Fuel Primer/Filter Problem and Solution

[Gary D-WO]

Last summer while travelling across Canada and USA i had the misfortune to lose the fuel prime on my 05 Meridian 36G (cat C7 350. It turned out to be a O ring problem on the primary fuel filter which was slowly leaking fuel. Unfortunately there was no primer pump on this unit so we were now stuck in the campground. Many attempts to get it primed were unsuccessful and finally had to call a Cat service centre for help. (Hate to have to do this!!). Finally got it going after spending $$$'s.

So decided to find a solution that hopefully would eliminate this from happening again. On our unit the secondary filter at the engine was too close to the floor under the bed and a primer pump would have been difficult to install as well as being in a bad location under the bed.

Finally decided to install a Racor R460 filter/primer pump as a primary system in the rear. It is a filter-primer-water separator and also has a filter status indicator much like the one on the air filter system. Hopefully I can now prime the system easily if needed as well as know when the filter needs changing.

Gary D

Picture attached

 

[dc8cappie]

How about a list of all the parts need and photos of the installation?

I'd like to do the same thing.

 

[Gary D-WO]

Earl

I purchased this as a complete unit. It included the head assembly, filter, filter indicator and water separator bowl on the bottom. It has two input ports and two outlet ports. Since I only one input and one output two of the ports were plugged. Plugs were included.

Mounting was also easy since the factory bracket that held the factory filter had the right hole spacing to bolt on the new filter assembly. Installation instructions are included with the unit.

Gary D

 

[1ciderdog]

Gary, Does your CAT have one or two filters? And if only one filter what is the micon size filter?
Thanks
Bob

 

[DogsCamping]

Can I assume this is for a diesel?

 

[dc8cappie]

OK Gary, kit is great. Do you happen to have the part number and where you got it. Pleeeeeese!

 

[Gary D-WO]

Ok guys I will try and answer your questions.

Yes this is being used on a diesel engine. My engine is a Cat C7 350 HP. It has 2 filters the primary (Racor R460) is a 30 micron filter and the secondary located on the engine is a 2 micron filter. The filter that i installed is rated for 60 gph. A 45 and 90 gph flow filter size can be used with the same head assembly. The filters come in 30, 10 and 2 micron sizes. I believe they have another a dual filter built into one with a final filtration of 2 microns.

I purchased the Racor 460 at a local truck service center. I am sure it can be purchased at any number of truck service centers or diesel outlets. It included the fuel filter indicator with the filter/head/separator assembly

I have the installation manual that came with the unit which describes details of all the various options as well as how to install.

If there any other questions I will try to answer. By the way I am not a filter expert. Just trying to achieve clean fuel and being able to prime the fuel system!!

Gary

 

[Gary D-WO]

I forgot to include the following web site for additional info.

www.parker.com/literature/racor/mobile_400_series.pdf

Gary

 

[dc8cappie]

Gary,

Which adapter did you use at the original filter mount on the engine, and where did you get it and the needed lines. I don't see them listed with the remote mount or did I miss something.

Thanks much.

 

[dc8cappie]

Gary,

Sorry, did you replace this for the 30 micron filter and not the 2 micron filter on the engine. This would explain why I'm confused.

I then assume you just crack the line or loosen the 2 micron filter and prime the line.

 

[Gary D-WO]

Earl

Your last post is correct. I simply replaced the original 30 micron filter (Primary Filter) in the rear with the Racor R460. The original 2 micron filter (Secondary Filter) was not touched.

The reason I did this was because to add a primer pump to the engine mounted 2 micron filter would have required the fuel lines to be moved since I could not get a primer pump on the secondary filter in its current location. To me it was simpler to put the primer on the primary.

I shall stop before I confuse myself and others!!

Gary