Fuel Filters
- Thread starter Gary
- Start date
dave_a
Dave Ahlers
It depends how dirty your fuel tank is. The finer the filter the better. But the quicker it will foul in dirty fuel. Have you ever had your fuel/tank "polished"? Its a process with a high volume pump & filter that stirs up the sediment off the bottom so the filter can catch it.
Do you or the PO use a biocide?
I had two racor 500's in series. A 10mic under the sink in place of the perkins water separator, then a 2 mic before the engine then the 10 mic Perkins filter. Never had problems or a fouled filter...BUT I had cleaned the fuel tank with a DIY polisher. There was a lot of crap in the fuel tank. Looked like leaves! I pretty much clogged up a giant 900 racor filter on the polisher.
You'll have problems with fuel filters when the boat pounds. Heavy seas or entering a rough inlet will stir all the junk off the bottom. Then to the filter. Always at the worst possible time, when you can ill afford a dead engine.
To answer your question, my philosophy was to prevent the engine filter from clogging because it would be impossible to change that in a seaway. So I'd say find out what the mic rating on the yanmar filter and go one step finer, or at least equal. (Its probably a 10 mic).
Put the racor where its easy to change and carry a small bit of diesel to refill the racor canister for a rapid change out.
Give some thought to having the fuel & tank cleaned if necessary. The irony is it costs equal/less than a towboat charge.
Do you or the PO use a biocide?
I had two racor 500's in series. A 10mic under the sink in place of the perkins water separator, then a 2 mic before the engine then the 10 mic Perkins filter. Never had problems or a fouled filter...BUT I had cleaned the fuel tank with a DIY polisher. There was a lot of crap in the fuel tank. Looked like leaves! I pretty much clogged up a giant 900 racor filter on the polisher.
You'll have problems with fuel filters when the boat pounds. Heavy seas or entering a rough inlet will stir all the junk off the bottom. Then to the filter. Always at the worst possible time, when you can ill afford a dead engine.
To answer your question, my philosophy was to prevent the engine filter from clogging because it would be impossible to change that in a seaway. So I'd say find out what the mic rating on the yanmar filter and go one step finer, or at least equal. (Its probably a 10 mic).
Put the racor where its easy to change and carry a small bit of diesel to refill the racor canister for a rapid change out.
Give some thought to having the fuel & tank cleaned if necessary. The irony is it costs equal/less than a towboat charge.
terry_thatcher
Terence Thatcher
Never heard of a do it yourself polisher. Previously hired to have it done. You build your own? How?
dave_a
Dave Ahlers
I borrowed from a dock mate who had a Island Gypsy trawler / steel tanks etc. He made it himself.
I believe it had a high volume Perko pump suitable for fuel use, hooked to a big Racor 900 fuel filter canister. Pretty simple really.
I'll reach out to him for a picture. Perhaps he'll sell it, since the trawler is down the road. But it might be easier to spend $200 and have your tank "polished". There are mobile guys in FL who will come to your boat and do it for you.
I put a flexible copper pipe on the suction side (at least 3/8"ID), and probed in the fuel gauge hole. I was reluctant to pull the entire tank flange top off. I manually probed all around the tank innards. I ran it for hours, on my belly, trying to get that copper pipe in to all parts of the tank.
A little background: Microbes live in diesel fuel. They die and settle to the bottom of fuel tanks, along with tars & sludge. Get into bumpy seas, it lifts off the bottom and clogs filters. I used Racor biocide and a diesel fuel conditioner (for pump & injector lube) every time I put fuel in the boat. Once the tank is clean, I wanted to keep it that way.
I believe it had a high volume Perko pump suitable for fuel use, hooked to a big Racor 900 fuel filter canister. Pretty simple really.
I'll reach out to him for a picture. Perhaps he'll sell it, since the trawler is down the road. But it might be easier to spend $200 and have your tank "polished". There are mobile guys in FL who will come to your boat and do it for you.
I put a flexible copper pipe on the suction side (at least 3/8"ID), and probed in the fuel gauge hole. I was reluctant to pull the entire tank flange top off. I manually probed all around the tank innards. I ran it for hours, on my belly, trying to get that copper pipe in to all parts of the tank.
A little background: Microbes live in diesel fuel. They die and settle to the bottom of fuel tanks, along with tars & sludge. Get into bumpy seas, it lifts off the bottom and clogs filters. I used Racor biocide and a diesel fuel conditioner (for pump & injector lube) every time I put fuel in the boat. Once the tank is clean, I wanted to keep it that way.
stnick
lee nicholas
If your the next owner of a boat the next thing after the contract is signed Is call the fuel polisher guy ! Dont take the chance. He will strain all your fuel Pull the top of the tank sender off and use a rag on a long stick makes a big swab and cleans the bottom of the tank . You need to be there and see for your self. ! You need to understand he has just saved you from a tow in rough seas when the filter clogged !!
Its not that expensive Call the fuel polisher man !! You want a clean tank and clean fuel !
Its not that expensive Call the fuel polisher man !! You want a clean tank and clean fuel !
john Gonzalez
Member
This may need to be on a different thread, but I can't get to all the screws to take the metal cap offer the fuel tank. it is partially blocked by the seating/cabinet. My tank appears to be empty and I thought about cleaning the tank manually if I could take the tank cap off. Any one with this experience?