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Old 22-10-2016, 03:24   #1
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Second Filter starves my engine

Greetings,
My CAT has two Volvo D2 55HP sail drive 130 motors.

We have an existing filter and water trap in our fuel line close to the engine. We decided to install a second Fram filter and water trap, as an extra precaution. However, the engine dies from fuel starvation with the extra filter fitted. We increased the sizes of the fuel lines without success. When we remove the actual orange filter, and left the filter housing in place. Then it works fine.

We are puzzled as to why it would do this? Please advise as follows:
1. Can you advise why this is happening.
2. Do you have any solution?

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Old 22-10-2016, 05:23   #2
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Similar thing happened to me when I installed extra filters. I suggest reason may be diesel lift pump not strong enough to suck fuel through filters with extra resistance.

My fix was to install simple automotive electric fuel pump before filters connected to engine power circuit. Has been going without incident for 5 years. However could be a weak lift pump.

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Old 22-10-2016, 05:26   #3
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

I agree with Pegasus, either install a boost pump or have a selector valve that allows only the one filter to be in use at a time while you change out the idle filter.
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Old 22-10-2016, 05:39   #4
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Get rid of the Fram, seriously.
If you want two filters, install the Racor dual filter, that gives you lots of options, but with twin engines, maybe you don't really need that.
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Old 22-10-2016, 08:16   #5
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

We have dual Racors but they are set up as either or not dual in line or series. If one gets clogged or dirty can switch to second one and keep running.
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Old 22-10-2016, 08:20   #6
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Aha, you've identified your own problem. Try an element with a larger micron rating.
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Old 22-10-2016, 08:21   #7
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by a64pilot View Post
Get rid of the Fram, seriously.
^^^ Wise Advice!

If you love your engines, lose the Frams.

Cheap junk.
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Old 22-10-2016, 08:30   #8
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

either your micron size is too small or the lift pump just doesn't like trying to suck that hard.
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Old 22-10-2016, 08:40   #9
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Thank you for the helpful replies. Ill try a lower micron filter. If that fails, then Ill install an additional pump. What problems am I likely to experience with the FRAM filter? I dont want maintenance issues if I can avoid it.
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Old 22-10-2016, 08:55   #10
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

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Originally Posted by YPSILANTI View Post
Thank you for the helpful replies. Ill try a lower micron filter. If that fails, then Ill install an additional pump. What problems am I likely to experience with the FRAM filter? I dont want maintenance issues if I can avoid it.
Here is just one of many (Google it, there are many nasty comments about Fram's lack of quality)
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Old 22-10-2016, 09:16   #11
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

We had the same prob on our cat. It was caused by the filter being too small. So we removed it and put in a large simple automobile filter in worked fine. Sold that cat so cannot remember the name of the secondry filter.
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Old 22-10-2016, 09:36   #12
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Quote:
Originally Posted by crabcake View Post
Here is just one of many (Google it, there are many nasty comments about Fram's lack of quality)
Well, I'd take it with a grain of salt. Looking at that link, it's pretty obvious that guy ran that filter forever. I've never seen a filter I've removed look anything like that. Often they look so clean after a long time I ask myself "why did I change that again?" He talks about how hard it was to get off, dry rubber internals etc, well yeah, it's effing ancient looking!
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Old 22-10-2016, 10:51   #13
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

As an aircraft mechanic I cut open aircraft oil filters to inspect them, so I have an oil filter cutter. I have cut open Fram automotive and other oil filters, and from the cheap rubber flap oil drain back valve to the glued on cardboard end cap to the many fewer pleats resulting in much less filter media, I now won't put one on a lawnmower.
Napa Gold,Mobil 1, K&N, Fleetguard, Wix etc are very good filters, but Fram is honestly made from very poor quality components
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Old 22-10-2016, 11:21   #14
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

I agree with almost everything stated. Would highly recommend a backup electric fuel pump. Understand reason for buying automotive but would get good marine grade like Walbro. Nice for backup and also makes bleeding much easier. Turn it off when not needed with separate switch. Do you not have secondary filters mounted on engine?
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Old 22-10-2016, 12:16   #15
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Re: Second Filter starves my engine

Fram is a very poor quality filter, but what is the pressure coming off the lift pump? I know it wasn't a marine diesel, but I ran a 2 micron filter on my last Cummins P/U. You can't really get a smaller micron rating than that, and the in tank lift pump had no problems supplying fuel to my Smarty boosted 400 hp engine.
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