Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

[frank5465]

i have a Racor Fuel/Water Filter/separator and though i have gas in my tank when i prime the bulb to get fuel NOTHING comes thru line to get in Glass bowl of separator, so i noticed the glass bowl didnt have a tight fit (it did months ago) so i bought new one and placed it on, nothing , then i hooked up the outboards fuel line with the gas tanks out going line and when i primed it fuel came out of hose mind you i just put the bulb into the tanks outgoing fuel line i didnt clamp anything and started priming the bulb and as mentioned fuel just started coming out so my issue appears to be from the Racor 320-R Rac-01 unit, i dont want to buy a whole new unit just yet, i took unit apart and cleaned it out and put it back together and still No fuel is being drawn into to Fuel/water separator help!!!!!!!!!:faint2:any suggestions would be great

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

Flow direction? Are you following the in/out arrows?

 

[frank5465]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

Flow direction? Are you following the in/out arrows?

yes i am there are 3 ports total and 2 ports with arrows going in one has a dummy nut and the other has a 90 elbow that the main fuel goes in there is another marked OUT with a 90 elbow on that so the hose with with primer bulb that goes to the outboard is hooked up to that, this problem just happened about a month ago

 

[frank5465]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

im assuming somewhere there is a leak and there is not a vacuum being created

 

[dingbat]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

There is nothing to go wrong with the filter itself.
Did you remember to install the o-ring on the sight glass? Make sure the seal is installed correctly on top of the filter. Remove the fuel line from the primer bulb on the fuel pump side and give it a try.

 

[limitout]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

it takes like forever to get those things primed and working using the bulb so prefill the filter with gas then disconnect the motor connector from the bulb line then hold your thumb over the end of the fuel line and pump the bulb. this will let the air out but not back in and when you start getting fuel put the connector back on and a few more pumps should see the bulb getting hard. I have to do this every time I replace a filter.

 

[frank5465]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

it takes like forever to get those things primed and working using the bulb so prefill the filter with gas then disconnect the motor connector from the bulb line then hold your thumb over the end of the fuel line and pump the bulb. this will let the air out but not back in and when you start getting fuel put the connector back on and a few more pumps should see the bulb getting hard. I have to do this every time I replace a filter.

Limitout will try this tomorrow after work and cross my fingers this works cause im so frustrated the filter is bone dry and brand new both element and the clear plastic bottom bowl ill post my results tomorrow night

 

[dingbat]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

The primer bulb has a one way valve built in. If you have to hold your finger over the end to create a vacuum on the fuel side,your primer bulb is bad or installed backwards. Should be able to fill a racor in a half dozen pumps unless you have a leak in the fuel system.

 

[limitout]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

The primer bulb has a one way valve built in. If you have to hold your finger over the end to create a vacuum on the fuel side,your primer bulb is bad or installed backwards. Should be able to fill a racor in a half dozen pumps unless you have a leak in the fuel system.

of course it does but you aren't doing this to take the place of the check valve, you do this to speed up the priming process, if you don't your passing gas through the much smaller openings in the fitting which takes longer. having done this many times with long fuel lines it cuts the priming time in half when you remove the restrictive motor connection from the line and you cant just unplug it or it seals shut.

as for filling a racor in 6 pumps, that's an awfull liberal guestimate but we aren't talking about a primed system, we are talking about a system filled with air, you cant compare the two. and last time I checked 6 pumps got you maybe 1 cup of gas, not a full quart of gas out of it, it takes an average of 2-3 pumps on a primed system just to fill the 5/16" fuel line from the bulb to the motor to harden the bulb to start the engine

 

[dingbat]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

of course it does but you aren't doing this to take the place of the check valve, you do this to speed up the priming process, if you don't your passing gas through the much smaller openings in the fitting which takes longer. having done this many times with long fuel lines it cuts the priming time in half when you remove the restrictive motor connection from the line and you cant just unplug it or it seals shut.

as for filling a racor in 6 pumps, that's an awfull liberal guestimate but we aren't talking about a primed system, we are talking about a system filled with air, you cant compare the two. and last time I checked 6 pumps got you maybe 1 cup of gas, not a full quart of gas out of it, it takes an average of 2-3 pumps on a primed system just to fill the 5/16" fuel line from the bulb to the motor to harden the bulb to start the engine

My filter is on the vacuum side of the bulb so I'm passing nothing but air thru the "much smaller openings" until after the Racor is full. With the anti-siphon valve in the system to prevent draw back, it's takes no time at all to fill the filter and the 6' of 3/8" hose between the filter and the fuel pump.

I typically don't even need to prime the filter. Change filter, start motor, let the fuel pump fill the bowl. If for some chance it will not start, pop fuel line off bulb on the motor side to get rid of the vacuum lock, give the bulb a half a dozen or so squeezes to fill the bowl and I'm good to go.

Maybe you have a leak or something. Unless my boat has sit for a couple of days or I've tilted the motor up, it doesn't take more than a squeeze or two to firm up the bulb.

 

[frank5465]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

Limitout will try this tomorrow after work and cross my fingers this works cause im so frustrated the filter is bone dry and brand new both element and the clear plastic bottom bowl ill post my results tomorrow night

Limitout it worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! woooooooooooooHoooooooooooooooooooooo!!! i filled filter/water separator with gas i hooked all hoses Gas from tank into port and the the out port to the motor with the fuel line to the motor i initially tried to prime the line with my finger over the end of the hose where the adapter was (removed this) with my finger on the end of the tube No dice, once i took my finger off end and just put it into an empty gas can after about 8 or 9 squeezes of the primer bulb i had a steady flow of gas i hooked adapter back into fuel hose then placed it in back of outboard 3 or 4 squeeze of primer bulb started motor let it run for about 10 minutes to be sure gas is continuing thru gas/water separator and success Limitout i owe you one thanks as this was my first time i ever had the the unit bone dry thanks again

 

[limitout]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

i initially tried to prime the line with my finger over the end of the hose where the adapter was (removed this) with my finger on the end of the tube No dice,

maybe I wasn't saying it right but the idea is to just cover the end before letting go of the bulb to ensure no air gets back into the line.

if you hold your finger over the end the whole time its harder to pump the air out but you got it so no worries :rockon:

 

[boobie]

Re: Not getting fuel thru my Fuel/Water separator!!!

One thing to do is put the primer bulb on the tank side of the filter. That way it's easier to fill the filter when you change it and check for any leaks.