[C320-list] Seeking tip on fuel filter

[Jack Brennan]

Hi all:

A final word and warning to everyone who has one of these Racor 215 fuel 
filters and hasn't changed it in years.

I managed to get the bowl off the old cartridge, but nothing -- not PB 
Blaster, pipe wrenches, a vice, etc. -- could budge the filter from the 
aluminum top of the assembly.

My educated guess is that the aluminum top and the steel or aluminum (?) 
insides of the filter welded themselves together over the years. If I did 
manage to free them, I would probably distort the cap and end up with 
chronic leaks anyway.

A key clue is that the printing is very faded on the fuel filter. It has to 
be at least 10 years old, and my guess would be more than that. Regular 
filter changes would prevent the welding from becoming serious.

Another interesting note is that it was a 2 micron filter. Two different 
Yanmar guys told me this is way too fine. Not only would it clog quickly if 
you have any dirt at all in the tank, but it's difficult for the lift pump 
to pull diesel through it, they said.

The Yanmar filter on the engine is 10 microns. That's also what I ordered 
for the new primary filter.

So, be warned if you haven't changed the fuel filters in years. It isn't 
going to come off easy when it clogs, so you might as well go through this 
ordeal at the dock instead of at sea.


Jack Brennan
Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
Tierra Verde, Fl.
Dolphin Cruising Club of Tampa Bay





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