primary fuel filters

volvopaul

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you can get them in all sizes, I usually fit 30 micron, think there the red colour coding, though different if volvo supplied, cream colour I think.
 

duncan

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you can have hours of debate on this one! forums all over the world debate the benefits of 10 micron primarys v 30 micron primary for months.............

my 2p - I use a 10 primary and change it quite frequently. I rarely touch the secondary (which is much more of a pain to access) but drain a little liquid off it from time to time to check for water /sediment somehow getting through. If I used a 30 primary I would have to change both because I would never know how much of the really small stuff was on the secondary........
 

burgundyben

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Hi Phil, I has Separ units on the previous boat for the primary filters, used 10 micron elements and changed regularly.

BTW, been out east again, in Malaysia, came home with gastroenteritis, still laid up at home. Worn out.
 

tico

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Hi Ben
thks for that..... good guess on my part then!

been out again in April and will be out again later in the summer.
Do you go direct to KL? (Fred drift)

Nice Fairey in our marina , keep meaning to take a piccie for you.
 

ms1

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If you use 10 at primary level then the engine filters have nothing to do. I would recommend 30 (red) in the Racors and then 10 in your engine filters.
 

duncan

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[ QUOTE ]
If you use 10 at primary level then the engine filters have nothing to do. I would recommend 30 (red) in the Racors and then 10 in your engine filters.

[/ QUOTE ]

why put a 30 in the primary simply to let stuff go through to the secondary and have to change them both?
 

ms1

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Quote
why put a 30 in the primary simply to let stuff go through to the secondary and have to change them both?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Answer
Because they -both- have a job to do.
Or else take one filter away and save 2 quid a year on a secondary filter element.
 

hlb

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Because, in a perfect world, all fuel would be clean. But it's not, mainly cos your tank is rusty, full of gunge and maybe has the bug as well. So the first filter takes out the big turds and lets the little ones by, else it would stop the little turds and diesel as well. Mostly it's only big turds or water that cause problems, these can be dealt with at the primary stage. Before they over flow into the primary filter.
 

Sixpence

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You put it so nicely /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Duncan , as Haydn says , filtration removes varying degrees of solids in a fluid so to protect an engine and help it run better the fuel is filterred through different grades of filter , starting with coarse and gradually getting finer . If you removed the coarse grade filter and left only the fine it would clog up with the larger particulates so much faster . Same principle applies with any fluid treatment , including your drinking water
 

burgundyben

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so the only reason for a soarse filter is so it lasts longer? Sounds like an excuse to not have clean diesel to me.

I say stick with 10 micron and keep the tanks and contents properly.
 

Sixpence

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Up to you buddy , but you might be surprised at how much gunge gets pumped into your tank when you fill up , so personally speaking I'll be fitting at least two stage filtration , with only one engine I'm quite keen on making sure I don't break it by feeding rubbish into it
 

burgundyben

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The thing is, my old tub 40 years old this year, I was aware that I had quite a bit crud in the tanks, couple of years ago I cut big holes in the tops of the tanks, cleaned them out and fitted inspection hatches and new fuel lines.

I now have absolute visibility of my fuel and what ever maybe, or may not be lurking in the tanks.

Whilst were at it, when filling up the boat I use a funnel with a gauze, interesting point, I always buy my fuel from the same place, never had a spec of dirt in the funnel.
 

Sixpence

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Older engines tend to be more capable of running on muckier stuff than the new fangled ones so you could always go without filters and see what happens but your 10M one should cover any chance of any nasties getting through too
 

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