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Old 23-05-2015, 09:37   #1
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Rancor 500FG and draining water

I just purchased a boat that uses a Rancor 500FG fuel filter. The bowl is a translucent red color and I can't really see if there's any water in it that needs to be drained. There's a hose attached to the drain plug that leads to the bilge. Does this mean that the bowl likely drains automatically and that it doesn't have to be drained manually?

The fuel filter is in a bit of a hard to reach place, and I couldn't quite figure out how to remove the bowl.
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Old 23-05-2015, 09:48   #2
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

They don't auto drain, but by twisting the piece the hose is attached to you'll open the valve and drain the bottom of the bowl of whatever is on it (fuel/water/sediment).


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Old 23-05-2015, 10:41   #3
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

One of the first things you should do is replace that filter, the next thing you should do is remount the filter housing so that it is easy to get to and you can put something under the housing to catch whatever you drain out of the bowl. You should never drain it into the bilge. You will also need to take a close look at your bilge to see if there is fuel floating around down there.
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Old 23-05-2015, 11:10   #4
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

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Originally Posted by Sailmonkey View Post
They don't auto drain, but by twisting the piece the hose is attached to you'll open the valve and drain the bottom of the bowl of whatever is on it (fuel/water/sediment).


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So I started draining it, and it appears to be mostly fuel (it's a magenta color). I drained about 10oz before I turned the valve off. Is this normal? I thought it would be mostly water that drains out.
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Old 23-05-2015, 11:12   #5
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

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Originally Posted by eggman2001 View Post
So I started draining it, and it appears to be mostly fuel (it's a magenta color). I drained about 10oz before I turned the valve off. Is this normal? I thought it would be mostly water that drains out.

If there's no water in your fuel tank there will be no water in your fuel filter..... This is good.


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Old 23-05-2015, 12:03   #6
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

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Originally Posted by eggman2001 View Post
So I started draining it, and it appears to be mostly fuel (it's a magenta color). I drained about 10oz before I turned the valve off. Is this normal? I thought it would be mostly water that drains out.
I run dual 500's. Water appears as clear rather than the "red" fuel color. You need only drain the water that appears in the bottom of the bowl. It would only be a very little bit. Anything more and I would start looking for causes.

Do change the filters and fill with fresh diesel before closing them up.
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Old 24-05-2015, 10:20   #7
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

A drain tube running into your bilge would not be viewed favorably by the Coast Guard. Plus, why would anyone intentionally drain diesel into their bilge. Great way to make your boat stink.
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Old 24-05-2015, 11:12   #8
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

First you need to buy the new filter and with this you must choose how fine of element you desire. They measure this in terms of "micron". For example you can get a 10 micron or a 30. The smaller the number the finer the element. I use a 10 micron. When you open the package you get the filer and two rubber O rings. On the top of the filer element there is a metal T handle and you turn (screw) this off. Once removed you then can remove the metal top of the element. Reach down inside the element and pull out the old filter. take note as to how clean of dirty the once white filter material looks. Insert the new filter making sure the attached plastic pull handles are up or on top. Next you remove the old rubber gasket O ring from the metal top and install the new one, once this is done you replace the top back on filter unit. The T handle has a small O ring and this is also replaced. The T handle is screwed down tight but don't over tighten. Then drain the bowl of all water. You have now changed you filter but in doing so you have entered air into you now sealed fuel system and this air must be removed before you can run the engine. You have two options. One you use a small hand pump located near your fuel injection pump and this hand pump will pull air/fuel though the system then you bleed off the air by cracking open the air bleeder screw located on the injection pump or....you can fill the fuel filter unit with fresh fuel through the top the same way you put the new filter element inside. No matter, you must totally fill the filter unit and no air must be in the system or you engine will not run right. In all honestly its rather simple once you have done this a few times. Learn how to bleed air from your fuel system so you are always ready to deal with this in the event you should get air into you fuel system because its only a matter of time before this happens. If you should ever have questions please feel free to email me and I would be happy to help you if I can.
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Old 24-05-2015, 20:05   #9
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

I suggest that the previous owner/operator left the tube for the RACOR filter hanging loose because he felt that the drain plug would not leak and that he used a stowable/disposable (Properly, of course) container to do the water draining exercise.
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Old 24-05-2015, 20:21   #10
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

CAUTION!!!

There are two replacement filter elements for the 500FG - old style and new style. Both versions are floating around in the marketplace.

Be careful when replacing this, and know whether the small spacer is needed for the actual replacement you are using.
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Old 24-05-2015, 21:21   #11
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Re: Rancor 500FG and draining water

Link for filter replacement elements mentioned above:

http://www.parker.com/literature/Rac...asket_Pack.pdf

I have come across marine diesel mechanics that were not aware of this.
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