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| Tony's Tips |
ARTICLE DATE: 09/01/2007 |
| Marine Fuel Filtration - "The Seaboard Way" |
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| Can you have "Too Much" filtration ?? |
I am not one to argue another author's ideas on fuel filtration
when I think someone is suggesting (in so many words) that fuel that is cleaner,
is better. So, I 100% agree it would be very difficult to say that "too much"
fuel filtration is possible with the fuel injection equipment used w/ these
60-80HP per liter diesels today, so having fuel "too clean" may not applicable
anymore. But, of course there are practical limits as to a filtering system
that filters to well beyond needed cleanliness, and I will suggest that maybe
something along the lines of practicality might be missing in many ideas written
on the subject.
This is what should be conveyed and understood about "too clean"... |
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Multi-Stage for problem fuel tanks - (Left) QSL's in a small "crew boat"
with problem fuel tanks - No chances taken here as we have a "water
absorbing" media filter in the middle and a FS19596 with a WIF Sensor
as our polisher/final stage - never too much! |
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Actually, filtering down to a nominal 2 mic level probably
could have some quantifiable benefits ( injector seat & injection plunger/cam
wear), even for and an engine that does not require that level of filtration.
But this is not the reason I sell replacement injection pumps a couple of times
a year and rebuilt injectors about 10 times a year. It's because of water contamination,
and the fact that the operator only relied on his 1st line of defense (typically
a "RACOR") and the marketing hype around it that led to complacency regarding
fuel quality... So, I'm not going to argue about whether filtering below manufacturers'
specs has a benefit - what I'll argue is the way most people filter fuel. And,
that typically is that the vessel and / or operator is relying on a single
filter to remove water and contaminants before he sends that "filtered" fuel
to his on-engine" last chance fuel filter - This is a major mistake in judgment
as to think that the last chance filter will save him. We hope to convince
our customers that a well designed fuel system will deliver fuel to the engine,
and to it's "on-engine fuel filter", that is all ready clean enough that he
is not relying on this "last chance" filter to save him.
My thoughts, experience, and reasoning will never change
about using multi-stage "primary filtration" and making sure you have the filtering
capacity to get you through a lousy tank of fuel, or maybe two. With the advent
of "common rail" fuel injection, just the slightest amount of water that makes
it to the pump and/or injector will now have catastrophic consequences for
not only your fuel system components, but could also take-out the engine.
Some RACOR Thoughts
A Racor 1000 can have very acceptable capacity when used w/ a 300-600 HP engine
in typical recreational service. Use that same filter on a 200-400 HP diesel
in an application that runs 2000-5000 hours per year, and in many/most cases
if this unit used as the only filter before the engine, this widely used filter
has unacceptable life between maintenance intervals. My point here is that
designed flow rate of a filter should not be the only reason for selecting
filter size but rather needs to be chosen based upon the application and vessel
current use, and past fuel problem history (if any) of the vessel.
As many operators will confirm from personal experience, servicing a "Racor"
can be a challenge if you want to try and keep the bowl clear and clean. Lots
of parts, seals and just a plain hassle and extremely messy to deal with. But,
get it clean once, install a bulk separator in front of it, and you'll see
a noticeable change in the maintenance of the Racor over the next few years,
along w/ giving you that added layer of protection. Also, more times than not,
I have seen the bowl on a Racor so dirty that its effective use as a "visual"
has become totally worthless. My preference and experience is not to rely on
a "visual" at all, but to drain a sample of fuel before you use your vessel.
Maybe that reasoning comes from my training as a military pilot way back when,
but for sure its merit cannot be questioned. Also, adding a WIF sensor is easy
on the Racors and a few other types of filters. The factory Cummins VDO panels
and harnesses are all ready set up with WIF circuitry/alarms, so if water has
been an issue, you really do not have an excuse not to hook it up. |
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