Fuel Filter

Biggles · 13 February 2007, 01:07

Not too sure if this should be here. I have a Ribcraft 585. Its fully serviced but I have a sneaky feeling the service doesn't have anything to do with the filter thats fitted on the fuel line and resides inside the console.
My question is, what does this filter do and should I be opening it up and having a look inside. The boat is 2 years old now. The filter has a single large brass nut on top. If I undo that will I be able to take the filter out. Then can I just empty it and be happy that it will carry on doing its job. I don't really want to be getting stuck in the English channel with a filter full of water. Although JK might be have a quiet chuckle if I do.

From a complete noob can I have some advice please.

Nos4r2 · 13 February 2007, 02:43

Can you post a pic of it? It's hard to tell without seeing it which/what type of filter it is.

matt h · 13 February 2007, 09:49

if its a ribcraft fitted item it will be super easy to do, just a simple cannister filter, and definately take it out and understand how it works ,clean it and replace cannister, they are pretty cheap the disposable ones!!

Biggles · 13 February 2007, 14:08

Here goes for the pic. Looks like I lied about the brass nut. In fact it looks just like a car oil filter.

Is it just a case of unscrewing anti clockwise ?

Is it also a part that is replaced on an engine service ?

Can I take it off empty it out and re use it ?

Any idea of the part number ?

Many thanks.

bedajim · 13 February 2007, 14:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Here goes for the pic. Looks like I lied about the brass nut. In fact it looks just like a car oil filter.

Is it just a case of unscrewing anti clockwise ?

Is it also a part that is replaced on an engine service ?

Can I take it off empty it out and re use it ?

Any idea of the part number ?

Many thanks.

It may have a washable element but I don't think so

I'd talk to www.asap-supplies.com as they can probably do you a replacment cartridge if required and may be able to offer a water seperator unit to bolt on

James

Pete7 · 13 February 2007, 14:58

Nick looks like a quicksilver type and no you can't re-use it, not cheap to replace either. You might want to think about changing the whole thing for one of the CAV type with filter and glass bowl, that way you can see the petrol, its colour and if there is any water in it. CAV type are about £36 from a Diesel pump specialist like Panda in Fareham or E Bay. They say not for petrol, but the one on the club boat was fitted in 97 and has only had one filter change since then and still going fine. Replacement CAV filters are £3 each, worth having a couple of spares.

Pete

Nos4r2 · 13 February 2007, 15:49

You could try what I've done as well-one of these and an inline fuel filter for a car which are about 50p each from a motor factors. Just make sure you get the car filter for the biggest engine you can find.

jyasaki · 13 February 2007, 16:02

Looks like a combination fuel filter/water separator. Spin on cartridge, should run about $40 or so (more or less; depends on the brand, I suppose) for the canister element. They are not meant to be reused. The brass nut (I assume you're talking about the left hand side of the picture) is a plug to a second inlet/outlet pair. The element you show simply spins off or on.

I prefer the Racor filters with the clear plastic bowl (you can see any trapped water, and drain it out from a little valve at the bottom.)

One word of caution: if the filter element clogs due to water or dirt, you won't get fuel to the motor (or at least, not enough.) Might be a good idea to carry a spare filter element, especially if you can't be sure about getting water in the tank, or dirty fuel from the pump.

Unrelated note: There are stainless steel mounting brackets available; the painted aluminum ones tend to look really crappy after a season or so. (Not that I'm commenting on the condition of your RIB, of course...)

jky

Biggles · 13 February 2007, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyasaki

One word of caution: if the filter element clogs due to water or dirt, you won't get fuel to the motor (or at least, not enough.) Might be a good idea to carry a spare filter element, especially if you can't be sure about getting water in the tank, or dirty fuel from the pump.

jky

Thanks for that. This is what I'm thinking. So best to be prepared.

With regards the state of the filter. It does look bad in the picture. Its mainly yellow dust from the gelcoat after I'd done some drilling to fit speakers and CD player etc, and you can just start to see the paint lifting. Must give it another hoover. Funny how photos make some things look worse.

Hightower · 13 February 2007, 16:36

Is the consol the best place for the fuel filter? I thought most were on the transom.

Nos4r2 · 13 February 2007, 16:40

I don't think it matters as long as it's upright does it?

Neil Harvey · 13 February 2007, 16:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Thanks for that. This is what I'm thinking. So best to be prepared.

With regards the state of the filter. It does look bad in the picture. Its mainly yellow dust from the gelcoat after I'd done some drilling to fit speakers and CD player etc, and you can just start to see the paint lifting. Must give it another hoover. Funny how photos make some things look worse.

Hi Nick,

Remember when I had to turn back on the Poole cruise having launched with you from Warsash? That was because that filter had not been changed in a while, despite having been serviced, and was clogged. Had I switched to the portable tanks which I connect direct, would have been able to carry on. But would not have had enought fuel for the journey.

So, as you said, always good to have a sppare on board. Then you just have to be able to recognise the syptoms, which in my case were running at full revs for 30 secs or so, then pulling back with no change in throttle setting.

So now, I need to get another, but definitely a good idea.

Cheers
Neil

matt h · 13 February 2007, 17:01

just spin it off anti clockwise and replace with the same, part number and/or MANUFACTURER should be on the side, expect to pay no mre than a tenner ands you Cannot clean that filter out,

Biggles · 14 February 2007, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt h

just spin it off anti clockwise and replace with the same, part number and/or MANUFACTURER should be on the side, expect to pay no mre than a tenner ands you Cannot clean that filter out,

Cheers Matt,

I've E mailed RIBCRAFT for a part number. I will post as soon as I get a reply with a part number. So that any other RIBCRAFT owners can store it for future reference. I think I've got a few weeks before I get out on the Brinny anyway. So no rush.

Nauti Buoy · 14 February 2007, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Cheers Matt,

I've E mailed RIBCRAFT for a part number. I will post as soon as I get a reply with a part number. So that any other RIBCRAFT owners can store it for future reference. I think I've got a few weeks before I get out on the Brinny anyway. So no rush.

Hi

I am 99% certain this was changed on the service I had done, as the locker smelt of petrol after that had serviced it, and this was down to them changing the filter. You have the receipt there of the company who did the last service just before you bought it off of me. I believe they changed it.

regards

Richard

Biggles · 14 February 2007, 11:29

Richard,

Thanks. It does look like a new filter. But the whol boat looks new so its hard to work out whats original or not. I think I'm just going to buy a filter and keep it as a spare on the boat just in case. Its something I can do now and might save me a lot of embarrasment in the future for a few quid outlay.

Plus knowledge is power as they say. Its probably not hard to change a filter but its new for me.

bedajim · 14 February 2007, 11:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggles

Richard,

Thanks. It does look like a new filter. But the whol boat looks new so its hard to work out whats original or not. I think I'm just going to buy a filter and keep it as a spare on the boat just in case. Its something I can do now and might save me a lot of embarrasment in the future for a few quid outlay.

Plus knowledge is power as they say. Its probably not hard to change a filter but its new for me.

I'd buy two fit one now and keep one for future, with the filter wrench you need to remove the old one + you know what your doing when it hits the fan in future

James

Simon B · 14 February 2007, 15:29

Ours is on the transom, we replace it yearly, theres always an amount of rusty water in it even trying to wash it out isnt worht it. Ours is a Yamaha part previously it was a similar looking affair possibly from a canal boat chandlers..

Although it didnt have any wellington boots filled with flowers or painted in primary colours on it.

Also fairly sure they havent been to bad on price the Yam one was about £8 for the replacable element.

jyasaki · 14 February 2007, 16:20

One more thing: The filter elements are reasonably similar between manufacturers. Swapping between them is not a real big deal, as long as the thread size, mating surfaces, and flow rate are the same (or higher, in the case of flow rate.)

Manufacturers (that I'm aware of) include Sierra, Quicksilver, Yamaha, and Racor, and there are probably a bunch of others (I have a suspicion that the branded ones, Quicksilver and Yamaha specifically, are rebadged Sierras.)

jky

LURCHER · 15 February 2007, 08:16

When you do change it tip thefuel into a clear conatiner , it will give you and idea of what is in the fuel like water and dirt ! We towed a boat back from Thames Barrier to Putney last year due to water in the filter.