Old fuel filters?

[Greenhand]

We inherited a few fuel filters when we purchased our boat. Based on the back order form attached to one of them, they are either from 2012 or 2005. Of concern, there is some discoloration on the packages around the O-rings. Does this indicate that the O-rings are disintegrating?

[model 10]

The prudent sailor will keep those old filters for the day it takes 4 filters to keep your engine running and they are the best filters you have.

[Greenhand]

Originally Posted by Guy

The prudent sailor will keep those old filters for the day it takes 4 filters to keep your engine running and they are the best filters you have.

Yeah, I guess in that case I am not going to be too concerned about the o-rings, since I will have all the others on hand.

[Rock-Head]

If it don't crumble in your hand, keep it for a rainy day.

[autumnbreeze27]

It's probably the oring material reacting with the packaging, they're probably fine. If the orings are brittle or otherwise failing when you open them, you could probably transfer the oring from the filter you're removing to the new one.

I'd use the oldest spares first, that way if they don't work you know early and you're not lugging them around for no reason.

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Guy

The prudent sailor will keep those old filters for the day it takes 4 filters to keep your engine running and they are the best filters you have.

The prudent sailor use them right now. Remember that the package was protecting the filter from ozone. Even 10 years is nothing on shelf life. Either use them right now, or if you can't stand that, pitch them right now. The cult of keeping old parts you don't trust is too bizarre. Anyway, those o-rings are good for years in actual use. I've used o-rings from the 30s that were in the original packaging without trouble (the key is that they were still sealed).

Always rotate your inventory.

[model 10]

Originally Posted by thinwater

ptch them right now. The cult of keeping old parts you don't trust is too bizarre.
A

I can't use them fast enough to keep the metal parts from rusting. I end up with filters that I would only use in an emergency. I tend to stock up with a full case of filters and rust happens over time.
I should turn you loose on our boat. It's way down on it's lines and it's because of spare stuff. I'm thinking of doing a serious rummage but fuel filters with a little corrosion on the outside will not be the first to go.

[MarkSF]

The previous owner of my boat liked to keep plenty of spares - the problem is, about half of them were for a completely different engine. Always have a spare impeller handy, it doesn't matter what kind of water pump">raw water pump it fits!

[model 10]

Originally Posted by MarkSF

. Always have a spare impeller handy, it doesn't matter what kind of raw water pump it fits!

In his defense, I once bought a couple of impellers that turned out not to fit and I carried them around for years.
Now I have 2 used serviceable, 1 new fresh (2yr old) a 2yr old in the engine and 1 old new impeller still in the box. For the motoring we do I feel comfortable.