Cleaning Racor filters

[Mambo42]

I went about changing all the fuel filters in the racors and saw that the bottom part of the filter housing (the transparent part) is becoming a bit frosted. The housing is probably 10 - 15 years old, they function fine, but I would like to clean up the transparent part. Currently it is not that easy to see debris or water in the filter, I really have to get close and hold a light against it.
Of course I can buy complete new filter housings, but since I have 6 of them it is going to be a pricy undertaking, which I would like to avoid, especially since they do the job perfectly.
Is there anything that I can use to remove that frosty look ? (almost like cleaning head lights) On top of that, I will need to disassemble the whole housing, is it possible to find the O-rings or are they special order ?
Thanks

 

[Comodave]

I put an LED behind my Racors in our last boat it made it easy to see what was in them. You could use a headlight polishing kit to clean them up. I got parts from racorstore.com.

 

[O C Diver]

The bowl is replaceable as a separate item. If you go online and search "Racor and the model number", you will find a schematic for each model with the associated part numbers. Then Google Racor and the part number. In addition to the bowl, I would get the seal to the housing and the seal to the drain assembly.

If you plan to clean the bowl, be cautious of what chemicals you use. I tried carburetor cleaner and had to replace the bowl on my charter boat separator. As a general rule of thumb, I only use diesel fuel as a cleaner with a soft rag.

Ted

 

[Lepke]

If it's a Racor you can buy the bowl.

Racor RK 11-1606-1 | Fisheries Supply

Save More on Your Racor #RK 11-1606-1 Turbine Series Replacement Parts, Clear Bowl Replacement Kit 900, 1000MA Series at Fisheries Supply. Excellent Customer Service, Ready to Ship. Marine Supplies Since 1928!

www.fisheriessupply.com

 

[Mambo42]

I put an LED behind my Racors in our last boat it made it easy to see what was in them. You could use a headlight polishing kit to clean them up. I got parts from racorstore.com.

A light behind it is indeed a great idea. At the moment the background is dark, so that would definitely help. Thanks.

 

[Mambo42]

The bowl is replaceable as a separate item. If you go online and search "Racor and the model number", you will find a schematic for each model with the associated part numbers. Then Google Racor and the part number. In addition to the bowl, I would get the seal to the housing and the seal to the drain assembly.

If you plan to clean the bowl, be cautious of what chemicals you use. I tried carburetor cleaner and had to replace the bowl on my charter boat separator. As a general rule of thumb, I only use diesel fuel as a cleaner with a soft rag.

Ted

Will pass the info to my chandler in Corfu, maybe he can order it for me. Since we are continuously on the move I cannot order it myself, it would arrive when we are long gone again. We will see him again in a couple of weeks, so perhaps it can arrive by that time.
Thanks for the tips of trying to clean it, will forget about that now, cannot have it that I need to replace it, because I don't have a spare onboard at the moment, can't run the risk.

 

[Mambo42]

If it's a Racor you can buy the bowl.

Racor RK 11-1606-1 | Fisheries Supply

Save More on Your Racor #RK 11-1606-1 Turbine Series Replacement Parts, Clear Bowl Replacement Kit 900, 1000MA Series at Fisheries Supply. Excellent Customer Service, Ready to Ship. Marine Supplies Since 1928!

www.fisheriessupply.com

Will see if I can order it via my chandler, so that it will be there when we arrive in a couple of weeks.

 

[Hippocampus]

through the years I’ve just replaced them. My concern is not only hazing but think they get brittle. Can envision a crack causing an air leak or breaking altogether. So when hazy would replace. Same with the plastic tops of strainers.

 

[Comodave]

A light behind it is indeed a great idea. At the moment the background is dark, so that would definitely help. Thanks.

I put the LEDs behind the Racors on the engine room light circuit so whenever I turned on the ER lights the Racors would light up yoo.

 

[Iggy]

I this bought rebuild this kit and cleaned the bowl. https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/product/product-detail/6448 for $55. I found it cheaper than Jamestown but I don't remember where.