I'm not sure where I read this, but a while back I read that my RACOR filter leak might be caused by bubbling paint between the filter gasket and the filter housing. I took off the filter and examined the unit. Lo and behold, the paint was indeed bubbling up precisely where the filter gasket comes in contact with the housing. So I took some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper to the surface until it was smooth and voila, problem solved.
—
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Joel, that was my post. It took me a long time to locate the problem.
To see the post perform a search for fuel leak on engine.
Good fix.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Well thank you, sir....if it was your post that I read, you sure saved me a lot of aggravation! Looks like a design flaw that is probably happening to a lot more sailors than know about the problem. In your case/discovery, just goes to show a little bit of investigation goes a long way!
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Hi Joel. I am having an issue with a slow dripping leak at the RACOR fuel filter on my C36 2164 M35B.
Was your 'bubbling paint' you described the paint on the actual RACOR unit above the filter?
Or the bubbling paint on the plywood sidewall (to which the RACOR is mounted) getting between the filter housing and the gasket?
Steven Jones
C36/375IA FaceBook group administrator
C36/375IA Jib Sheet Editor 2012
Seal Beach, CA, USA
C36 #2164 Maléna 2003 Mk-II SRig/FullK, Long Beach, CA
stevenjones21@gmail.com
Hi, the bubbling paint was under the filter housing, above the filter.
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
FWIW;
I experienced an issue with my Racor this weekend that sent me into a spin and that might be worthy of mention. The Racor (I have a 200 series that came with the boat) uses nylon parts for the sealing of pressure and relief valves, those little white nuts that surround the top of the filter assembly. Diesel fuel and time are not overly friendly toward nylon parts. I had a fuel starvation issue while out at sea. Investigation showed that one of the nylon nuts at the top of the filter had come apart and caused an air/fuel leak. Since parts are un-available for these Racor filters, the only solution was to replace the filter housing which I did. Cost $119.00.
So if you wind up with a slight fuel air leak, which is usually identified by a wildly varying RPM, be sure to check nylon nuts for leaks in your older Racor filter.
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'
Here is my original post
https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/racor-filter-leak
Shut off the fuel valve that is on the fuel tank, remove the upper part of the fuel filter, turn it over and sand off the entire rim with 400 grit sand paper. Clean thoroughly and reassemble. No more leaks.
Sail La Vie 1999 Catalina 36 MKII, M35B-17031, Coyote Point, San Mateo, CA
About Sail La Vie
Haro;
I can easily see how diesel fuel can dissolve the paint in that area especially where friction fittings are involved. My problem was that the diesel fuel combined with age and vibration actually caused a failure of the nylon check ball cap at the top of the filter and this, in turn, caused an air - fuel leak. I'm guessing that if one has a problem with their Racor 200 series (original equipment water separating filter) and it an old one, it might be better just to replace the whole assembly. Price for a new 200 series filter housing, including a new filter is $100 to $120.
Thanks for the tip,
Bill
Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041 'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'