I seem to recall Racor recommends a check valve in the fuel line between the 
tank and the pump, if the tank is lower than the filter. Having said that, I 
don’t think mine has any check valves.

 

 

Bill Coleman

Entrada, Erie, PA

 

 

 

From: David Knecht via CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com] 
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2021 1:47 PM
To: CnC CnC discussion list
Cc: David Knecht
Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump

 

Update on fuel issues: I spent a few hours more on the fuel system last weekend 
and things seem to be working, but unfortunately I am not sure what fixed it or 
even if it is fixed.  I replaced several more fuel lines and removed the vacuum 
gauge I had installed between the tank and the Racor just to simplify the 
possible vacuum leak points.  All the hoses looked good, but apparently you 
can’t always tell.  With the hose end heated in hot water trick, I was able to 
get the new hose on, but it was still a real battle in tight places.  The 
fittings were variable in size and style and some were really challenging.  
After completing the connections, I turned on the fuel pump, expecting it to 
pull fuel from the tank and fill the Racor bowl.  It did not.  So I opened the 
Racor bowl, filled it and tested again, and the bowl stayed full.  I pulled the 
fuel level sensor so I could see inside the tank, and I could see fuel coming 
out of the return tube from the engine.  That told me I was in fact pumping 
fuel.  I then ran the engine for 30 min and all seemed well.  

I am hoping it is fixed but it is frustrating that I don’t know what was wrong. 
 Apparently, my “does the pump fill the bowl" test was not the correct way to 
assess function.  Is it possible that when the pump is full of air it can’t 
pull enough vacuum to feed the Racor?  Also, given that the original problem 
occurred twice a week apart, with it working fine for hours in between has me 
worried it will occur again.  Intermittent problems are the worst!  Fingers 
crossed. 

 I plan to replace the Racor with a newer model with a gauge built into the lid 
before next season.  I found new filters for my 200 Turbine series, but it 
seems they are getting harder to locate.  Probably not going to run out in my 
sailing lifetime, but the newer Racors seem a decent upgrade.  Dave

 

S/V Aries

1990 C&C 34+

New London, CT








On Sep 25, 2021, at 3:36 PM, Korbey Hunt via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> 
wrote:

 

When installing a hose to nipple fitting i recomnend using a hair dryer to warm 
the hose and liquid dish soap to lube the nipple barb.   

 

Get Outlook for Android <https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg> 

  _____  

From: cenelson via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 3:09:10 PM
To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Cc: cenelson <cenel...@aol.com>
Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump 

 

Had a similar problem to yours several years ago. After doing most of what you 
have done, my diesel mechanic suggested just replacing the Racor MA 500(?) top 
plate since even a little over tightening can push the middle down enough that 
the O-ring on the circumference will leak enough that after running for a while 
the air inside it gets into the fuel lines.  

 

This was a cheap enough thing to do that I did it—along with a few other 
‘fixes’ and the problem went away. 

 

Since it was not the only change I made, I can’t be certain that the new top 
plate solved the problem or if it was something else. 

 

Note I am pretty sure that the instructions for the Racor say to only hand 
tighten this plate or something similar—I now know why! 

 

Given how little extra tightening it would take at the Center to deflect the 
circumference/O-ring joint enough to suck air in, (probably a few microns could 
break the vacuum seal) and over time you have air bubbles that get to the 
engine or at least prevent fuel from getting to the engine.

 

FWIW,

 

Charlie Nelson


Sent 
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On Thursday, September 23, 2021, 12:36 PM, David Knecht via CnC-List 
<cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote:

I meant bypass the Racor, turn on the pump and collect fuel into a secondary 
container to test.  I agree that I would not run the engine that way.  I am 
presuming that the flow of fuel through the filter should be a good test of the 
system since the problem was I was getting air into the primary Racor holder, 
so a vacuum leak likely somewhere.  Dave 

 

S/V Aries

1990 C&C 34+

New London, CT


<pastedGraphic.tiff> 





On Sep 23, 2021, at 9:53 AM, Neil Andersen <neil.eric.ander...@gmail.com> wrote:

 

I would think that risky.  If the Racor is the issue because it is doing its 
job and there is particulate matter coming from the tank, bypassing it will 
allow the matter to get to the engine. 

 

Neil Andersen

1982 C&C 32, FoxFire

Rock Hall, MD 21661

484-354-8800

  _____  

From: David Knecht via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2021 9:36:44 AM
To: CnC CnC discussion list <cnc-list@cnc-list.com>
Cc: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com>
Subject: Stus-List Re: Fuel pump 

 

Hi Dennis- The Racor looks OK, but of course that says nothing.  I don’t know 
the Racor model but it is older since it does not have the threaded top that 
you can add a gauge to.  Since that is a more expensive alteration, I thought I 
would replace the fuel lines first and see if that fixes the problem.  If not, 
I thought I would bypass the Racor and see if it works that way and if so, 
replace the Racor itself.  Dave 

 

S/V Aries

1990 C&C 34+

New London, CT


<pastedGraphic.tiff> 





On Sep 23, 2021, at 9:31 AM, Dennis C. via CnC-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> 
wrote:

 

What type of fuel filter do you have?  If it's a Racor MA500, the top may be 
warped or the gasket may be cracked or displaced.  Those are not infrequent 
issues with that filter.  Either condition could result in air inleakage.

 

 

-- 

Dennis C. 

Touche' 35-1 #83

Mandeville, LA

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