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Old 27-02-2013, 16:44   #1
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I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Hi all, just thought I would share some frustrating work I have been doing on Odyssey. The fuel filter that came with the boat is a very old Racor 500. Well, it worked fine until I changed the filter element. Then it dripped from the drain area intermittently. Eventually, I ended up with a fair amount of diesel in my bilge, which does not smell good, and which is a pain in the #ss to clean up. My boat came with lots of spares, including a much more recent model of the Racor 500, so today I swapped them out. Everything went well until I tried to bleed my motor (Perkins 4-154), which just would not happen. I spent hours F-ing around with this until by chance I noticed the "In" and "Out" labels on the new filter appeared to be 180 degrees different from the old filter. Sure enough, I switched hoses and the baby fired right up and ran fine. I feel like an idiot that it took me so long to figure out, but doesn't that seem strange that the same model filter from the same manufacturer would swap the "in" and "out" hose connections?

Okay, I am halfway through a Tecate now. I feel much better.

Cheers, Bill
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Old 27-02-2013, 17:27   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by montenido View Post
Hi all, just thought I would share some frustrating work I have been doing on Odyssey. The fuel filter that came with the boat is a very old Racor 500. Well, it worked fine until I changed the filter element. Then it dripped from the drain area intermittently. Eventually, I ended up with a fair amount of diesel in my bilge, which does not smell good, and which is a pain in the #ss to clean up. My boat came with lots of spares, including a much more recent model of the Racor 500, so today I swapped them out. Everything went well until I tried to bleed my motor (Perkins 4-154), which just would not happen. I spent hours F-ing around with this until by chance I noticed the "In" and "Out" labels on the new filter appeared to be 180 degrees different from the old filter. Sure enough, I switched hoses and the baby fired right up and ran fine. I feel like an idiot that it took me so long to figure out, but doesn't that seem strange that the same model filter from the same manufacturer would swap the "in" and "out" hose connections?

Okay, I am halfway through a Tecate now. I feel much better.

Cheers, Bill
Aren't there both in & out ports on each side with the hose barb fitting mounted in the one of choice?
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Old 27-02-2013, 17:31   #3
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Well, I don't think Racor did this on purpose just to confuse boat owners. I just checked to confirm the dual Racor I bought (but have not yet installed) and they are designed so the the two filters in/out are opposite, one left, one right so the piping is simplified.

I think Racor may offer two versions so the dual setup works better and also so one can purchase the single version that best fits into his/her fuel arrangement.
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Old 27-02-2013, 17:33   #4
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

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Aren't there both in & out ports on each side with the hose barb fitting mounted in the one of choice?
Not on any of the four I have. All have one port per side.
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Old 27-02-2013, 17:44   #5
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

SkipMac, I think you nailed it. The filters would have to come in opposing configurations to make the dual set ups work. I must have replaced a lefty with a righty, or visa versa. Next time I will examine the new and old parts a bit more closely.

Thanks, Bill
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Old 27-02-2013, 17:48   #6
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Maine Sail has a great writeup on refurbing the racor...
Compass Marine "How To" Articles Photo Gallery by Compass Marine at pbase.com
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Old 27-02-2013, 17:53   #7
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

If you loosen the mounting band on a 500, you can rotate the housing 180 degrees allowing in or out on either side.
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Old 27-02-2013, 18:02   #8
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

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If you loosen the mounting band on a 500, you can rotate the housing 180 degrees allowing in or out on either side.
Doh!! NowI see. Yes you can.

Now I feel like an idiot too.
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Old 27-02-2013, 18:05   #9
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

I purchased a used boat once that had a pristine Taylor kerosene stove--looked like the previous owner had never used it. I found out why when I tried to light it. No matter what I did I couldn't get it to work--the kerosene just wouldn't flow no matter what the pressure I put in the tank. Finally, I disassembled everything and discovered there was a one-way valve in the line to the stove that was in backwards. I always wonder if the previous owner just wasn't interested in cooking or had spent years scratching his head why the stove wouldn't work.
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Old 27-02-2013, 18:16   #10
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Quote:
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If you loosen the mounting band on a 500, you can rotate the housing 180 degrees allowing in or out on either side.
That little trick only works for the guys who read the directions.
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Old 27-02-2013, 18:37   #11
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Directions ?? ya mean folks really read those !! Wow what a good idea !!! LOL
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Old 27-02-2013, 18:46   #12
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Quote:
Originally Posted by meridian28 View Post
If you loosen the mounting band on a 500, you can rotate the housing 180 degrees allowing in or out on either side.


You beat me to it!

A boat I was making a delivery on had some problems... The prior owner had cut a notch INTO the cockpit locker to make the racor fit... All he had to do was loosen the band!
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Old 28-02-2013, 15:51   #13
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

Do you guys know if the Racor 225R is reversible? Anyone have a lightly used Racor 225R - I'd like to setup dual filter config. Thanks
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Old 28-02-2013, 16:21   #14
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

I knew a bloke who was a technical writer for a pump company - ie he wrote instruction books. These were complicated big pumps used on oil rigs etc. He tells me he would write some text that made no sense to anybody in about 1 in 10 instruction books just to see how many calls he would get.

he retired 2 years ago and at his retirement party he noted he had written over 600 manuals, which had been translated into 20 odd languages and he had NEVER received a call about the "weird text" he wrote.

Men dont read instructions
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Old 28-02-2013, 17:12   #15
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Re: I'm an Idiot, Or How Not to Install a New Racor

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That little trick only works for the guys who read the directions.
A man's got to know his limitations!
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