Primary fuel filter replacement, Racor or not

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Peter

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Looking to install a duplex primary fuel filter assembly in the new year to replace the existing single filter. Question is which filter to user, Parker Racor seems to the favourite, would look to useing one of there spin on series and they do a duplex unit (ASAP S Supplies). Or use a "standard" Lucas /CAV filter assembly and make up as a duplex unit,, possibly a cheaper route. My main question is against the Racor filter is do you have use Racor filter elements which seem to be fairly expensive only on Racor filters of can you a "strandard" replacement fuel filter on Racor units. Also why is Racor seen to be the only way to go for filters, when compared against the standard Lucas /CAV fuel filters which I've seen on most boats , cars, industrial diesel units, and as far as I can see given no trouble. As cheap replacement filters as readly available and easy to get hold of from any auto parts shop.?

Peter
 
Vetus 75704VTE Twin Filter Unit

I use the Vetus 75704 VTE (Page 76) dual filter unit, approved for use in engine spaces.

It comes with a manifold and valves which allows changing the filter on the fly. The vacuum gauge is attached to the manifold. The plan is to convert it to a remote gauge in future. I bought these to do away with saloon mounted CAV Units. The filters have been in use for 2 1/2 years now and have performed well. Simple screw on / off units.

Something to consider.
 
If you have good access, the CAV units are OK but fiddly to change elements. I think this is why people change them for the more expensive Racor units. If yours is difficult to get at - as most are - the Racors are worth having. The Racor is a spin-on cannister type which is much easier to change (but more expensive) the CAV is a paper element type. One with a glass bowl makes it easy to check for water in the fuel whereas the metal bowl type you have to drain a bit of fuel out to see if there is water present.
Whichever type you get, make sure you mount it in an accessible place. Its a real trial fiddling with it at sea when you're having to contourt yourself over the engine to reach it with finger tips!
 
Racor is definitely the way to go, you get what you pay for, but make sure you get the clear bowls. I've mentioned this elsewhere but rather than have two filters in line fit them in parallel. In that way if you get a blockage when you really need the engine then you just switch over. That's what MoBo's have.
 
Definately a twin parallel unit, Racor or similar. Had a nightmare trip with new old boat with rough conditions and diesel bug, which blocked the primary filter twice. To be able to change the filter on the fly is a bonus without having to bleed the system. Having diesel bug is another matter - avoid avoid avoid
 
pappaecho said:
Definately a twin parallel unit, Racor or similar. Had a nightmare trip with new old boat with rough conditions and diesel bug, which blocked the primary filter twice. To be able to change the filter on the fly is a bonus without having to bleed the system. Having diesel bug is another matter - avoid avoid avoid
Click to expand...

Much better as you say is to avoid dirt in the fuel. Do this by vacuuming fuel out of the bottom of the tank every year. Then you will only need one filter and (hopefully) never have a rough weather fright.
 
Chris_Robb said:
I am not sure that you want the spin ons. Go for the 500 series. You can change the filter without spilling a drop and no need to bleed after. Yes they are more expensive, but you can see the dirt and water (if any ) in the separator bowl, and you can inspect your filter to see if its dirty.

See here for picture.http://www.starmarinedepot.com/Racor+500FG+Fuel+Filter.html
Click to expand...
I agree the Raycor filter series 500/900/1000 are easier to change, filter better, and the disposable elements are generally cheaper than the spin on series.
Consider the larger 900 series over the 500 if room is not a problem. The 900 is not much more expensive than the 500 and the filter elements are much larger. They will filter much more debris before they plug. Very useful if you do get a bug problem which seems to becoming very common.
 
Buying your fuel from a reliable source is the first step to avoiding problems. Our Volvo 2002 is so frugal, I rarely need to get fuel from marina pumps when UK cruising, so I get it from the garage forecourt, which has faster throughput and is therefore fresher and less bug risky.
Brimming the tank for winter lay up also helps.

Re filters, I switched to Racor spin ons a few years back, using the ASAP head converter on the existing CAV unit. The filters certainly are more expensive but the key gain for me was that they are much easier to swap out, especially if you were trying to do the job when the boat was rocking about.

The twin set up would be quite an expensive option and to my mind is better suited to mobos and commercial or emergency response craft.
 
samwise said:
The twin set up would be quite an expensive option and to my mind is better suited to mobos and commercial or emergency response craft.
Click to expand...

You can make your own dual filter sytem much cheaper than the Raycor units, which are just 2 filters and some plumming.
 
Racor 500 twin filter

I replaced a single Separ unit with a Racor 500 twin filter set up with vacuum gauge and change over lever this year to support my Yanmar 75hp 4 cylinder turbo diesel.

The Racor paper elements are a less than a quarter of the price of Separ and have a much larger surface area. As stated above the paper elements can be replaced without spilling any fuel and therefore bleeding the system. The clear bowls allow you in combination with the vac gauge to reassure yourself that all is well .... hands free ! I wouldn't entertain spin on filters, to messy, to expensive and no way of seeing whats going on.... been down that road in the past !

The Racor 500 is a great unit, well built, easy to service and very reassuring to have on board with its on the go change over lever.
 
Just in case anyone is still reading this thread and decides that the Racor solution is a bit pricey,

This chap has extremely good prices, and more to the point has all the copper tube, fittings and adaptors as well.

I was considering fitting a twin unit - but put off by the Edwards' (ASAP) and Midland Chandlers prices. SSL diesel stuff was much cheaper and there's a selection of aluminium as well as glass bowls. All the kit is genuine - not Chinese copies (but probably made in China anyway).

My main issue with the CAV type is having to prime the system after replacing, which I have solved by only replacing one filter at a time, starting the engine until it stalls, wait 5, start again. It will cough a bit but soon runs smoothly again.

With all the scare about bugs and FAME in fuels, I think "we" may all have to check our systems more regularly which will imply more frequent filter changes.
 
>The twin set up would be quite an expensive option and to my mind is better suited to mobos and commercial or emergency response craft.

As was said it's easy to make your own, just more fuel pipe and two switches.

>and to my mind is better suited to mobos and commercial or emergency response craft.

Well that would be true provided you never have an MOB situation, or need the engine in an emergency when the filter blocks.
 
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