Replacing old CAV filter - advice please

[Firefly625]

Firstly, this in NOT on my boat, but having notice a CAV filter lurking on my brothers boat I have been on at him to replace. Having updated/improved my fuel polishing system over the winter I now have a little Parker Racor 120AT filter unit going spare, his boat is of the sailing variety and has a Volvo Penta 18hp 2002 fitted, so will sip fuel at a rate of 5l and hour I would imagine;

can I safely assume I am doing him a big favour in throwing his old unit in the bin and installing this for him..?

http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/racor-100-diesel-spin-on-fuel-filters-and-elements/racor-120at-diesel-spin-on-fuel-filter


this is what's fitted at the moment..

 

[theoldsalt]

"If it ain't broke, why fix?"

You are probably causing him worry by suggesting there is something wrong with a system that has worked OK for years (providing filter element changed as required).

 

[Firefly625]

"If it ain't broke, why fix?"

You are probably causing him worry by suggesting there is something wrong with a system that has worked OK for years (providing filter element changed as required).

well that's a thought... but another would be, may have worked well for years... but the future may not be so rosy... ?

AFAIK these CAV filters are about as good as filtering your diesel through an old pair of tights, he's got a young family who are not the best sailors in the world and I know he relies on his engine rather a lot...

 

[Spi D]

If really diggin' into regulations, no filter or separator with a see thru bowl may be fitted in the engine compartment (rule here in DK - suspect same rule applies in the UK).

Apparently a fire hazard (..or food for fire if there is one..)

 

[Bandit]

Clear bowls restrictions AFAIK applies in UK to inland waterways and commercial vessels only, Otherwise clear bowls OK.

 

[Spi D]

Hmmm. Makes you wonder if security means more/less off shore and on leisure vessels...

Lack of logic, imo.

 

[scottie]

Cav bowls are Pyrex oven proof

 

[Cardo]

If fitted with a CAV filter, surely there's a further, finer engine fuel filter?

I've always thought the CAV filter was to filter out the bigger bits of crud and separate out water, and the engine mounted filter will clear out the smaller bits of fluff.

 

[Firefly625]

If fitted with a CAV filter, surely there's a further, finer engine fuel filter?

I've always thought the CAV filter was to filter out the bigger bits of crud and separate out water, and the engine mounted filter will clear out the smaller bits of fluff.

I have not even looked as I have only been on the boat when the headlining needed sorting out, but I certainly assume there will be another engine filter.

I seem to have stumbled upon the only supporters of CAV filters in the uk... does anybody think I should bother changing it? Where's Latestarter when you need him?!

 

[Floating Preferably]

I have not even looked as I have only been on the boat when the headlining needed sorting out, but I certainly assume there will be another engine filter.

I seem to have stumbled upon the only supporters of CAV filters in the uk... does anybody think I should bother changing it? Where's Latestarter when you need him?!

FWIW I used CAV filter separators for 25 years, and the only problem was breaking a glass bowl by crunching it when craning an engine out. They are an excellent water separator with visual detection. If there was a fire hot enough the break that glass on my wooden boat that the Auto extinguishers have not put out, then I would be over the side and off the boat, certainly not worrying about whether a bit more fuel might get on the fire if the glass cracked.:encouragement:

 

[omega2]

CAV do as they say, and you can see what they have done, if engine stops and you have cold tea in the bowl them just undo the plug at the bottom and let it run out, a quick bleed and you are away again. plus the filters are pennies rather than pounds, and unlikely to clog with micro muck. aLSO WE DINOSAURS ARE PROBABLY RUNNING engines that are 30 years old.

 

[PCUK]

CAV do as they say, and you can see what they have done, if engine stops and you have cold tea in the bowl them just undo the plug at the bottom and let it run out, a quick bleed and you are away again. plus the filters are pennies rather than pounds, and unlikely to clog with micro muck. aLSO WE DINOSAURS ARE PROBABLY RUNNING engines that are 30 years old.

+1
CAV was the norm for years and I will continue to use them. Feel free to spend several times as much on 'modern' filters that are no better. 'A fool and his money etc. etc.'

 

[Freebee]

As somebody who spent many years testing and developing the CAV type filter albeit with a competitor, I can tell you that this unit filters down to 30 microns and separates free water from diesel and is entirely fit for purpose, you can of course change it for a more expensive microfilter but what will you gain? The CAV elements don't cost much and I would advocate having a spare and spare gaskets.

 

[Firefly625]

Saved me a job, lovely!

Thanks all!! :encouragement:

 

[omega2]

with the new fangled types it is handy to have a fine screwdriver to stab holes through them!!

 

[MystereMarcus]

As somebody who spent many years testing and developing the CAV type filter albeit with a competitor, I can tell you that this unit filters down to 30 microns and separates free water from diesel and is entirely fit for purpose, you can of course change it for a more expensive microfilter but what will you gain? The CAV elements don't cost much and I would advocate having a spare and spare gaskets.

Freebee, could you let me know which CAV element filters to 30 microns? All the elements I know of (296 or 796), filter to 5-7 microns which I've always thought are too fine for a primary filter. I currently have a similar set up to Firefly's brother but I'm about to change the primary unless there is a 30 micron filter available!

 

[The Dogs Pollacks Brother]

If you have a yonks old BMC chugging away like mine, the CAV filters will be just fine. We have used them since we had the Grumpster and just change them regularly...shop around and get them for a few quid each. We have a "twin" filter as a primary and then a single on the engine and apart from a bad fitting of a gasket (insert I was a ham fisted pillock icon here!) we have had no issues whatsoever...........
Modern mobo's drinking fuel at a barrel per second may be different though!

 

[Paul1962]

Racor replaceable element circa £12.00 last time I checked - CAV 296 replaceable element circa £4.00 tops. Pay your money - Take your choice.

 

[omega2]

Racor replaceable element circa £12.00 last time I checked - CAV 296 replaceable element circa £4.00 tops. Pay your money - Take your choice.

Oh yeh???

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CAV-296-F...lectables_Agricultural_RL&hash=item4cf7e428cd

 

[fisherman]

The filter shown as fitted, with the ally cup under the glass is what I removed: the crud/water sits in the glass and doesn't reach the drain off in the ally base, so you have to dismantle often. I replaced it with a simple separator with a conical transparent base with a drain tap, at the bottom. It works very well.