Who has fitted more convenient filters, re-sited theirs ?

[Refueler]

A chat with another the other day brought up the idea of engine filters. Particularly fuel.
Unlike mine - many boats seem to have the filters in some inaccessible places, leading to scraped knuckles, certain words of vocabulary used, and general abuse of mans body !

I commented that maybe it's possible to re-site a filter. take of the old pipes and filter, buy new unbent pipes ... longer ... bend to form, fit filter in better position and then connect up. Only matter to bear in mind of course if filter is remote mounted to make sure that movement of engine doesn't strain or crack the piping.
The other comment I made was fitting of a first filter in the line to catch all the crud. Now if that is fitted - would it be reasonable to suggest that original hard to get at filter could be left for much longer in service ? possibly even years given that it is now not called on to do its primary function ?

The oil filter of course is a different matter as that would be hard to re-site unless you have an oil-cooler system that could be used to fit a second filter in ?

Ideas ? Anyone altered their set-ups ? I'm sure there are plenty out there that would love to save their knuckles !!

 

[status]

Re oil filters, once installed a big volvo something on a 60'. Oil filter was completly inaccesable. From a motor factor, alleged for use in motor sport we bought a remote kit. This consisted of an adaptor that fitted the spin on oil filter point of the engine coming out in two flexible hoses and a bulkhead mount for the filter itself. Needed a spot more oil than listed but worked fine.

 

[pvb]

After a nasty episode of diesel bug, I've now got a modified system with twin primary fuel filters with individual on/off taps. So one filter is in use, whilst the second one is new and primed and ready to switch on in an instant if needed. They're mounted in a locker with a fluorescent light, making them accessible and easy to work on.

 

[Wino]

I have re-sited both oil and fuel filters on various boats with various engines. Re oil it is usualy possible to buy a fitting that will bolt on to the same holes as an oil filter mounting - try ASAp or simular - Fuel, even easier just lengthen your supply and return pipes - if diesel, buy a new filter set up (preferably 2 with change over taps ) again ASAP supplies or your local diesel fuel engineer could advise - easy access to your fuel filters is essential, trying to change some of the more stupid filter assemblies in positions designed by a limbo dancer at night in rough weather is something best left to the designer of your boat, then next time he may think of its poor owner.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Twin Vp's both have remote oil and fuel filters, fuel supply line had double filter set up with change over valves.

Also did this on a much smaller mono hull we owned some years back, saildrive under cockpit, very poor access, so shifted fuel filters.

You only need to have a fuel filter block when entering a marina once to change your mind about the value of double filters.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[pathfinder]

My fuel tank had a drain plug at its lowest point.I removed the plug and replaced it with a valve and short length of hose.Once ayear I drain off about 1litre of fuel this has some crud in it but not much, the water separator/fuel filter glass bowl is always clean when i check now so I change the filters a lot less then i used to and never have fuel problems.(also use fuel set diesel treatment)

 

[Refueler]

The post was more to drag out those who have done it and maybe give others who consider it the confidence that it can be done.

Thanks to those who have done it and been successful ...

 

[Stemar]

[ QUOTE ]
After a nasty episode of diesel bug, I've now got a modified system with twin primary fuel filters with individual on/off taps. So one filter is in use, whilst the second one is new and primed and ready to switch on in an instant if needed. They're mounted in a locker with a fluorescent light, making them accessible and easy to work on.

[/ QUOTE ]My nasty episode was a rough sea and low fuel stirring up the crud in the tank so the engine died 100 yards short of No4 buoy. This was followed by an entrance into Portsmouth harbour under sail with a fluky wind and Fastcat Ryde coming out. Took 5 years off me life, it did.

I used spin-on filters rather than CAV ones 'cos I don't rate my chances of changing a CAV filter in a hurry when it's bumpy.

 

[crisjones]

I have had problems with diesel bug and the major issue is that the sludge tends to block the inlet port to the filter rather than the filter itself, so you have to change the filter and clean out the ports etc. This is probably more of an issue for us because we have Racor primary filters and these have a priming pump and non-return ball valves in the inlet port so meaning that it does not take much sludge or slime to cause a blockage.

My solution to this was to fit a coarse 50 micron gauze filter unit with clear bowl and large inlet and outlet ports as the first line of defence. The gauze filter will stop anything that is big enough to block the ports on the next Racor filter and the clear bowl means it is very easy to see if you need to clean it.
The Racor is the next filter and water trap and this is mounted in an easily accessed position with lever taps on both pipes to make filter changing very easy and clean.

Finally the std volvo spin on cartridge filter has been moved off the engine block to a bulkhead with flexi pipe connections, this can also be changed very easily now and I can get a container underneath to catch the diesel and filter as it comes off.

Since modifying the system as above I have never had an engine stop through fuel starvation and the expensive Racor and Volvo filters are changed a bit less often because the gauze unit does some of the work for them.

 

[rays]

My Jeanneau had a primary fuel filter that was so inaccessable that the local Volvo dealer declared it hadn't got one! I, however, was made of sterner stuff and located it hidden behind a bulkhead under the tank after 2 hours of looking/feeling around. It was virtually impossible to change the filter in the marina,let alone at sea. I changed the outlet pipe for a longer one. Had a new bracket glassed on the hull aft of the sterngland and installed a glass bottomed job. I can see this by lifting one piece of ply. V reassuring to check occassionally on a long passage.

 

[brianhumber]

After loosing much skin and hanging upside down after the first filter change on Ronhilda, Sadlers name was shite and I relocated my fuel and water seperator to just under the cockpit engine access hatch. However this meant I had to fit a priming bulb between tank outlet and first filter as the filters are well above engine and tank so I have to keep the system airtight. The DPA injector pump has no problems in overcoming the increased head requirement.

Well if I cannot keep a fuel system tight I should give up my engineering registrations and dayjob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifand indeed the new arrangement has worked a treat for over a decade now.

Brian

 

[Marsupial]

Yes its a good idea.

I simply removed the element from the old filter casing and sited another one in a service friendly place.

I use fuel set and after a couple of years renewing filters and cutting them up to see what I ve caught I hardly change them at all, the filter I removed was as clean as the filter I was fitting; now I just keep an eye on the contents of the class bowl.

 

[Refueler]

I don't actually have need to re-site filters as mine are reasonable access ... but the thought of a pre-filter to stop anything getting to the original appeals ...

As can be seen here, removal of the engine box side panel allows me good access (ignore the rubbish stowed for winter lay-up there !) :

and similarly the oil filter (black cylinder) ... and the impellor housing below the clear pipe at front ...

 

[Chris_Robb]

I replaced the standard CAV fuel filter, which I found was:

- difficult to see, being mounted very low down

- Very messy when changing filters.

- Difficult to stop it dripping fuel

I gave up last year and put up with it. I read on here that it is easy to mix the top and bottom seal up.... anyway...

I replaced with a Racor turbine filter, here

This is a wonderfully easy fuel filter to change the element - a matter of minutes, and no spilt fuel. Also easy to see and drain down of any water in it.

For connectors, I went to Hyphose in Farlington Portsmouth, who made up the tank to filter and filter to engine feed with armoured flexible hose, whilst I waited - great service. Dead easy to fit too.
Hyphose


Really glad I did the job and got rid of the loathsome CAV filter.