Changing a Racor & Some Catalina Rants :)

Jon W · April 11, 2016, 06:00:57 PM

I plan to change my Racor fuel filter this weekend. Although I can see the shutoff valve on top of the fuel tank from the head sink door, it is conveniently to far away to reach. The engine will not have been run since last weekend.

If the valve is left open when changing the filter, will fuel siphon from the tank? or Will only the small amount of fuel in the few feet of hose between the tank and filter flow out? I'd prefer not to close the valve on the tank, but don't want to end up with a continuous stream of diesel. Thanks for the help.

Jon W.

Dave Spencer · April 11, 2016, 06:13:28 PM

It will siphon. You'll need to close the valve.

Noah · April 11, 2016, 06:41:37 PM

Jon, on my boat I can reach the valve through a beckson port on in the port cockpit locker.

jmcdonald · April 11, 2016, 07:00:43 PM

I cut a hole in the bulkhead in the aft stateroom, and covered it with a Bomar access hatch.
Just pop open the hatch and you can see and reach the fuel tank shut off,easily work
on the pick up, and fuel gauge sending unit. Really handy in a emergency, if you have to
shut off the fuel tank. If you cut a access hole, be careful to use a very short blade. You
only have a couple of inches til you hit the side of the tank.

KWKloeber · April 11, 2016, 07:51:44 PM

Quote from: Jon W on April 11, 2016, 06:00:57 PM
I plan to change my Racor fuel filter this weekend. Although I can see the shutoff valve on top of the fuel tank from the head sink door, it is conveniently to far away to reach. The engine will not have been run since last weekend.

If the valve is left open when changing the filter, will fuel siphon from the tank? or Will only the small amount of fuel in the few feet of hose between the tank and filter flow out? I'd prefer not to close the valve on the tank, but don't want to end up with a continuous stream of diesel. Thanks for the help.

Jon W.

Oftentimes when needing to disconnect a loaded hose, i pinch it off with a flat-face "vice-grip" (apologies for the trademark infraction.) There's locking pliers made especially for pinching off hoses (they have rounded faces to there's no possible damage to the hose.)

kk

Jon W · April 11, 2016, 08:35:34 PM

I'll try the beckson plate in the port lazarette, if too awkward to get in and get my arm in there, I'll remove the panel in the aft cabin for access to the tank. Sounds like figuring out how to add a shutoff valve under the head sink might make it to the next project list. Thanks for the help.

Jon W.

Noah · April 11, 2016, 09:38:18 PM

I like the idea of adding another inspection plate to the aft cabin portside bulkhead. Saves removing gear and climbing into locker (again!). I'll add it to my project list. best to do it with bulkhead out of boat with a hole saw. Jon, I have the correct hole saw(s) if you want to borrow.

mark_53 · April 11, 2016, 10:09:16 PM

Quote from: Noah on April 11, 2016, 09:38:18 PM
I like the idea of adding another inspection plate to the aft cabin portside bulkhead. Saves removing gear and climbing into locker (again!). I'll add it to my project list. best to do it with bulkhead out of boat with a hole saw. Jon, I have the correct hole saw(s) if you want to borrow.

Or, since that aft cabin is often used as a garage, just leave the bulked off until time to sell the boat.

jmcdonald · April 11, 2016, 10:33:20 PM

I had no problem cutting the access hole for the hatch in the Balkhead with it in place.
No need to remove. I used a saber saw, and just cut the blade so that it was only
about 1/2 long on the up stroke. The Bomer hatch covers give you about a 10" square hole"
to work in. Really makes accessing the tank easy and looks like it came with the boat.
John

Ken Juul · April 12, 2016, 06:31:39 AM

So much easier to just add an in line shut off valve under the head sink just prior to the racor.

Jon W · April 12, 2016, 06:49:04 AM

That's what I'm thinking too. Then everything is right where you're working. Also considering the idea of adding a second Racor so when cruising if one clogs I can switch to the back-up. The fuel system work is a ways off so have time to decide if a second filter is worth the expense. Jon W.

KWKloeber · April 12, 2016, 06:57:59 AM

Quote from: Jon W on April 12, 2016, 06:49:04 AM
That's what I'm thinking too. Then everything is right where you're working. Also considering the idea of adding a second Racor so when cruising if one clogs I can switch to the back-up. The fuel system work is a ways off so have time to decide if a second filter is worth the expense. Jon W.

If I were going to spend the money and time on installing a second filter (for a backup -- JTSO, very much unnecessary and would never be used unless you're VERY careless about fuel and treatment,) I would instead make it a polishing system. At least you're going to get some good out of the effort. Just TSO.

ken

Jon W · April 12, 2016, 07:09:45 AM

The idea of a second Racor came from being hooked on watching sailing videos. A consistent problem cruisers experience is clogged filters after sailing in open/rough water. Then there is tired faces and fuel spills after trying to change their single filter while underway. With two, you can switch to the back-up and change the filter under calmer conditions. Just something I'm considering at this point.

Is a fuel polishing system a small micron filter before the primary?

Jon W.

KWKloeber · April 12, 2016, 07:52:52 AM

Quote from: Jon W on April 12, 2016, 07:09:45 AM
The idea of a second Racor came from being hooked on watching sailing videos. A consistent problem cruisers experience is clogged filters after sailing in open/rough water. Then there is tired faces and fuel spills after trying to change their single filter while underway. With two, you can switch to the back-up and change the filter under calmer conditions. Just something I'm considering at this point.

Is a fuel polishing system a small micron filter before the primary?

Jon W.

My point is if you don't have crap in your tank, you can't foul the filter. How many times do sailors (anyone really) have to get themselves out of "fixes" because they let themselves get in the fix in the first place!

A polisher needs a continuous flow -- so a second pump and filter (parallel continuous circuit.) Actually leaving the fuel bleed open is the most rudimentary polishing you could have -- there's always flow there above what would normally go to the injector pump (but of course then it's thru the primary filter.)

See Mainsail's site -- RC has a write up on installing a polishing system.

kk

Ed Shankle · April 12, 2016, 09:51:47 AM

Agree with Ken, sure seems like an easier fix to install a shut off under the sink. That's what I did when I replaced my tank. Having it that convenient makes it easier to use more often, like when your going to be away from the boat for a week or two. Agree, it doesn't help with the sender replacement challenge, but that isn't as urgent as wanting to replace your Racor sooner rather than later.

Ed