[C320-list] Fuel Filters

[Scott Lagerquist]

I can't find anything that officially rates the Perkins fuel filters at 2 micron either.  The Baldwin BF954 is the only one I found that has a 2 micron rating.  Does anyone know the micron rating of the Perkins filters?   I will likely buy the Baldwin filter and switch mine out.  I agree that quality clean fuel is a must.  I do the same thing as Warren and buy from the gas station 5 gallons at a time.  On my previous boat (1981 Catalina 30 with a Universal M3-20b Diesel engine) I found myself in heavy seas years ago heading to Ensenada Mexico and clogged my primary filter (rated at 2 microns) due to sludge from the bottom of the tank getting mixed into the fuel that was swirling around.  I ended up changing to a 30 micron primary filter and a ten micron secondary filter and never experienced the problem again.  On my Catalina 320 I decided to go with a ten micron primary filter and a 2 micron secondary filter.  Based on all of the great advice on this site it's the combination I feel comfortable with for me.  
Regards,
Scott Lagerquist
Catalina 320 "Sea Esta" #39
Fiddler's Cove
San Diego CA

Sent from my iPad

> On Dec 16, 2016, at 1:01 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> No where could I find the volumetric filtering capacity for the Perkins fuel filter. But note: Perkins fuel filter 130366120 replaces 130366020? since 18/07/2003.
> I've purchased Perkins parts from www.tadiesels.com/ in VA with good results. They have a technician that is very familiar with the M30. There are numerous Perkins dealers around the country that can get parts.
> For major parts like coolant pump, exhaust elbow, etc. there are better sources. I recently bought an exhaust elbow from WellandPower support at wellandpower.zendesk.com in merry old England for substantially less than in USA. Use PayPal for the currency exchange. The process was easy, and the part was here quickly. 
> 
> As for fuel filters I've heard it said to choose based on the quality of fuel you buy. If your source sells a lot of diesel and services commercial customers, more than likely it will be clean fuel. Some people use a hand filter at the deck each time - a real pain. I choose to buy fuel at gas stations using a 5 gal jerry can. It's no more bother than getting to a fuel dock.
> 
> Warren and Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Guy Smith [mailto:smitski2001 at yahoo.com] 
> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2016 1:31 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Fuel Filters
> 
> Does anyone know what the requirement is? I would guess it would be based on the injector orifice size that would require  a curtain size filter?For instance, if the injector supported any particulate smaller than 10 microns, seems like overkill to filter down to 2 microns. Seems like you would run the risk of plugging up the 2 micron filter more often.Or maybe there are other concerns in the fuel system.
> Just a curious engineering mind... ;-)
> Happy Holidays everyone!~g
> 
> Guy & Liz Smithsv Pleiades C320 #452Worton Creek, MD
> 
>      From: Mark Cole <boatnboot at q.com>
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com 
> Sent: Friday, December 16, 2016 1:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Post to lists
> 
>> Thanks for the comment on fuel filters, Scott.  I am wrestling with the same issue.  When I got my boat, the Racor had a 2 micron element on it and the on-engine filter was the Napa 3386 10 micron filter.  In my mind, the filtering process should be reversed, with the course filter on the Racor and the finer filter on the engine.  I’ve changed the Racor to a 10 micron filter but haven’t been able to find a 2 micron that will mount on the M30.  Where do you get your 2 micron filters?
>> 
>> Mark Cole
>> Fiddler’s Green, #8
> 
> 
>> Tacoma, WAOn Dec 15, 2016, at 5:10 PM, Scott Lagerquist <lgrqst at aol.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Thanks Warren and Pattie.  My location is Fiddler's Cove in San Diego CA.  One of the reasons I wanted to post was to share information concerning the Perkins M30 fuel filter.  I noticed the Napa fuel filter 3386 was cross referenced and the filter fits on the engine however; the filter is rated as a ten micron filter vice the 2 micron Rating most owners use as a secondary filter.  I changed the primary Racor filter to a ten micron and used a Perkins 2 micron filter as the secondary filter on the engine.  I believe the ten micron filter will work fine but thought I'd share that it is not a 2 micron filter.  
>> Regards,
>> Scott and Melissa Lagerquist
>> "Sea Esta" #39
>> Fiddler's Cove
>> San Diego CA
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> 
>>> On Dec 10, 2016, at 12:23 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> You just did!
>>> I suggest you add your location to your signature. Sometimes, knowing where you live and sail (warm or cold winters, salt or fresh water) can make a difference in the advice you get.
>>> Welcome to the list.
>>> 
>>> Warren and Pattie Updike
>>> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
>>> Middle River, Chesapeake Bay
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Scott Lagerquist [mailto:lgrqst at aol.com] 
>>> Sent: Saturday, December 10, 2016 12:31 PM
>>> To: C320-list at catalina320.com
>>> Subject: [C320-list] Post to lists
>>> 
>>> I would like to be able to post on the C320-list.  Please let me know what is needed to do so.
>>> 
>>> Thank you.
>>> 
>>> Regards,
>>> Scott Lagerquist
>>> "Sea Esta" #39
>>> Lgrqst at aol.com
>>> 
>>> Sent from my iPad
>>> 
>> 
> 
> 
>