Water seperating fuel filter

MustRib · 03 February 2008, 00:31

Just wondering if I need one of these with my rig...
My gas is in plastic 25litre tanks on the deck.
Should I have one of these filters fastened to the transom.
How many peeps on here have one on their rib?

cheers

Andy

Nos4r2 · 03 February 2008, 00:43

I've got one on mine, and had one on the SR4 before it. I didn't shell out for the expensive cartridge type though. I use an automotive type inline fuel filter (cheap and easy to carry a spare) and a steel mesh/glass bowl type water separator that I can see if there's contamination in.

It's easy to get water in through a tank breather if you stuff the boat.

codprawn · 03 February 2008, 01:48

How good are the seperators if you have got water in the fuel???

Nos4r2 · 03 February 2008, 03:17

Mine seems to work but draining it through the screw at the bottom takes a while unless I loosen the glass bowl.

jwalker · 03 February 2008, 09:29

Quote:

Mine seems to work but draining it through the screw at the bottom takes a while unless I loosen the glass bowl.

Put the squeeze bulb before the separator then you can drive in new fuel to replace the water.

They work pretty well, Codders. There is always some water in yer fuel...maybe not much, but some.

Nos4r2 · 03 February 2008, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Put the squeeze bulb before the separator then you can drive in new fuel to replace the water.

I can't. Mine has 2 inlets in use so I can run 2 tanks at once.

alystra · 03 February 2008, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Put the squeeze bulb before the separator then you can drive in new fuel to replace the water.

They work pretty well, Codders. There is always some water in yer fuel...maybe not much, but some.

I'd agree with that. Usually the surface separation is visible and you can drain it away - unless you pour a whole five litres of water into the tank as I did once.

Couldn't understand why the engine suddenly stopped as there was no fuel/water separation line in the glass bowl. It was only when I got back to the mooring and drained the bowl to check again that I realised the stuff pouring out didn't smell and was 'beading' on my then oily hands.

jwalker · 03 February 2008, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I can't. Mine has 2 inlets in use so I can run 2 tanks at once.

Use 2 bulbs.

chris p · 03 February 2008, 18:34

I have one on my SR5.4 i'm able to swap between plastic tank and built in tank. wont go with out it

MustRib · 03 February 2008, 20:38

seems like I should be fitting one then...
the oroiginal Yamaha part is around £50+ .. anyone tried the Tempo one which is only around £35+????

Nos4r2 · 04 February 2008, 00:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Use 2 bulbs.

D'oh! I should have thought of that.

Pete7 · 04 February 2008, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Mine seems to work but draining it through the screw at the bottom takes a while unless I loosen the glass bowl.

Isn't there a bleed screw on the top?

One question for you though, do both tanks drain down equally? I suppose you could control which tank feeds by opening and closing the tank breather screws.

Pete

al40 · 04 February 2008, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by MustRib

seems like I should be fitting one then...
the oroiginal Yamaha part is around £50+ .. anyone tried the Tempo one which is only around £35+????

Yes I had one of them - worked fine but did corode quickly. I did however crack the casing eventually by overtightening one of the barb connectors for the tank so if you went for it, just be careful. Stainless version would be better!

Nos4r2 · 04 February 2008, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Isn't there a bleed screw on the top?

One question for you though, do both tanks drain down equally? I suppose you could control which tank feeds by opening and closing the tank breather screws.

Pete

No bleed screw. I can undo the glass bowl via the central bolt (10mm SS) and it breathes round the seal.

Tanks don't drain down equally because I've got it set up to connect to 2xflexi tanks and a plastic tank at once-so when the flexitanks are empty I just open the breather screw on the plastic tank. The flexitanks drain equally though.
It works quite well-I only have to start physically switching connectors over after using 70l-and then it's all hooked up again to the other 2 flexi tanks and the 2nd plastic one-or I can hotswap it without any danger of the fuel pump sucking on vacuum.

Downhilldai · 04 February 2008, 18:18

You can get a Lucas/CAV one from a Diesel specialist for around £20 and replacement filter elements only cost around £2 apiece, but some of the parts are prone to corrode when splashed with seawater. Won't affect its function though.

Tomas · 06 February 2008, 13:15

I consider my Racor filter an essential piece of gear. Once I leave the harbor, an engine outage could set me up for a two to three week drift downrange. Don't leave home without it.....as they say!

MustRib · 06 February 2008, 16:42

sold then... sounds like everyone uses one....
thanks