Proper Fuel Filter for an Atomic 4

[magi]

Looking for a proper gas fuel filter for my A4. I see many filters that are for diesel and believe its a very common mistake to think you can use these with gas. Most are for outboards and not for down below in an enclosed space. USCG also does not like non-flame retardant bowls for inside use. Have to agree with them there. Any thoughts on finding a set up with a metal or glass bowl ?

Thanks All.

[ndutton]

Moyer Marine has exactly what you're looking for:

https://moyermarine.com/product/racor-gasoline-fuel-filterwater-separator-fpmp_05-1_349/

[jcwright]

Hello magi.

Here is the filter/separator offered in the MMI catalog, which has a metal bowl:

https://moyermarine.com/product/racor-gasoline-fuel-filterwater-separator-fpmp_05-1_349/

Jack.

[sastanley]

magi..welcome, and right on the above posts. You want the Racor 320R with the metal bowl linked above. I will comment from personal experience that it is important to lubricate the rubber gaskets for ease in later servicing.

[Al Schober]

Let me add that you should check your filters with a magnet. If a magnet sticks, they're going to rust. And the rust particles are going to go downstream toward your carb. I spent a Summer tracking down carb issues. Turned out to be due to my secondary filter (the one of last recourse) rusting and sending rusticles to the carb.

[joe_db]

Let me add that you should check your filters with a magnet. If a magnet sticks, they're going to rust. And the rust particles are going to go downstream toward your carb. I spent a Summer tracking down carb issues. Turned out to be due to my secondary filter (the one of last recourse) rusting and sending rusticles to the carb.

Thanks for the reminder - my secondary filter is rusting on the outside, so maybe it is inside as well.

[ndutton]

Let me add that you should check your filters with a magnet. If a magnet sticks, they're going to rust. And the rust particles are going to go downstream toward your carb.

Wouldn't this this apply to the primary filter as well (see Racor, Sierra, Fram etc.)? I have a primary water separating spin on filter (Sierra 18-7945), steel casing the same as several other brands and in 17 years of ownership I've never had a speck of rust but then again I change my filter regularly.

Then there's the USCG metallic construction requirement for inboard gasoline installations or said another way, no glass, plastic or see-through materials of any kind for filter or sediment bowl construction on a gas inboard.

[joe_db]

Wouldn't this this apply to the primary filter as well (see Racor, Sierra, Fram etc.)? I have a primary water separating spin on filter (Sierra 18-7945), steel casing the same as several other brands and in 17 years of ownership I've never had a speck of rust but then again I change my filter regularly.

Then there's the USCG metallic construction requirement for inboard gasoline installations or said another way, no glass, plastic or see-through materials of any kind for filter or sediment bowl construction on a gas inboard.

I have had Racors rust on the outside. Actually that annoyed me to the point I decided to switch to Sierra filters. They cost a lot less and I replace them annually, so they never get a chance to rust.

[edwardc]

I too use the sierra filter. They're inexpensive enough that I just replace it every spring. Never had any rust.

[msmith10]

I agree with Ed. I got rid of the bottom-draining racor. I also use a sierra spin-on filter- just pull the whole filter and throw it away. Besides just having 1 o-ring to seal, I always worried about the drain at the bottom of the racor leaking. Yes, the drain does allow you to check for/drain water, but at 10 bucks or so per filter, I prefer to just change filters.

[joe_db]

I agree with Ed. I got rid of the bottom-draining racor. I also use a sierra spin-on filter- just pull the whole filter and throw it away. Besides just having 1 o-ring to seal, I always worried about the drain at the bottom of the racor leaking. Yes, the drain does allow you to check for/drain water, but at 10 bucks or so per filter, I prefer to just change filters.

If you have ethanol-gas, by the time something shows up in that drain you are in big trouble anyway and draining the filter won't solve it.

[ndutton]

Further, my policy is filter cartridges are consumables and that includes a polishing filter (which I choose not to have).

BTW, I run on a steady diet of ethanol laced fuel (California), no problem.

[joe_db]

Further, my policy is filter cartridges are consumables and that includes a polishing filter (which I choose not to have).

BTW, I run on a steady diet of ethanol laced fuel (California), no problem.

Ethanol gas is all we have here too. It is fine until water gets in it, filters won't fix that. A new fuel fill cap O-ring does though

[ndutton]

It (ethanol) is fine until water gets in it, filters won't fix that.

Exactly. I've said it before, I'm much more interested in keeping water out than dealing with it where it doesn't belong. The discussion begs the question though, why do you guys have so much rust? Leaky boats? Climate? No dehumidifiers over the winter? California boy asking.

[joe_db]

Exactly. I've said it before, I'm much more interested in keeping water out than dealing with it where it doesn't belong. The discussion begs the question though, why do you guys have so much rust? Leaky boats? Climate? No dehumidifiers over the winter? California boy asking.

My Sierra filters don't rust in a year, I don't keep them longer than that. The polishing filter is probably ten years old at this point.