When to change your Fuel Filter

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  • #183
    Irish Mist
    Keymaster

    Ahoy,

    Having suffered from fuel filter problems in Irish Mist, 3 years ago I put in two filters in parallel–could switch over to another one if you have problem–with a back up electric fuel pump ahead of lift pump. So being a conservative Irish Man I have gone three years without replacing my two cylinder filter Perkins ( each one is about 6 by 3 inches.) But I did put a Vacuum gage in the line. So when do I change filters–or do I wait until one conks out and go in the bilge to change over. So looking on the net I found several notes of interest . One that SOP for diesel marine filters is 400 hrs. So only having 300 hrs maybe I am Ok for another year. The other from SeaKInots was more interesting. Randy asked how can you tell from vacuum gauge that filter is clogged. Doug replied I change my filter when I draw 8 inches of vacuum. Keylime jay replied that 8 inches was a good number and 10 inches results in fuel starvation. He also said “how much money is wasted in changing filters every year.
    So Irish mist will change when vacuum gauge gets to 5 inches. If you see us stranded in the Bay calling for help you will know why.

    Thanks for your thoughts.

    Joe, Irish mist

    #716
    Al Sampson
    Participant

    Hi Joe,
    Funny you should ask. Today for the first time I removed the primary filter element from the filter/water separator and flushed the housing completely with fresh diesel. A lot of junk came out. After I replaced the filter element. I replace all three of my filters, all in series, every two years, approx. 120 hrs, I do it more often when I head south. I consider filter elements cheep insurance!

    Al Sampson

    #717
    Irish Mist
    Keymaster

    Al, Thanks for your note. What size in microns are your filters. Mine next to the engine is 2 microns. The Perkins filter/water separator consists of two elements each 3x 5 inches 12 microns. Still zero Vacuum today–first start of engine.

    Joe

    #718
    Al Sampson
    Participant

    Joe,
    My primary, parker, is 2 microns. The other two on the engine I think are also 2 microns. I realize 2 microns as a primary is over kill but that’s the way it has been for many years so I will continue.

    Al

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