easy lift out paper element of a spin on fleet guard type filter, hope this helps .

 

[Latestarter1]

Cleanable cartridge........ French junk.

Take a look at SCAM website, however name sums it all up to me!

 

[timbartlett]

Right, now that we've rubbished the poor guy's boat, shall we just answer his question?

Yes, the thing in your photo is a filter housing.
I'm not familiar with that particular model: it may well have a fairly coarse washable filter in it as VolvoPaul suggests, but not necessarily -- it's more likely IMHO just a water separator.

Most engines have one filter, primarily to protect the injection pump against microscopic bits of dirt. But it is usually fairly small, and always very fine, so to protect the filter (i.e. to make it last longer between changes/blockages) most boatbuilders fit a much bigger and coarser pre-filter -- often combined with a water separator.

Personally, I don't like the terms "primary" and "secondary" because they are ambiguous (does "primary" mean "first" or "most important" ?) better, IMHO, to stick to "fine fiter" for the engine-mounted one, and "pre-filter" or "filter-separator" for the one that is screwed to the boat.

You engine spares book will not tell you anything about any pre-filter/separator, because it's not part of the engine.

 

[Latestarter1]

Right, now that we've rubbished the poor guy's boat, shall we just answer his question?

Yes, the thing in your photo is a filter housing.
I'm not familiar with that particular model: it may well have a fairly coarse washable filter in it as VolvoPaul suggests, but not necessarily -- it's more likely IMHO just a water separator.

Most engines have one filter, primarily to protect the injection pump against microscopic bits of dirt. But it is usually fairly small, and always very fine, so to protect the filter (i.e. to make it last longer between changes/blockages) most boatbuilders fit a much bigger and coarser pre-filter -- often combined with a water separator.

Personally, I don't like the terms "primary" and "secondary" because they are ambiguous (does "primary" mean "first" or "most important" ?) better, IMHO, to stick to "fine fiter" for the engine-mounted one, and "pre-filter" or "filter-separator" for the one that is screwed to the boat.

You engine spares book will not tell you anything about any pre-filter/separator, because it's not part of the engine.

Because some complete plank of a builder chooses to fit one of these as a primary filter which others view as inadequate see no reason not to point it out.

From what I remember about this stuff is is mainly an agglomerator and widdy manually cleaned filter element.

I will be kind, and substitute inadequate for French junk.

 

[Mike k]

Because some complete plank of a builder chooses to fit one of these as a primary filter which others view as inadequate see no reason not to point it out.

From what I remember about this stuff is is mainly an agglomerator and widdy manually cleaned filter element.

I will be kind, and substitute inadequate for French junk.

Thanks, will anyone be kind enough to suggest how i go about substitution with a more convention replaceable pre filter- its a 4.2 l engine 250hp- is there a specific size of housing and any suggested brands and what about the filter itself, i have had a look and there seems loads to choose from- any help gratefully received.thanks.Mike p.s what does 'widdy' mean?

 

[volvopaul]

Thanks, will anyone be kind enough to suggest how i go about substitution with a more convention replaceable pre filter- its a 4.2 l engine 250hp- is there a specific size of housing and any suggested brands and what about the filter itself, i have had a look and there seems loads to choose from- any help gratefully received.thanks.Mike p.s what does 'widdy' mean?

If from memory you have a mercruisers dtronic 250", I'd say by fitting that as standard there would have been a debate had you had fuel problems in warranty, the lift pump would have just filled up with junk from the tank, rendering your engine useless.

I'd fit a racor fg500 housing and sleep at night.

 

[Mike k]

If from memory you have a mercruisers dtronic 250", I'd say by fitting that as standard there would have been a debate had you had fuel problems in warranty, the lift pump would have just filled up with junk from the tank, rendering your engine useless.

I'd fit a racor fg500 housing and sleep at night.

Thanks Paul- can i just follow up on that ,yes your right about the engine make and happily it runs like a dream thus far-from your warranty comment did you think this was the only filter because it has also a proper spin on quicksilver diesel filter with separator too- i would welcome your comment on that just so my understanding is on track? Also The racor are you suggesting that for the pre(primary) filter?

many thanks for your responses as usual

Mike

 

[volvopaul]

Thanks Paul- can i just follow up on that ,yes your right about the engine make and happily it runs like a dream thus far-from your warranty comment did you think this was the only filter because it has also a proper spin on quicksilver diesel filter with separator too- i would welcome your comment on that just so my understanding is on track? Also The racor are you suggesting that for the pre(primary) filter?

many thanks for your responses as usual

Mike

Yes take that thing off and fit a racor, element are cheap, so easy to change you don't even have to bleed the system after as long as it's topped up with fuel just above the fuel outlet pipe, the engine one is the secondary finer filter which should not get clogged up with coarse debris.

Tim, none of us are calling his boat, just helping him save thousands on pump and injector repairs in the time he owns his boat.

 

[Mike k]

Yes take that thing off and fit a racor, element are cheap, so easy to change you don't even have to bleed the system after as long as it's topped up with fuel just above the fuel outlet pipe, the engine one is the secondary finer filter which should not get clogged up with coarse debris.

Tim, none of us are calling his boat, just helping him save thousands on pump and injector repairs in the time he owns his boat.

Hi thank you- is this unit?
http://www.asap-supplies.com/search/results/parker-racor-500fg-diesel-fuel-filter

It says its a 10 micron filter- not sure but would it be right to assume these can be fitted as pre or fine filters would that size filter cartridge be more for the fine filter (engine) and /or what filter cartidge size would i need to specify for the primary(pre filter) plesase?

 

[volvopaul]

Hi thank you- is this unit?
http://www.asap-supplies.com/search/results/parker-racor-500fg-diesel-fuel-filter

It says its a 10 micron filter- not sure but would it be right to assume these can be fitted as pre or fine filters would that size filter cartridge be more for the fine filter (engine) and /or what filter cartidge size would i need to specify for the primary(pre filter) plesase?

Hi mike, yes I'd go for that one with a 30 micron element.

 

[Mike k]

Hi mike, yes I'd go for that one with a 30 micron element.

thanks very much indeed

Mike

 

[DAKA]

Hi mike,

the scam filter is a bit of a joke these days.

It will perhaps separate some free water from the duesel but in dong so it will emulsify some water into the diesel which now not only passed your pre filter but will also now pass your main engine filter.

You need a filter that is designed to collect emulsified water.

Spin on fleetguard, fs1000

many 30 micro filters are made of cellulose paper and will not be effective against emulsified water or effective against 30% of 30 micron particles.


BUT

I dont know and perhaps volopaul and or latestater can advice what if any damage emulsified water will do to your engine, perhaps it is happy with a bit of water .

 

[PaulGooch]

<snip> it may well have a fairly coarse washable filter in it as VolvoPaul suggests, but not necessarily -- it's more likely IMHO just a water separator. <snip>

Personally, i'd rather take notice of VP or LS1 here. Besides, the filter is clearly visible in pic 1. Might i recommend Specsavers Tim ?

 

[DAKA]

Personally, i'd rather take notice of VP or LS1 here. Besides, the filter is clearly visible in pic 1. Might i recommend Specsavers Tim ?

The problem is paul that if anyone else reads it there is a danger that everyone thinks the racor is suitable for all engines and it isnt.

Volvo paul and latestarter know which engines are happy with a diet including emulsified water and which engines will be damaged or shut down(volvo d4 will do both).

The racor allows emulsified water passed and also will help emulsify some water .

The ops engine filter will only separate free water.

I presume volvopaul knows the ops engine is happy with emulsified water but others shouldnt assume the racor is suitable for their engine.



Qualified statement in that if both latestarter and Volvopaul say my post is a load of old tosh then I am happy to concede.

 

[PaulGooch]

The problem is paul that if anyone else reads it there is a danger that everyone thinks the racor is suitable for all engines and it isnt.

Volvo paul and latestarter know which engines are happy with a diet including emulsified water and which engines will be damaged or shut down(volvo d4 will do both).

The racor allows emulsified water passed and also will help emulsify some water .

The ops engine filter will only separate free water.

I presume volvopaul knows the ops engine is happy with emulsified water but others shouldnt assume the racor is suitable for their engine.



Qualified statement in that if both latestarter and Volvopaul say my post is a load of old tosh then I am happy to concede.

Pete, my reply was to Tims comment "it's more likely IMHO just a water separator", when VP and LS1 had already said what it was, plus the filter is clearly visible in the first picture.

I wasn't commenting on Pauls suggested choice of filter.

 

[benjenbav]

Hi mike, yes I'd go for that one with a 30 micron element.

With that Racor unit do you just undo the top by hand, swap the filter cartridge and drain any residual crud out of the bottom of the bowl?

 

[PaulGooch]

With that Racor unit do you just undo the top by hand, swap the filter cartridge and drain any residual crud out of the bottom of the bowl?

Yes, that's correct.