New Primary Fuel Filter

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christopherc

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I have a Purflow filter fitted, which is a french unit and the only UK importer has apparently stopped importing them. It seems I need to fit a new filter and have done a couple of searches for recommendations. Racor seem to be preferred over CAV, is this about right?

Its a volvo MD2020 engine.
 
Forumites seem to agree on that point . Nevertheless I kept using the CAV units fitted on my (Beneteau, then Jeanneau) boats: cheap but replacement is a bit messy...
 
The CAV filter is a good one but can be a nightmare to change with several rubber rings to put (and keep) in the right places as you assemble it. Not a job to undertake in a hurry at sea!

The Racor is a spin-on job which should be easy to change, but cheap it ain't. For the same money - or less, you could do what I'm in the process of doing: Get a matching pair of simple filter holders from diesel cars and fir them with taps top and bottom on each. More by good luck than good judgment, I found a pair that use the same spin-on filter as my final filter.

That way you run on one filter, and when the engine dies at just the wrong moment, you just have 4 taps to turn and you're ready to go again. You can use a T tap top and bottom, but they're quite dear, even with the extra pipework the 4 simple taps work out cheaper
 
Carrumba! Sounds complicated and time consuming. I think I'll go for the racor as its recommended as easy to change on the move. I now find there are 3 filter sizes 2/10/30 micron, more to this than I thought!
 
I had a CAV filter/seperator and replaced it with a Racor. Easier to replace the element [especially in a restricted location] and it never leaks. I'm 100% happy with it despite the extra cost but "the best is the cheapest in the end etc"
 
I use 30 in the Racor filter/ water separator then 10 in the CAV296 to catch anything that the racor didnt.
 
I've got both, both work well.

The Racor is more expensive to buy, far easier to service, replacement filters are similar prices.

Rather than change I'd suggest you contact the French maker to get your replacement element, they used to have a good reputation.

PS Sure Fram do a substitute?
 
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