Racor Fuel Filter

[dbruce85]

As we are getting closer to the sailing season here in Canada, I am starting to think more about the boat.
I have a Racor fuel filter as the primary filter on a Universal 5411. Last season was my 1st. with this boat. After about 10/15 hours of running the fuel was down about an inch or so in the glass bottle. I did change the filter so it was clean. Topped it up and the same thing happened again.
Is this normal or is there a small air leak.
Thanks
David

[pdqaltair]

That's only normal when there's a leak.

I've run them for many years, both on boilers and in boats.

[Rockter]

Bruce :

You are drawing air, my friend.

You may think of using a pressurised system.

Any of these pumps will do it....

Electric Fuel Pumps - Stewart Warner

They are not expensive, at about $80 or so.

Using a pressurised system will add to the fire risk, but the starting reliability of the motor is transformed. You can put the fuel pump on an on/off switch. Once fitted, you simply cannot get an air leak downstream of the pump. You can get the occasional fuel leak, but you see where it is leaking out and you can fix it.

Crucially, the motor won't stop in the meantime.

Without the electric pump, I had the motor stop more often that I could tolerate.