How to avoid clogged fuel filters - Wooden boat restoration - Boat Refit - Travels With Geordie
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- This week I explain an approach to detect and avoid clogged fuel filters
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Travels With Geordie. A weekly video series about wooden boat restoration and liveaboard life for Peter Knowles and his dog, Geordie.
My day job is design and 3D visualization of custom homes.
If you're interested,...bit.ly/2AGi1wH
Some viewers may be interested in some previous videos about Land Rovers. They're at my previous channel, Riverport Rovers.
bit.ly/2Bm7IOW
Here is the build series about my truck. A rather modified Series II Land Rover.
bit.ly/2ziYQbv
I rather silly build and road trip to the famous Land Rover Winter Romp in Maine.
bit.ly/2zjtPUW
A slightly less silly road trip to Cape Breton that does involve painting flames on a Land Rover.
bit.ly/2KlEKBx
The series that started it all. A crazy plan to build a Land Rover in one day from assorted bits lying around.
bit.ly/2Qa9rPD
There's a few other videos that might be of interest at Riverport Rovers including the beginning of a Boler trailer refit.
Feel free to drop us a line at...
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geordie@travelswithgeordie.com
Love the guiness and Pabst
Yes it would be fun I belong to the Wooden boat forum and we have lots of discussions one of them was on zephyrus and they know who owned it anyway I would love to share some photos of boats that I found with you hope your summer cruises are blessed and those pesky leeks are sealed for now!!! Still I would love to come help rebuild your roofs on both cabins!!! Sweet cruising and Cheers!!!
I have to same model Racor filters in my boat. Been about 5 years and I’m very happy with them. I see virtually no vacuum on the gauge even when the filters begin to get clogged. Also, the supplier where I bought the filters cautioned me NOT to use Teflon tape as the diesel softens it over time. I also think I read this in Nigel Caulders Diesel maintenance book. Just saying!
BTW, when i bleed the diesellines in my friends boat, i found that a vacuum pump used in car oilchange is the best tool, step 1 replace filter,step 2 open the bleed hole in top of the filter, step 3 (also 4) suck 0.5l-1l of diesel thru and close the bleed hole. Don´t try to crank the engine in between!! wörks 5/5! i recommend
Damn good idea!
The sea foam was really a good old IPA.....after drinking one ......things just seem to run smoother. U are one clever dude.
Heh, you figured me out!
I agree the most intelligent man on the web, beer always makes things run more smoothly. Awesome job buddy.Rossco
A pressure gauge may have been better than a vacuum especially if you want something to look at. I use a pwm controlled pump so i can adjust my fuel pressure to optimum feed pressure which in my case is 9psi at sea level.
This suggestion may have been mentioned elsewhere but when I'm doing this sort of stuff I use a few disposable nappies/diapers under the filter bowl, they soak up a whole load and have some sort of plastic backing that prevents 'soak through'.
In one breath, you say you hate diesels...but in the next you're singing praises for your Perkins (I'm right there with you)
I LOVE diesels. They last a lifetime, and are so much safer and are far more reliable over their counterparts, the gasoline engine.
Plus, you can run damn near any kind of fuel you want in 'em too.
The only negatives I see are they are a bit noisier, and (if one doesn't like it), are smellier.
These little Perkins, and the Ford Lehmans are phenomenal mils for a cruising boat.
oh, and You Bet!! I'd love to see a segment or two with a live stream.
Keep up the good work, and scratch the pup's ear for us!
It's the liability of diesel I hate.
As a fuel, and diesel engines I love.
Sea foam is some good stuff I had a 1989 Ford Explorer with 300,000 miles on it and it made it run a hole lot better.
I'm constantly amazed at what it can do.
Hey Peter. I use the Sea Foam as well for gasoline carburetors only. For diesels I use another product as per instructions on the container, primarily for water freeze protection in the winter. Regarding adding to your diesel filters means that a very high concentration (a slug) of Sea Foam will travel through the diesel fuel pump. That it not a good idea as the Sea Foam is not a good lubricant and will compromise the lubricity of the pumped diesel fluid. It may not harm the fuel injectors but it is highly likely that it will harm the Injector Pump. Best to not go there.
Thanks, I’ll look into it. I understood it was common practice.
I do excavation work you just learn to love glorious diesel 👍👍
It's a job requirement isn't it?
I got diesel poisoning crawling around a diesel flooded engine room looking for a lost injector pump bleed screw! (Someone forgot to tighten it at all and it vibrated out!) 30 years later I am still affected by both fumes and contact from diesel! I agree Pete, it's awful! Don't spill it! Bloody hell the Sea Foam therapy was quick!
Heh, I might have to acknowledge a bit of positive thinking. It sure SEEMS to have a positive effect though!
Man, that Perkins sounds great!
Doesn't it!
Great job! it would be interesting to run it out in the open some time when it starts clogging and see at what point the engine would stall! Then you'd know when you have to change it for sure!
I considered doing exactly that at the dock with the fuel valve closed, just to see at what vacuum the engine would die. I just didn't want to stress test the fuel pump.
Live streams are great. Good fun too.
Thanks, might just try one.
Peter, Racor puts their vacuum gauges in the top of the filter housing in place of the T-handle. Every vacuum monitoring system I have seen on a marine diesel put s the gauge there. Try moving the connection to the top of the Racor, or buy a Racor vacuum gauge and install it to see what the vacuum is there. With the gauge mounted at the top of the racor it will have air in it and will work better. Of course the solution to a clogging filter is just to plumb your filters so you can switch filters if your engine starts to drop rpms or stumble (sure signs of fuel starvation). I have my two racors set up so I can draw from either tank to either filter, return to whichever tank I want and change filters on the fly. No problems unless to set the return to the wrong tank (don't ask how I know that).
The top, T handle port is the same as the outlet port so that's not an issue, I didn't want an extra line fouling the T bar during servicing. It's just than clean filters create less than an inch of mercury. Both our boats have duel filters in much the same way you do, I just wanted the peace of mind of seeing at a glance the status of the filter.
I've always worried about leaving the return on the wrong (full) tank!
@@TravelsWithGeordie The difference is that the t-handle port is generally above the fluid level so the gauge sees changes in the fluid level in the top of the racor as changes in air pressure. If you start with an almost completely full fuel filter, even a small drop in the fluid level will show up as a significant vacuum. I doubt your lift pump can pull more than 5-6" of mercury (equivalent to lifting diesel 6-7'). You will need a much more sensitive vacuum gauge.
just point of interest inline water filter used on most diesel vehicles. enjoy you videos from Vung Tau Vietnam
The Racors have water traps.
@@TravelsWithGeordie does the land rover have a water trap ?
Give Fuel Right a try. It dissolves sludge and keeps your fuel clean. I use it and it’s awesome. You can get it at Lordco in Victoria.
Splendid, I'll check it out.
Very interesting Peter... Some really useful information and very easy to understand, not too bothered about streaming, I have viewed some streams from gaming guys here and it kinda went over my head but some of your other viewers may enjoy it :)
Thanks Andrew. From early results there certainly isn't an overwhelming interest in streaming.
I like Diesel. I like the smell both burned and liquid or vapors. I like the safety, It really gets stuff clean, it is magic :-) But yes spilling is not good.
I do love the safety, good point, and the simplicity.
As Todd Dunn pointed out, it can make a difference in inches of mercury if placed between the tank you have selected and the top side of the filters. Although your method will work. The gauge is the difference for something more more sensitive. They sell gauges for measuring inches of water. Not as common but used in setting natural gas or propane regulators at very low pressure. It is much easier to life a column of water to measure low pressures, but not usually set up to measure the vacuum side.
The yellow “Gas Pipe” tape is usually allowed on black gas pipe with cut threads. Using the brass fitting, the thread a rolled and very smooth. White Teflon thread tape is used in those applications. In the states, blue dye is added to gas pipe dope for inspection. No tape allowed in most situations.
I believe that 10 inches of water vacuum is equal to 1” of mercury vacuum. Perhaps I am wrong, but the answer can be found online today, rather than going to a library or asking a seasoned HVAC Tech. Just food for thought!
Great info. I've been searching for a vacuum gauge that's more suitable. I'll keep at it.
I drove a million and a half miles over the road in a truck, even with a 650 hp Cat 3406E grossed out at 153,500 lbs, it would not show any vacuum on the gauge unless the filters were old. You are absolutely right though, that gauge is vital and will save your ass by telling you before the engine quits!
It will certainly give me piece of mind in rolly seas when there is risk of disturbing crud in the tanks.
@@TravelsWithGeordie Another thought for you, I am putting a 2nd Raycor on mine, that will be fed with an electric pump and then go right back into the tank, this way I can kick that pump on and polish the fuel before it gets into the line headed for the engine.
When I was a Motorcycle Mechanic and Auto Mechanic I disliked diesel fuel completely. Now that I own and operate an Excavating Company and have many Tier 4 diesels, I cannot get rid of gas engines fast enough. Cannot stand the smell of gasoline or the exhaust of gas engines. Your new forthcoming Kubota re-power will change you. It will not smell like the old Perkins at all. You would have to blow the Kubota exhaust into your craft to detect any slight smell.
I’ve heard that 80 - 90% of engine wear comes from cold starts. Have you ever heard about this and would you consider an oil pump to pre lubricate? You should do live streams. It helps people feel more connected to your project. 👍👍👍 Thanks!
Prelube pump, Ya!
instablaster
Have been wondering how your back is I’ve had quite a time with mine and considering what you have to accomplish well be careful and cheers ...jim
A filter for the inlet of the fuel tank will reduce the amount of crud you have in your filters and tanks. Differential gauges are a better thing as they will give you the information about the cleanliness of your filters. that would require you to have your first pump before the filters.
The red goop does well with either gas or diesel.
Do you mean inlet as in the filler? Filter while filling?
Differential makes good sense but I think just measuring on the vacuum side tells me everything I need. Good to know red goop is good. Thanks!
Love your videos and admire the work you do. Noticed in this video that two wire connections in the bilge are using house hold twist wire nuts. This is a very poor choice on a boat especially in a saltwater marine environment. A much better solution is either heat shrink crimped butt connectors or proper wire end connectors and a marine rated terminal strip.
Heh, very true, I figured a few would catch that. The whole water pump / filter setup is temporary. Once finalized it will certainly be wired up properly like the rest of the boat.
Cheers!👍🍺
As usual, awesome show....
Thanks again Richard!
Tank, racore, vacumme gage, elect ( monster truck pump ) diesel pump, motor standard injector.
The addition of the electric monster truck pump will allow 3 things #1 pressure prime system and injectors pushing out air ,no cracking lose injectors needed, in case of running system dry or after changing filters, #2 run electric pump to allow for additional pressure feed in case of semi plugged filters allowing you to limp into dock ( to avoid or buy some time, prior to open water mid trip filter change ) #3 run electrical pump when extra hoursepower needed i.e. tugboat races, or fighting against a conflicting bar current.
Good point. On my boat I have the electric pump before the Racor and some additional valves to do some fuel polishing and refill the Racor after changing the filter. Tugboat races?!? Hmmm I like that.
You be better to pull through racore , not push through.. Yes antique tugboat races. OLYMPIA HARBOR DAYS LABOR DAY , OLYMPIA WASHINGTON USA, you can Google it or UA-cam search it's a hoot
I played in the diesel for 45 years. Have a real hate for it now. I get contact dermatitis from it now, good thing I retired. The last 10 years I had to wear gloves when in the diesel or my hands would just break out.
But having said that, I am a diesel freak, love the power. Have a diesel in my pick up, 98 chevy. If that isn't dedication I don't know what is.
Costco has a great deal on Nitrile gloves if you have to get your hands into it.
As far as the Racor filters go, they are the best.
If you haven't done it yet, check into getting the complete rebuild kit and take the complete housing apart for a good cleaning. If you have the housing number they are easy to get. Next service maybe. Good thing to do if you have no idea about the last time they were done.
Racor also has different ratings for their filters, the different colors are different micron ratings. I just remember orange, blue and brown. If you get too fine of a rating, they plug up too easy but you never have to change the engine fuel filters.
Also regarding racor filters, never use something like Brakeclean to clean them. If it is a chlorinated brake clean it will react with the poly-carbonate bowl and fog it up. Enough exposure and the poly will turn brittle. (ask me how I know, darn apprentices when I wasn't looking)
We used to use old liquid laundry soap containers (well cleaned out), the ones with the built in spout, to prime our fuel filters with. Nice spout for pouring, would hold a goodly amount of fuel. Just had to mark it really well that it was diesel and not soap LOL. We had all the proper WHIMS stickers on ours since it was at work.
The only other thing that I would recommend would be to give the fuel tanks a shot of biocide one a year or so. In a marine environment it is so easy to have something growing in the tank.
Next. The quick coupler for the vacuum line. Throw it away and get the proper compression type for plastic lines. Those push on ones are great but they will leak. Not sure about vacuum but the ones we used for air brakes all leaked. The hose itself is awesome, no issues there.
I used to use soapy water and spray down all the air lines on our trucks when I serviced them, the amount of leaking fittings was amazing, to the point that the truck would not pass the air test sometimes.
And the beer of the week.
Must go find that one. Love the cask beers. Mmmmmmmmmm.
Just sat down and had a nice 4 Mile brewing Grapefruit IPA.
Very nice if you like that kind of thing.
Some great advice there Brian. I don't trust the quick connects either, will be replacing with proper compression units.
I might say hi in a live stream.
Then we'll see you there!
Min 20:47 and pg 179 🍻
I have seen first hand what exploding gasoline engines do in boats. I would not have anything but a diesel in a boat. Guy had a stuck needle and seat. BOOM, lucky he lived.
That's a good point. I certainly don't prefer gasoline to diesel. I'm very grateful for diesel, just don't like the liabilities.
@@TravelsWithGeordie What kind of " Liabilities " Just curious. I have had boats with gasser engines. I had a 292 chevy, and a 350 chevy. I prefer the diesels. I had your old motor ( T6-354M ) perkins for a while, ran a 6D16 Mitsubishi for a while, and now run a QSB 5.9 cummins. My Mitsu had over 15k hours when pulled and was a strong runner still, just corrosion was eating it up. Looked like an old rusty mooring.
@@TravelsWithGeordie Diesel fuel will last for years in storage vs only a few short months for gasoline not to mention the evils of ethanol.
interesting, i run a landrover 110 witha perkins mazda 3.5 turbo intercooled, regarded as the engine landrover should have used, my other life is construction of timber frame buildings (pegged) have a look at FB page "Greenwood Futures" you may find it interesting. The main ethos has been to transport everything to cut frames on a LR 110 and trailer, now i also run a transportable woodmizer lt40hd, love your channel well done!
Neat, I'm also a Land Rover driving Timber framer!
@steve king, Isn't that the engine that the Australian military use in their Land Rovers ? or am I thinking of Isuzu ?
Another good one, scratch Geordie's ear again, see you next week.
Thanks again Milt. Will do.
One company says fuel filter gauge is a low pressure gauge and it's 0-15. But the market out there sells them all the way to 100. And a fortune for them too. Digital to idiot lights. Commercial diesel does use them to know when to change their fuel filters so their engines run as nice as yours.
I;m looking for a 10 in/hg unit which I think would be ideal for fuel monitoring.
@@TravelsWithGeordie Sounds ideal. Good luck on a dash mount find.
I would enjoy a livestream. Just lets us know in advance.
Thanks Will, I certainly will.
Vacuum should read between 0 and 3 when filter is good. 7 and above should be replaced
Seems to be the consensus. That's why I would love a 10 in/hg gauge.
I suppose different fuel systems would give different levels of vacuum or even positive pressure, my fishing boat with a full tank gives positive pressure right up to lift pump with clean filters as the lift pump is lower than the fuel level
That's interesting. Something to think about.
diesel is awesome!! i call heresy! :D
Heh, fair enough, I accept it's a splendid fuel for boats. Just don't like it as a liability.
Walk the wire by Dave balducci pg 204... hard copy
Do you need a funnel?
Heh, that would be too easy.
Ok that project is done now get those wire nuts out of there and use some crimp fittings with some heat shrink. Shaving cream works great for getting deisel smell off your hands.
Heh, very true, I figured a few would catch that. The whole water pump / filter setup is temporary. Once finalized it will certainly be wired up properly like the rest of the boat.
I cringed when you tightened the fitting into the vacuum gauge. Next time have a backing spanner on the nut on the gauge casing (that's what it's for) before tightening the fitting. You're likely to bend the gauge bourdon tube/internal mechanism otherwise.
DAMN GOOD POINT! Geez, my dad would have lost it. Instrument re builder all his life. I know better.
You would be correct good eye
Novice question...how did you avoid getting air in your system and having to bleed the fuel lines? Just by filling the bowl before re-installing? Can you get air in the system anyway?
Great question, by being very careful with the hose to the lift pump when I had it off and filling the filters full before restarting there is little chance of introducing air.
Also most fuel pumps that are mounted on the engine have a manual lever that you push repeatedly and will purge the Air thru to the fuel tank.
Zero vacuum = clean filters,
7 bar vacuum = filters getting plugged,
10 bar vacuum = time to change filters
just a hint - you can't draw more than 1 bar of vacuum.
Inches of merc..
That's about what I figured, that's why I'd prefer a 0 - 10 in/hg gauge.
-0,4 bar it is time to change the filter
-0,1 bar is normal with the big racor filter
But you have just tripled the number of fittings on the suction side of the pump, AND by running that fuel line up to the console you have introduced a permanent vacuum at the guage end. While you might feel better at being able to read that vacuum directly, the engine acutally is in a more vulnerable state now, as any air introduced will be an instant and complete engine failure with no aparent reason. Some good ideas aren't better.
Thanks Steve, good points. I think with care and diligence the benefit out weighs the risk. I'm going to add a shutoff valve at the Tee to exclude the entire vacuum system in case of trouble.
@@TravelsWithGeordie Make sure the injector pump is on the lower side of the needle valve - not the gland packing end. In the end, I like your idea of the twin system, and THEN have the guage directly on the filtration unit and make it part of your regular checklist - double redundant and nothing to go wrong then, and it requires you to get your head under the hood with checklist in hand - a good thing! Thanks for making boat vids! :)
Next time transfer fuel from milk bottle to filter with a glass turkey baster.
Damn good idea!
But, the turkey was basting the filters.......
Just joking!
WHY do you hate diesel? it`s a lubricant that helps lubricate the diesel engines, that`s why diesel engines last much longer than gas or petrol engines, also it`s much less flammable than gas or petrol, which is a good thing especially on a boat.
wire nuts on a boat? NO!!! Someone should learn to trim zip ties... Why not use a vacuum sending unit and an electric gauge?
Oh they're great! that and dollar store lamp cord and that's all you really need to wire a boat... Heh, good catch, the pump / filter setup is temporary and will be properly wired when set up permanently.
I'll keep an eye out for an electric vacuum setup.
ah have a water trap in your filters
Oh gosh yes.
As usual, awesome show....