Racor fuel filter / water separator

[Rowana]

This has probably been asked many times in the past, but I can't find anything.

I'm considering fitting a Racor filter/Separator like this from the ASAP website -

<span style="color:blue"> Racor 500FG Turbine filter, with a see through bowl and 30micron element fitted. </span><span style="color:red"> Flow rate of 227lph. </span> <span style="color:blue"> Port size 3/4 in.-16unf. Dims: H 292mm x W 147mm x D 122mm. Weight 1.9 Kg. </span>

Is this suitable for my Beta 13.5 hp, considering that I never use 227 litres of diesel in a season, never mind in an hour?

I suppose what I'm asking really is, will the turbine bit still work at the (very) low flow rates I'm talking about?

Cheers
Jim

 

[samwise]

As with all these things you need to look long term at the cost of replacement filters. The more complex the more expensive they can be. The turbine may be a bit grand and more than you need. It depends what you have already. I decided to replace our existing CAV primary filter with a Racor spin on primarily because they are easier to fit and pretty much foolproof. The CAV comes with an array of seals and gaskets that have to be put on in the right order . The prospect of doing a filter change like this on a dark night in a seaway decided me on the simple path.

If you do the same as us you will need a conversion kit for your CAV system, all available from ASAP who are incredibly helpful. Talk to them and describe your engine and fuel system and they will work out an appropriate arrangement for you.

THe spin ons are more expensive than the simple CAV jobbies that can be picked up cheaply at Halfords, but I think they are worth it.

 

[davidbfox]

I got a simple replacement for existing filter and bowl from ebay, someone in the Shetlands I think. I think it's a standard tractor or truck part. The bottom part of CAV type filter is replaced with a transparent glass bowl with a drain plug. You can see if water has collected as it sits at the bottom. So far none has. It cost about £20 and it works.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Why so large? I have the little Racor, with a clear polycarbonate bowl, on a Lombardini 25 Hp engine and it is quite sufficient. Filter elements for it (R-12-T) are correspondingly small and not expensive.

 

[Rowana]

[ QUOTE ]
Why so large? I have the little Racor, with a clear polycarbonate bowl, on a Lombardini 25 Hp engine and it is quite sufficient. Filter elements for it (R-12-T) are correspondingly small and not expensive.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why so large? No reason; it was just what I came across on the ASAP website.

Is your small filter also a water separator, as that's what I require?

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]

Is your small filter also a water separator, as that's what I require?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have always understood it to be so. Any water stays in the see-through bowl at the bottom, along with any crud. The flow on a small engine allows it enough time to settle without the need for a spinner. Any smaller droplets are stopped by the element on their way up to the outlet. There is also an option of fitting a water sensor to the transparent bowl which would alert you to drain the bowl but I did not fit one.

From memory, the model that I have is the 120A which caters for a flow of 57 litres per hour. SPECIFICATIONS HERE . I can confirm this when I go the boat later on; I can even take a photo if you wish.

 

[Rowana]

Thanks very much for the link, Puff. I think I've got my head round it now.

Just one final question if you don't mind. I'm assuming that the bowl on the bottom screws to the bottom of the filter cartridge, then the cartridge/bowl is screwed to the top housing. Replacement is by unscrewing cartridge/bowl, unscrewing the bowl from the cartridge and screwing it to the new cartridge, then screwing the new cartridge/bowl to the housing. Have I got that right?

Sorry if I sound a bit thick, but I want to get it right.

Cheers
Jim

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I believe so, Jim but I really don't recall! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

It is something that one does automatically, without thinking. AFAICR you loosen the central bolt which is at the top of the housing and then unscrew the assembled filter and bowl. You fit the bowl to the new filter element, fill them with some clean diesel and screw them up onto the central bolt (the one that you loosened previously). When the top of the filter element has seated against the mounting, you then re tighten the central bolt from the top, drawing the filter up snugly against the seal. No need to over-tighten. This bolt fits into a thread that is at the centre of the filter. You fill the assembly with diesel to save time when bleeding.

Really, there is nothing to it. Not rocket science. In fact it is quite self-explanatory.

Had I seen your message before I went to the boat I would have checked to confirm. I will be going out sailing tomorrow but I shall not be back before Monday evening, weather permitting. If I can be of any help after that, feel free to PM me because this thread will surely be many pages back by that time.