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Author Topic:   Fuel-Water Separators

Waccamaw Whaler posted 01-06-2010 09:17 PM ET (US)
I just finished reading the article on fuel-water separators in the Reference section. It appears that the Racor filter is rated best and the Tempo is a very close second. The replacement element for the Racor is about $20 and the Tempo can be purchased on e-bay for less than $5 (in case lots of 12). Can the Tempo filter element be attached to the clear plastic bottom of Racor?.
I currently have a Bombardier-Evinrude bracket and the Racor filter with the clear bottom and drain valve. It's a great unit, but it would be nice to save a few dollars on the replacement element.
Does anyone know if the Tempo filter can be used with the Racor clear bottom? I'm not near the boat and don't remember if the clear bottom screws off but I suspect it does. I also suspect that the Racor element is 'open' on the bottom whereas the Tempo is probably closed and would not work with the Racor clear bottom.
I do understand from the reference article that I can use the Tempo filter on my existing bracket. I just wouldn't have the clear bottom with the drain valve.
I also spent a lot of time reading through numerous posts here to get an idea how often these filters should be changed, especially the Raycor that you can see if water is present. Is it necessary to change it at all if there is no sign of water or other contaminants in the bowl? What is the longest time in hours before it should be replaced?
Ron
Lil Whaler Lover posted 01-06-2010 11:03 PM ET (US)
The Bombardier-Evinrude bracket used to have a larger hole (the threaded part) than any other brand. This may apply to your set up. If it does, then your choices will be more limited.
The Racor bowl is the best way to check for water in your fuel. If you see a layer of a different color in it you can drain the water off. Moeller and Sea Choice now offers a less expensive version of the clear bowl filter, and if Sierra does not yet, it will soon.
I would not tie my future to Tempo as they went out of business about 2 years ago. Moeller has filled any voids in the marine market left by Tempo.
jimh posted 01-07-2010 09:07 AM ET (US)
The filter manifold used on OMC and BRP engines has a different diameter threaded connector for spinning on the filter. RACOR makes a filter that fits the OMC-BRP manifold. I imagine other brands may also have a special version of the filter for OMC-BRP installations.
Tempo is out of business. If you find Tempo products on the shelf they are probably old stock.
I have never tried fitting different components of the filter together using different brand elements. If you try it, let us know the results.
My RACOR fuel filter has been in place for three seasons. In the clear bowl I see no sign of water or other contaminants. Therefore I don't plan to replace the filter. When I do see some sign of water, I would drain the water from the bowl, not change the whole filter.
In installations of a filter like a RACOR fuel filter there is often a vacuum gauge rigged across the filter that shows the amount of suction created across the filter. The suction across the filter is used as the basis for changing the filter. When the filter becomes clogged the pressure drop across the filter increases, and this provides an indication of when to change it. In recreational boat applications it is unlikely the engine could accumulate enough hours to warrant this type of installation, and most filters are not installed with a vacuum gauge rigged across them. Filters on recreational boats are probably changed when they become old and begin to suffer from corrosion, or when there is some sign of a problem, or when the bowl fills with contaminants.
Waccamaw Whaler posted 01-07-2010 01:41 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the heads-up on the Tempo. I didn't know they were out of business.
My logic is pretty much in sync with Jim's. With that in mind I probably won't try substituting filter elements with the Raycor. If I can get more that one season out of a Raycor element I don't mind paying the $20. I just hope we have no regrets further down the line.
Phil T posted 01-07-2010 07:14 PM ET (US)
Sierra makes replacement cartridges in at least 3 different thread diameters.
When visiting Hamilton Marine, I was shocked with all the size and thread permutations Sierra made.
hank119 posted 01-08-2010 12:46 AM ET (US)
Moellor purchased all the assets of Tempo. This includes their designs, etc. If you go to the Moellor web site you'll see cross references to Tempo part numbers. Although Tempo is out of business some of their products seem to be part of the Moellor line. It's not clear if Moellor is continuing to produce some Tempo parts under the Tempo brand or rebranding under the Moellor name.

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Author	Topic: Fuel-Water Separators
Waccamaw Whaler	posted 01-06-2010 09:17 PM ET (US) I just finished reading the article on fuel-water separators in the Reference section. It appears that the Racor filter is rated best and the Tempo is a very close second. The replacement element for the Racor is about $20 and the Tempo can be purchased on e-bay for less than $5 (in case lots of 12). Can the Tempo filter element be attached to the clear plastic bottom of Racor?. I currently have a Bombardier-Evinrude bracket and the Racor filter with the clear bottom and drain valve. It's a great unit, but it would be nice to save a few dollars on the replacement element. Does anyone know if the Tempo filter can be used with the Racor clear bottom? I'm not near the boat and don't remember if the clear bottom screws off but I suspect it does. I also suspect that the Racor element is 'open' on the bottom whereas the Tempo is probably closed and would not work with the Racor clear bottom. I do understand from the reference article that I can use the Tempo filter on my existing bracket. I just wouldn't have the clear bottom with the drain valve. I also spent a lot of time reading through numerous posts here to get an idea how often these filters should be changed, especially the Raycor that you can see if water is present. Is it necessary to change it at all if there is no sign of water or other contaminants in the bowl? What is the longest time in hours before it should be replaced? Ron
Lil Whaler Lover	posted 01-06-2010 11:03 PM ET (US) The Bombardier-Evinrude bracket used to have a larger hole (the threaded part) than any other brand. This may apply to your set up. If it does, then your choices will be more limited. The Racor bowl is the best way to check for water in your fuel. If you see a layer of a different color in it you can drain the water off. Moeller and Sea Choice now offers a less expensive version of the clear bowl filter, and if Sierra does not yet, it will soon. I would not tie my future to Tempo as they went out of business about 2 years ago. Moeller has filled any voids in the marine market left by Tempo.
jimh	posted 01-07-2010 09:07 AM ET (US) The filter manifold used on OMC and BRP engines has a different diameter threaded connector for spinning on the filter. RACOR makes a filter that fits the OMC-BRP manifold. I imagine other brands may also have a special version of the filter for OMC-BRP installations. Tempo is out of business. If you find Tempo products on the shelf they are probably old stock. I have never tried fitting different components of the filter together using different brand elements. If you try it, let us know the results. My RACOR fuel filter has been in place for three seasons. In the clear bowl I see no sign of water or other contaminants. Therefore I don't plan to replace the filter. When I do see some sign of water, I would drain the water from the bowl, not change the whole filter. In installations of a filter like a RACOR fuel filter there is often a vacuum gauge rigged across the filter that shows the amount of suction created across the filter. The suction across the filter is used as the basis for changing the filter. When the filter becomes clogged the pressure drop across the filter increases, and this provides an indication of when to change it. In recreational boat applications it is unlikely the engine could accumulate enough hours to warrant this type of installation, and most filters are not installed with a vacuum gauge rigged across them. Filters on recreational boats are probably changed when they become old and begin to suffer from corrosion, or when there is some sign of a problem, or when the bowl fills with contaminants.
Waccamaw Whaler	posted 01-07-2010 01:41 PM ET (US) Thanks for the heads-up on the Tempo. I didn't know they were out of business. My logic is pretty much in sync with Jim's. With that in mind I probably won't try substituting filter elements with the Raycor. If I can get more that one season out of a Raycor element I don't mind paying the $20. I just hope we have no regrets further down the line.
Phil T	posted 01-07-2010 07:14 PM ET (US) Sierra makes replacement cartridges in at least 3 different thread diameters. When visiting Hamilton Marine, I was shocked with all the size and thread permutations Sierra made.
hank119	posted 01-08-2010 12:46 AM ET (US) Moellor purchased all the assets of Tempo. This includes their designs, etc. If you go to the Moellor web site you'll see cross references to Tempo part numbers. Although Tempo is out of business some of their products seem to be part of the Moellor line. It's not clear if Moellor is continuing to produce some Tempo parts under the Tempo brand or rebranding under the Moellor name.