Install Racor 500FG fuel filter

[dmksails]

I need to replace the Racor 20P filter assembly on my 3GM30F. Its' been suggested that the Racor 500FG would be a much better solution.

Is there anything I need to be aware of if I make this change? One question I have is that the 500FG does not appear to have a priming pump. How do you deal with priming this type of filter?

[Orion Jim]

I use a Racor 120, good for 15 GPH max flow rate. Do you really require the 60 GPH max flow rate?

[dmksails]

Probably not. Current filter has 30 gph. How do you prime these filters?

[A la carte]

To prime my Racor 500, I fill the filter bowl with diesel then seal it up. Once full, I don’t need to prime again.

[chris mac]

I have the same engines, and filters. For priming, I added a diesel fuel squeeze bulb inline prior to the racor. I Crack the racor lid, squeeze until the racor is full, then close up. Then I open the last bleed screw prior to the injectors and bleed the engine fuel lines.
Thats pretty much it

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by chris mac

For priming, I added a diesel fuel squeeze bulb inline prior to the racor.

Did you find a diesel specific squeeze bulb? When I last checked only found outboard, gasoline rated but assumed/hoped if they handle gas they would handle diesel but I could be wrong.

[stormalong]

Originally Posted by chris mac

I have the same engines, and filters. For priming, I added a diesel fuel squeeze bulb inline prior to the racor. I Crack the racor lid, squeeze until the racor is full, then close up. Then I open the last bleed screw prior to the injectors and bleed the engine fuel lines.
Thats pretty much it

Originally Posted by skipmac

Did you find a diesel specific squeeze bulb? When I last checked only found outboard, gasoline rated but assumed/hoped if they handle gas they would handle diesel but I could be wrong.

I have the same setup. I have seen diesel rated squeeze bulbs but when I went to buy one as a spare i could not find it. My gas squeeze bulb is more than ten years old and working fine.

There is always a risk of them rupturing. Marine surveyors do not like them. As a precaution make the squeeze bulb the highest thing in the fuel circuit, well above the tank. That way if it fails it won't siphon fuel into your bilge. Only the fuel in the bulb will leak out.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by stormalong

There is always a risk of them rupturing. Marine surveyors do not like them. As a precaution make the squeeze bulb the highest thing in the fuel circuit, well above the tank. That way if it fails it won't siphon fuel into your bilge. Only the fuel in the bulb will leak out.

Thanks for the suggestion. I have the perfect spot to install one right on top of the tank.

[chris mac]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Did you find a diesel specific squeeze bulb? When I last checked only found outboard, gasoline rated but assumed/hoped if they handle gas they would handle diesel but I could be wrong.

I did find Diesel specific, or at least sold as that. Manufactured for heavy equipment, same as I bought for my skid steers in my former land based life

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by chris mac

I did find Diesel specific, or at least sold as that. Manufactured for heavy equipment, same as I bought for my skid steers in my former land based life

Interesting.
Do you recall the make [brand] & model?

Understanding Squeeze Bulb Priming on Detroit Diesel Powered Boats
➥ https://dieselpro.com/blog/understan...powered-boats/

[Marathon1150]

We installed a small electric gasoline fuel pump between the tank and the Racor 500 with a line that bypasses the pump during normal engine operation. When changing the filter, we isolate the Racor from downstream with a valve, and then we use the electric pump to fill the bowl after replacing the old filter. The whole process can be done in about 2 minutes and it is not necessary to bleed anything downstream from the Racor.

Previous to installing the electric pump, I would keep a small bottle of diesel onhand to fill the bowl after replacing the filter. The electric pump is much better.

The big advantage of the Racor 500 over spin-on's is twofold, IMHO. The filters are much cheaper than the spin on type and the speed of changing the filter is much faster, at least for me.

[chris mac]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Interesting.
Do you recall the make [brand] & model?

Understanding Squeeze Bulb Priming on Detroit Diesel Powered Boats
➥ https://dieselpro.com/blog/understan...powered-boats/

I don't remember the brand, it was an after market sold for diesel skid steers. My thought was it would be over qualified for the smaller yanmar, and up to the task for vibration and heat.
Something similar
https://www.amazon.com/Primer-Bobcat.../dp/B01M5FTK33
Just a limited search showed many on Amazon that state gas and diesel usage, so I may have overpaid. However this is an item I don't want to fail unexpectedly.