I called Catalina re fuel and oil filters the other day... they referred me to Hansen's Marine here in the NE... they send me the two filters I needed for the M25 engine ('86 Cat 34 vintage). Question. In reviewing posts and notes on this site before getting into the filter change a second fuel filter was mentioned beside the U298854 fuel filter... my wrench could not locate a second filter. Would it have been an after market add on? He has been all over that engine and system because he replaced my electrical harness as well and he does not recall a second fuel filter. Are we missing something?
Mark,
There are two filters. One is on your engine, it's on the port side of your engine, low down. If you open the door to the oil dipstick and look aft, you'll see it. We call it the secondary or engine mounted filter.
The primary filter, usually a Racor, is under your head sink.
Stu,
My oil dipstick and fuel filter is on the starboard side of the engine. Are you looking at yours backwards??
Ralph
Mark : Look at your M25 engine owners manual. There is a picture that shows the engine (10/15 micron) fuel filter on the starboard side of your engine.
If you look under your head sink you'll find the Racor (2 or 10 micron) fuel filter.
If you had looked at our web site you would have found equivilant filters (oil & fuel) that are 1/2 the price of the Universal and can be purchased at a local auto store. I posted those 20+ yeras ago!! A few thoughts
Quote from: SD Diver on September 17, 2012, 03:41:20 PM
Stu,
My oil dipstick and fuel filter is on the starboard side of the engine. Are you looking at yours backwards??
Ralph
:cry4`
I blew it.
STARBOARD side
:sleepy:
Quote from: Ron Hill on September 17, 2012, 04:10:16 PM
Mark :
...web site you would have found equivalent filters (oil & fuel) that are 1/2 the price of the Universal and can be purchased at a local auto store. I posted those 20+ years ago!! A few thoughts
The C34 Tech wiki is a very handy tool.
Like this:
http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Replacement_Filters,_Belts,_and_Lubricants (http://www.c34.org/wiki/index.php?title=Replacement_Filters,_Belts,_and_Lubricants)
Mark
You can get all three filters at Napa in Newfane. The Racor takes Napa 1132. My other cross refs are in my manual or I'd give you the two numbers here. The engine fuel filter is screwed into the bottom of the injector pump. Maybe yours is like mine... original! I replaced it for the first time in 2010, it was still painted the same color as the block. Which may be why you can't find it.
Dan
Good source for filters and parts at good prices.
http://www.marinepartssource.com/index.asp
Thanks Boys... you are tough task masters!!! It was the raycor in the head we forgot. Stu when I do a "search" on fuel filters for example I don't get that link you put up... ??
Mark
Mark,
If you are using the forum search tool, you won't find the link Stu posted. Scroll to the top and pick the "Tech Wiki". Different database. Lots of good stuff in there.
Mark,
The Quick Guide to this website is a "sticky" which describes how to use the website
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5260.0.html (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5260.0.html)
The filter that is under my head is a Dahl 60... just talked with my wrench and we are leaving it alone until the boat is on the hard in a couple of weeks then we will change out the element... they offer either a 2 or 10 micron element ... what do you guys suggest?
Mark
Guys : Sorry, I forgot that most of the 1986 and some of the 1987 C34s can from the factory with a Dahl not a Racor filter!!
Ron,
Since we are talking about the Dahl Primary fuel filter/water separator, if it is working fine, should we leave well enough alone? I have a Dahl. After reading all of the posts, I was wondering if I should at some point replace the Dahl with a Racor. Or should I simply add a Racor before the fuel pump, and then keep the dahl after the fuel pump? Currently my fuel lines go from my tank to the fuel pump, through the Dahl primary then to the engine secondary. This was the factory set-up. After six years, I have never had an issue with this set-up. But now I know too much and lay awake at night dreaming about whether or not to add this project to my exhisting list. If I re-route the fuel lines to the primary filter first, should I replace the Dahl with a Racor? Or can I keep the Dahl and do the same? Is there a reason to switch to a Racor? :shock:
Les : As I recall the Dahl has a replaceable inside filter element which is as good, but cheaper than the Racor.
If you are happy with what you've got I would not change it!! My thought
Ron is right the Dahl has a replaceable element ... I intend to replace it with the "61-W Filter Element" which is the 10 micron filter. Cost from Associated Diesel Inc. $14.92 on line.
This weekend I changed my fuel filters and cleaned the screen in the Facet electric fuel pump, which was pretty clean. I spoke with some of my mechanic boating friends and they said the same thing, that the Dahl does the same thing as the Racor, equally as good, so they all recommended that I should keep the Dahl is everything is working well. Although, I will replump the lines from the tank to the Dahl then to the fuel pump. Thanks for your confirmation of what I was already thinking. There are enough things for me to spend my boat bucks on!
After some reading I am going with the 10 micron filter element... under $15 from Associated Diesel....
Mark
Just as a reminder, fuel filters, such as the racor, should be mounted on the suction side of pumps. The standard gauge that you can install on a racor filter is a vacuum gauge. If a fule filter is under pressure and has a gasket fail it can spray atomized fuel onto hot surfaces and cause a fire/explosion hazard. If they are under vacuum, as designed, and have a leak they will suck in air and the engine will die.
Your boat, your choice
Ralph