Spec for primary filters on D6-370

[Guido999]

Hi All,

This may be a daft question, but I have searched everywhere and can't seem to find the answer. I need to buy some spare primary fuel filters - I have a typical RACOR glass bowl fuel/water separator. I had a nice box of a dozen filters that came with boat, which I have been dutifully replacing every year. I have now run out and stupidly didn't keep any of the old boxes, so I don't know whether I had been using 30micron, 10micron, or maybe even 2micro (which seems to be an option for my RACOR separator). I need to order some more, but not sure which micron option to go with.

I have Volvo penta D6-370 engines, but I cannot for the life of me, see anywhere in the manuals or online what micron spec Volvo actually recommend for the primary filter. I have read online differing opinions on whether to go smaller or not, so I just wanted to know what Volvo actually recommends. Does anyone know? For context, I am running the standard Volvo fuel filter as the secondary (on-engine screw in) filter.

Many thanks in advance to all of you knowledgeable guys and girls out there!
best
g.

 

[Boaty_Pete]

In absence of any replies yet, I'll chime-in and say I have Racor's and run 30micron.

The engine fitted filters are rated appropriately to protect the engine components, and 30 microns is already very fine.
I did contemplate dropping to 10 microns but then I considered that could result in blockages and fuel restriction quite quickly with poor fuel and that a staged approach was better.
I couldn't find any better advice when I looked into it.

 

[SC35]

I use 10 micron filters in my D4-260s.
I'm not sure there is a "Volvo Recommendation" as I've seen similar boats with either 30 micron or 10 micron filters fitted.

 

[Moonbeam]

I cannot for the life of me, see anywhere in the manuals or online what micron spec Volvo actually recommend for the primary filter

I see what you mean. I had a quick look to see if I could find the micron spec for the D6 engine mounted spin on fuel filter, I drew a blank
Example here ? : Volvo Penta D4, D6 Diesel Fuel Filter, Part Number 21718912

For what it's worth. We have a Cummins 425hp engine (also a common rail engine like the D6). The spin on engine mounted Fleetguard fuel filter is rated at 5 microns. I was advised by Cummins engineer to fit a 10 micron filter to the primary Racor.

He said the primary filter micron should be larger than the secondary engine mounted filter, which makes sense to me.

 

[ss2016]

I asked my maint. engineer re the Racor and he advised 10 micron on a D6-400.
I understand that common rail Diesels like the D6 filter down into the range 2-5 micron but can give you no reference for this. That certainly seems to be a logical progression.
Since the Racor has a smaller surface area than the VP spin on it would bring the engine to a halt if dirt was a problem when the spin on was almost clean, so it makes sense to me.
I am pretty sure it is NOT specified by VP.

 

[paulbrown22]

Assuming you still have one in the Racor filter housing , can't you just unscrew the top and check the current element? I thought they had markings on to say what grade they are.

 

[Bandit]

Pull the Racor filters that are fitted it says what you have been using stamped on the top. You can use Racor filters or Volvo Penta filters they boys fit and are good gear. Don’t use knock off ones they can be seriously inferior.

 

[Paul1962]

I used 30 micron Racors as prmarys and 10 micron filters on-engine

 

[madabouttheboat]

Use 10 micron pre-filters for a VP D6.

 

[Momac]

Pull the Racor filters that are fitted it says what you have been using stamped on the top.

That seems like the easy solution.