Fuel Filter Change/Generator

[Steve Falor]

I need to change the fuel filter on my generator. How tuff is this?

[Target9000]

Originally Posted by Steve Falor

I need to change the fuel filter on my generator. How tuff is this?

Its sort of like asking... How hard is it to change a light bulb?

Well, it depends on if we're talking about a standard light socket in a lamp at head height or if we're talking about a light bulb somewhere ontop of the spire ontop of the Empire State Building.

Why don't you tell us a little bit about your setup like... What generator do you have? Are we talking about primary or secondary fuel filters? etc.

Usually it isn't a big deal.

[Steve Falor]

It is a 5 KW Northern Lights

[GordMay]

Easy. It uses a large "spin on" fuel filtre.

[Steve Falor]

Thanks. I am buying the boat mid Dec. The survey showed the filter needing to be changed.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Steve Falor

Thanks. I am buying the boat mid Dec. The survey showed the filter needing to be changed.

You should get used to doing this, I have no idea how the surveyor knows the filter needs to be changed, but it's a normal maintenance item.

There is a good chance you'll need to bleed the fuel system after changing the filter too.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Easy. It uses a large "spin on" fuel filtre.

If OP can get to it easily.

Could be a 5 minute job -- complicated by an hour's worth of access time. Bleeding may not be a big deal, especially if it uses an electric lift pump... and the bleed screws are easily accessible.

-Chris

[Cheechako]

fill the filter with fuel before installing it (assuming it mounts threaded end up!), you may end up not having to bleed at all.

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

fill the filter with fuel before installing it (assuming it mounts threaded end up!), you may end up not having to bleed at all.

I hate this advice, but accept that it's done all the time. The filter is to keep grit etc from the injection pump and injectors (that have a tolerance measured in microns).
If you do this be sure to put your thumb in the middle hole of the spin on filter and fill through the outside holes.

[GordMay]

You might check out the Northern Lights / Lugger manual, for your model:
➥ Northern Lights, Inc.: Manuals

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by Sailmonkey

I hate this advice, but accept that it's done all the time. The filter is to keep grit etc from the injection pump and injectors (that have a tolerance measured in microns).
If you do this be sure to put your thumb in the middle hole of the spin on filter and fill through the outside holes.

Agree. Our diesel tech counsels to never add unfiltered fuel directly to the spin-on secondary.

-Chris

[Talbot]

Like others, I dont like the idea of adding fuel to the fuel filter, but every so often it is an idea to add pure fuel injector cleaner. This would normally be just added to the diesel, but by adding it neat at this point in the fuel delivery, it provides really concentrated cleaning to injectors.

There will be a LOT of smoke on initial starting, but it will quickly settle down and should help fuel efficiency and cleanliness of the exhaust.

Just make sure that you are not upwind of a party before that initial start