Albin28/30 Fuel Filters

[johnmurray]

My engine (Yanmar 315) fuel system has two fuel filters, a primary Racor filter separate from the engine and a secondary Yanmar filter built into the engine. As my engine is near the 250 hour mark, I asked my mechanic to replace both filters.
The primary Racor filter, which is easy to get at, showed a moderate amount of darkening suggesting that replacement of the element was appropriate. The engine filter however was extemely difficult to access and remove, in part because it was painted in along with the rest of the engine at the factory and also because a fuel line had to be disconnected to remove the cannister. Also the mechanic had to take the cannister to his mobile shop to get the water sensor off the bottom of the filter. When we inspected the filter there was no sign of any contamination or dirt, suggesting the the primary filter was doing its job. and replacement of the secondary filter was unecessary.
A fellow boat club member (not an Albin owner) told me that while he replaces the element in his primary filter annually, in many years of boating he has never touched his secondary (engine) filter.
Does anyone have any views on this? Is it really necessary to replace the engine filter and if so, how often?

[DougSea]

I'm new to the diesel world so I don't have a lot of experience with the issue of fuel filters, and specifically secondaries vs. primaries (but hey, that's never stopped me from having an opinion! )

I've always been told that one of the few things that can screw up a diesel is bad fuel. Given the relative ease with which I can change both filters on my Peninsular I'm sure I'll always do both at the same time. Now that you know what's involved in changing both of yours on the Yanmar I'd view it as cheap insurance. At least the new secondary’s not painted on anymore!

Just my 2 cents...

Doug

[Mariner]

Been boating with diesels for about 16 years. Never once replaced a primary (on engine) filter. If you have a good 10 micron element in your secondary (Racor or other) filter, then you shouldn't ever really need to replace the primary. Still, you should always carry a spare primary filter in case you have a problem and need to replace it ASAP. I usually don't replace the secondary until the engine starts to show hesitation or not achieve proper cruising RPMs. This is a much easier and safer way to do it if you have a dual filter/bypass arrangement where you can quickly and easily flip a lever and alternate between two secondary filters. That way you can run each filter until it is truly obstructed and still be able to change out the dirty one while safely at the dock, or even while still running (via the other filter). This is how all the commercial boats are equipped.

[jleonard]

If the filter has a waterblock element it will lose it's effectiveness after about a year.
So annual changes make sense.
Plus leave it in there too long and it may be a real bear to break loose.
I've been shut down in the past due to bad fuel/clogged filters. So I believe in changing them at least annually.
But that's me.
Hope this helps.