Racor Fuel Filter

[robrichtx]

Hi Guys -

I have a Racor water separating fuel filter unit set up as my primary
filter (before engine driven fuel pump). There is a secondary filter
on the engine, between the fuel pump and the injectors.

I've been having quite a few problems with it and have removed it from
the boat in order to test it. One of the plastic caps broke, and I've
noticed that a few O rings are missing.

I was able to temporarily test it by cobbling together a test rig,
some other O rings and using electrical tape as a stop gap against air
ingress.

After reviewing the setup, I don't know that I'm very satisfied with
the Racor unit. The fittings are custom threaded, and the O rings are
odd shaped as well. I've seen equal results (visibly) with inline
filters that you can purchase from the auto parts store. And, overall,
it seems to be needlessly complicated.

Has anyone used another, simpler setup for their primary filter with
comparable/better results?

Thanks -

Rob

[Rick Donovan]

not sure what the others will have to say on this question but my answer is that Racor is the standard for marine diesel engines. any boat I have been aboard in the last 20 years has used Racor for the fuel filter system. there has to be a reason for this beyond a good marketing campaign. I would not recommend changing to an inline filter from your local auto supply store. first of all there is no way to separate the water from the fuel in the inline filters I am thinking of. I would not consider an inline filter for any more than a bandaid to get me home. I think you are asking for big trouble in the end.

generally the primary filter has a slightly larger micron filter, 10 micron, installed and the unit is designed to separate the water from the fuel. the secondary filter is normally for the smallest particles, my 473 was a 2 micron secondary filter. as I see it, they operate as "the filter system" when both are used. there is a reason the manufacturers install 2 filters. dirty fuel is absolutely the biggest reason for problems in a marine diesel engine.

not sure what you are describing as custom threaded fittings and odd shaped o rings. any Racor filter I have worked with used standard fittings for the suction and pressure lines. are the orings distorted from being under pressure and that is why you think they are oddly shaped?? orings are pennies a piece and readily available at many places like any good bearing house, auto parts store etc. the plastic caps are probably available as well from Racor as replacement items for a small cost. these items may be allowing air into the fuel system and they could be the reason for your problems.

Rick Donovan
Biddeford, Maine

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[Jeffrey Schwartz]

NO All older Racor filters used their own THREAD style. Call Racor and
describe what you need they will provide it or provide you a source. Newer
model Racor filters now use standard threads... but older ones did not. You
must get the Racor part...no choice.

Jeffrey Schwartz

[mark....@gmail.com]

Have you considered replacing your older unit with a modern Racor or Racors - they are excellent.

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

[robrichtx]

Thank you Gents -

I am definitely not looking to use any filter other than one designed
for diesel fuel, and I'll be looking to keep the current 10 micron
primary, 2 micron secondary setup. I think the primary is necessary,
if for no other reason, to protect the fuel pump itself.

I'm just wondering if there's an alternate, simpler option out there,
with fewer seams for air ingress. As I count it, there are TEN areas
where air can get into the fuel on this single Racor filter housing.
In my opinion, that's just too much. Add to that the non-standard
threads, custom O rings, and I think I'm entitled to be a little
critical.

That said - I don't see a whole lot of alternatives out there, so I
may be stuck.

Rob

[Beelzebub]

The input and output threads on a Racor are standard NPT. Threads that hold
the components together may be unique, but so what? There is no such thing
as standard O -ring sizes. Thousands of products use unique O-rings. And
when one buys a new filter element new O-rings are included for the bowl and
filter. The notion that "a few O rings are missing " is more a mechanic
problem than product problem. A Racor is the "standard" for diesel fuel
filtering in the USA. It's built the way it is not only for particle
filtration, but water separation as well. And in a marine environment water
separation is equally as important if not more so. An in-line auto type
filter could suffice for particle filtration, but not water separation.

Donald
Anchorage, Alaska

Thank you Gents -

Rob

--

[Max Lynn]

As someone who had an alternative to a Racor on a former boat, I will
suggest that you don't want to go that way. I got caught in Mexico with a
another brand filter (can't even remember the name now), and could not get a
replacement cartridge. Racors are the standard, and I haven't had that many
problems with them. I agree with everything that Rick Donovan said. I
would strongly advise that you not try to economize on this item lest you
repeat my experience of spending too much time in the engine compartment
changing filters while bucking into heavy seas.

Max Lynn

----- Original Message -----
From: "robrichtx" <robr...@gmail.com>
To: "Beneteau Owners" <benetea...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 6:07 AM
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Racor Fuel Filter

Thank you Gents -

Rob

--

[Bob at Gmail]

Rob,
I agree with all the preceding posters about Racor being the gold
standard in diesel filtration.
It would help us understand your comments and target our responses if
you would give us the
Model of the Racor that you have and find so troublesome.

Bob
S/V Our Dream
'97 Beneteau Oceanis 351 #195
Slip C-17, Castle Harbor Marina
Chester River Kent Island
Chester, MD
_/)__/)__/)_

--------------------------------------------------
From: "Max Lynn" <max...@cox.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 11:04 AM
To: <benetea...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Racor Fuel Filter

[Ca...@aol.com]

In a message dated 12/22/2009 11:18:16 AM Eastern Standard Time, ourdr...@gmail.com writes:

Rob,
I agree with all the preceding posters about Racor being the gold
standard in diesel filtration.
It would help us understand your comments and target our responses if
you would give us the
Model of the Racor that you have and find so troublesome.

I agree with all previous statements. Racors on the current Yanmar (two each in the Filter Boss) and one on our NextGen genset, and on previous C&C with Yanmar and on virtually all chartered boats (over 12) and never a problem. Please point out these 10 air egress points ... I have changed filters numerous times and never noticed any source other than the gasket (new one with every Racor filter) and 'O' ring (also new with a new filter). You might want to coat the gasket with a few fingers of oil out of the old filter before installing it.

Cap & Linda Munday
Zydeco, Beneteau 473 #20
Jekyll Island, Georgia

[jbf...@comcast.net]

I am not really in favor of monopolies mostly because they lead to high prices, but I have to respect companys that earn them.  In my opinion, there is no other diesel filtration choice than Parker Racor.  I have many friends who own boats, construction equipment, ag equipment, trucks, and etc. and none of them would ever consider anything other than a Racor.  I cannot respond to the odd fittings, "O" rings, and etc. but in my opinion, I would not experiment with anything else.

 

Joe Fults

----- Original Message -----
From: "robrichtx" <robr...@gmail.com>
To: "Beneteau Owners" <benetea...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 9:07:41 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: {Beneteau Owners} Re: Racor Fuel Filter

[robrichtx]

Well - the threads on my unit are definitely not standard. I tried
NPT, Flare and Compression (just for giggles) and none of the threads
seated properly (must have checked 12 pieces of hardware and cross
checked with the plumbing guy - he was stumped).

The Racor unit is assembled downstairs with fuel in it, and there is
no externally visible part number on it, but it is the standard
mounted version with 2 input and 2 output threaded orifices on the
top. Looks like a B320? A Racor R12T 10-Micron filter attaches to this
unit via a central vertical fuel pipe with a hex head on the top, and
on the bottom of the filter, a clear yellow plastic bowl attaches with
two drain fittings.

My gripe with the O-rings is that some appear to be flat, rather than
the more common rounded type - not easily found at the local hardware
store. There are two O-rings on the center, threaded fuel pipe, one on
each of the four inlet/outlet threaded orifices, one one the bottom of
the plastic bowl - they're everywhere. My engine only draws air when
this Racor filter is connected. When I take it out of the loop, the
engine purrs like a kitten on it's water separating secondary filter.
All those O-rings make troubleshooting tough.

Someone asked how there could be 10 areas for air ingress - it's
pretty simple. There are six orifices on the top mount itself, two on
the bottom of the bowl, plus the other two that folks here have
mentioned (the gasket and the red O ring on the bowl (both come with
each new R12T filter)).

I guess what you're probably hearing from me is frustration. My car is
a diesel (VW, TDI) and it has a great fuel filter. It's water
separating and lasts 20,000 miles. Very simple hose hook ups and it
changes out from the top - very neat and clean. Price is not the major
issue here, especially considering what bad fuel can do to an engine.

Looks like I am the odd man out here, but I still don't like the
design, as I've seen better.

And as always - I appreciate everyone's input!

Rob

> contact denny.werthei...@gmail.com if you have a list management question

[Beelzebub]

Maybe it's a discontinued Racor that I've never seen, but with over forty
years experience with marine diesels I'd say you got something non-standard.
The solution is obvious! Discard that damn piece of junk and install a new
Racor. If the input and output threads are not NPT then somebody must have
done some customizing. What you identify as the flat O-ring is the O-ring
for the filter element. As for the o-rings on the inlet and outlet, well
that again sounds like some customization. Probably greater than 90% of all
diesel boats have Racor filter. Your situation is an anomaly. As for your
VW filter, it has nowhere near the particle contaminant capacity and water
capacity as a Racor marine filter. Anything greater than a Racor model 110S
is a huge improvement over your auto filter in every category.

Rob

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[robrichtx]

Donald, I'm gonna agree with you that it's probably easier to just
chuck the whole thing.

On the VW filter though, I'll disagree. It filters down to 5 microns
because the TDI runs some pretty crazy pressures (pump duese motor).
So it's actually cleaner than the R12T that's on the Racor primary
unit. If it didn't drop the resale value of the boat, I'd probably
plumb one in ;)

Rob

> For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/Beneteau-Owners

[Beelzebub]

I'm not suggesting that the VW filter will not capture small contaminants.
It probably does that real well. But it does not have substantial capacity
to hold a large amount of contaminants and still flow adequately. Same goes
for water. There's one hell of a big difference between an engine starving
because of a clogged filter on a road and a marine engine shutting down in
some gnarly situation. Marine filters are designed with that in mind.

Rob

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[Jeffrey Schwartz]

Simple call Racor order parts... very simple. I did this once years ago for
my own older Racor filter they only charged me for shipping.

Rob

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