[C320-list] Seeking tip on fuel filter

[Bruce Hunter]

I just installed a  new Racor this week that I've been carrying around for a year or so. My old one leaked down at the plastic drain and I just silicone everything down there until I got around to replacing it. I ordered mine online, can't remember who from but it was a lesser known place. As far as filter microns go with 10, mine had a 2 micron when we bought it but I was told at Marine Diesel Class (Annapolis School Of Seamanship) that 2 micron before the lift pump could put too much wear on the pump, Catalina also stopped installing the 2 micron filters and moved down to 10 (I think). I also put a fuel valve down at my new Racor which required me to reroute the line from the tank since I felt that sharp bend was too much. Anyway, good luck!
Hey Warren Updike! My dock neighbor is an old acquaintance of yours...John Kikka, he's just finishing up his tour as Commadore of the Bodkin Yact Club! 
Bruce HunterNauti Time #719

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android 
 
  On Thu, Sep 20, 2018 at 5:51 PM, John Morrison<sail-ability at sympatico.ca> wrote:   R U sure it’s screwed on and not bolted, checked to see online?
JEM
1999#574

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 20, 2018, at 3:13 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Other than buying an entire new holder & filter unit, were it me, I would remove the whole thing and take it home. There I would try to remove the plastic section on the bottom. Then, perhaps, lay it on its side and apply a Blast-It type lubricant on the joint between the filter and holder. Tap firmly around the joint and apply more lube every 2-3 hours. Each time, using a strap wrench or even a pipe wrench on the filter canister, try to turn the filter. Worse case is you can cut the filter open and pry it off the holder. 
> Once off, clean all the meeting surfaces to remove all material. Then you should be able to install a new filter. Remember to lube the gaskets with clean fuel before attaching. These are to be only hand tight. 
> 
> Now for the other matter, 20 years, never changed??? How many hours on this engine? I can't wrap my brain around that span. You better plan on changing the secondary filter as well. If there are more than 500 hrs on the engine, you should plan on adjusting the valves and servicing the injectors.
> 
> Warren and Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
> Middle River, MD (Chesapeake Bay)
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jack Brennan [mailto:jackbrennan at bellsouth.net] 
> Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2018 3:49 PM
> To: C320-list at catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Seeking tip on fuel filter
> 
> The latest challenge on my new-to-me 320 is the fuel filter, believe it or not.
> 
> It is a Racor 215 series, probably stock, with the twist-on filter. If it has ever been changed in 20 years, it has not been for a long time. I have tried everything to separate the filter from the cap.
> 
> Bare hands. A filter wrench. Other wrenches. Nothing works. It’s like it was super-glued together.
> 
> I’m thinking I may need to buy a new one online (of course, there are none locally). But I’m wondering whether anyone has a tip for me to solve this puzzle.
> 
> Thanks in advance.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320, No. 528
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>