Should I remove my water separator

[ickywmb]

I just noticed that there is a Racor 200FG fuel/water separator added to my engine. I've never emptied it and have no idea how/when to service it. Should I keep it on and learn how to take advantage of it, or just remove it? It's an '84 300D.

[compu_85]

I'd keep it, Racor makes excellent filters and it's never a bad idea to keep water out of the fuel injection system!

-J

[ickywmb]

Originally Posted by compu_85

I'd keep it, Racor makes excellent filters and it's never a bad idea to keep water out of the fuel injection system!

Thanks. How often should I drain the separator? And I'm assuming it's easy enough to figure out how to drain it. I haven't looked, but I assume there's probably just a petcock or drain plug, or is it more complicated than this?

[compress ignite]

You can get 2 micron water separating filter elements for it.
Far superior to O.E. equipment!

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=Racor+200FG&btnG=Google+Search

[ickywmb]

Also, does anyone know if there is an existing owner's manual for the 200fg? I know nothing about it. Should I continue to replace the OE fuel filters or does the 200fg do this?

[Palangi]

I would leave it on. You never know when you might get a load of bad fuel.

There is a drain on the bottom of it. Some have a petcock type, some have a twist type. Drain it once a month or so.

To replace the element, loosen the clamp on top using the black knob. Careful of the big O-ring. If I remember right, the element just stabs onto the top cover.

NAPA should have replacement elements.

If it sucks air, it's probably the big O-ring on the cover.

If you don't want it, I will buy it from you.

[charmalu]

The replacement filters can also be bought at West Marine.

I have one that has been on my 82 Datsun Diesel for the past 400K miles. I bought it soon after buying the truck back in 81.

When you buy the new filter replacement, it comes with two new rubber "O" rings.
at the bottom of the clear bowel on the bottm is a drain, just unscrew it and it will drain out. I added a clear vinyl hose that will just push onto the drain.
I then run it into a drain pan to keep from having it spill all over the inner fender.

The unit is easy to dissasemble if you want to completely clean it, just remove all the screws and it comes apart.

when I got the 240 in Feb, it had one installed, but was disconnected and they were using the MB little clear filter. the Racor was a greasyditry mess. when I removed it from the bracket, it was filled with goopy old Diesel, looked like old engine oil.
I took it all apart and washed in gas, then with Marine Clean, reassembled, replaced the filter and remounted it. There is one "O" ring between the 2 halves, I reused the old one and haven`t had any air leakage. I think there is a kit from Racor.

there is a 2 micron and a 10 micron filter, and I think one more size. the filter is about $13. buy 2, keep one in the glove box.

When I drain it, I usually remove the band and pull the top off, then use a small brush to loosen up the gunk in the bottom while pouring in some clean Diesel to flush it. then close the drain, fill the bowel to the inner ledge, and replace the top. any higher with the fuel, and it will overflow when replacing the top/filter.

I have never had to bleed the fuel lines from having air if I fill the bowel first.


There has been about 3 times when I got lax and pushed the filter to it`s limit, and it shut me down along the road in the Datsun. the engine would idle, but not get enough fuel to go full power. I pulled the top off, threw the filter in the bushes, toped off the bowel, atf oil etc... and went on w/o the filter until I could replace it.


Charlie

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by ickywmb

I just noticed that there is a Racor 200FG fuel/water separator added to my engine. I've never emptied it and have no idea how/when to service it. Should I keep it on and learn how to take advantage of it, or just remove it? It's an '84 300D.

Very cool!

My diesel motorcoach *last one) had a Racor filter/water seperator on it too. We had it put on back near the fuel tank assy.

I would definitely keep an eye on it for water accumulation. Mine had a spring-loaded or screw-open drain for any accumulated water.

[bobodaclown]

Hope this helps:
http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/catalogs/catalog_group.php?owner=mdd&page_ident=7480F-77A&model=Diesel%20Spin-On%20Series&manufacturer=Racor&title=Racor%20Diesel%20Spin-On%20Series%20Model%20200FG&quant_position=&catalog=7480F&printparts=&printservice=&printoperators=&comment1=The%20200FG%20series%20has%20been%20replaced%20by%20the%20215R,%20230R,%20245R%20spin-on%20type%20series%20which%20feature%20more%20available%20options%20and%20mounting%20versatility.%20 %20The%20circled%20number%20corresponds%20to%20the%20item%20number%20shown%20below.

[10fords]

I've got a racor r20s on my 1980 diesel Scout and it has a little plunger on the top to fill the filter and purge any air when you change the element- cool stuff!! I would definitely keep it. The elements cost about $40 at west marine though.