Water separator/fuel filter, bowl failure.

[negoc8]

Just a word of caution. The plastic bowl on my water separator has literally melted from the inside out. I am planning a trip for Tomorrow and figured with all the hubbub about the ethanol in the gas, I would swap out my filter and check things over. The hard plastic see-thru bowl, had turned milky yellow and you could pinch it like a balloon. Had to bypass the whole filter and install an in-line setup. Anyone ever seen this type of failure? Or should I chalk it up to ethanol?

[riverhawk]

the metal bowl units are made for gas not plastic ones

[negoc8]

Originally Posted by riverhawk

the metal bowl units are made for gas not plastic ones

Pretty sure this was a factory installed unit by Alumaweld. Performed great since 1994?

[Danno]

Originally Posted by riverhawk

the metal bowl units are made for gas not plastic ones

I think that's incorrect. The metal bowls are made for inboard engines because of regulations (CG?). The plastic ones are made for gasoline and should be able to handle ethanol as well but maybe the blend of the two is causing a problem. I'm a plastics engineer so let me check some things out.

[fishwhenican]

Originally Posted by riverhawk

the metal bowl units are made for gas not plastic ones

As a dealer for Racor (now part of Parker Hannifin), I can say that Danno is correct. The blue plastic bowls are for gas outboard applications where heat is not an issue, Metal bowls must be used on inboard applications.

[Gundog]

I have one of those on my boat I will be checking it.
Mike

[namu mac]

Originally Posted by negoc8

Just a word of caution. The plastic bowl on my water separator has literally melted from the inside out. I am planning a trip for Tomorrow and figured with all the hubbub about the ethanol in the gas, I would swap out my filter and check things over. The hard plastic see-thru bowl, had turned milky yellow and you could pinch it like a balloon. Had to bypass the whole filter and install an in-line setup. Anyone ever seen this type of failure? Or should I chalk it up to ethanol?

E-10- send the bill to the government.

[fishkisser]

You should be able to get an all metal filter if its a spin on type and not a canister ...
You will not have the visual inspection option but I have never needed it changing it out once a year anyhoo ...

[jager]

maybe just the fact that it is 14 years old and soaked in fuel everyday.. just an idea..

[Danno]

I just got this note back from Racor/Parker:

The plastic is from Dow Chemical 301 Polyurethane Isoplast. it will handle the new ethanol.

I am familiar with Isoplast and it is probably the most chemical resistance plastic out there that is transparent and it's not cheap. Dow specifically targets the fuel/chemical sight bowl applications.

[negoc8]

So is that a replacement part? I'll try to get some pics of the damage, just for reference.

[negoc8]

[Danno]

That looks nasty. Did you use as fuel additives or clean it in any solvents?

Manufacturers only test plastics for a couple of years and then they extrapolate the data. 14 years could be off of their charts. They do make integrated filter/bowl assemblies now. Don't use a see through if the filter is in an enclosed area where it can be exposed to heat or sparks. I also suggest finding one with a SS mount adapter instead of the painted aluminum. The aluminum will eventually corrode in a salt environment.

[negoc8]

Originally Posted by Danno

That looks nasty. Did you use as fuel additives or clean it in any solvents?

Manufacturers only test plastics for a couple of years and then they extrapolate the data. 14 years could be off of their charts. They do make integrated filter/bowl assemblies now. Don't use a see through if the filter is in an enclosed area where it can be exposed to heat or sparks. I also suggest finding one with a SS mount adapter instead of the painted aluminum. The aluminum will eventually corrode in a salt environment.

No changes, just premium and oil, thats it. Makes me wonder if I fueled up with a bad batch of gas last time.

[fishkisser]

I think you need one of these ...
http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=85448F
I carry a couple of extra filters on the boat just in case ...

[Gundog]

My racor plastic bowl looks much different than that one it is a lot shorter unless that one has stretched out.

[StickFish]

Originally Posted by negoc8

No changes, just premium and oil, thats it. Makes me wonder if I fueled up with a bad batch of gas last time.

Nope, looks like you should have changed that filter out the first time in 1995 and again each year there after.

[negoc8]

The actual filter is fine. The plastic plastic is melted from the inside out. It turned soft like it had been soaked in acid of some kind.
Just trying to let people know to check things out. I WAS a non believer as far as damages from todays fuel on older rigs. Not anymore.

[Danno]

I should note that my information was based on Racor's filters and bowls. Who knows what plastic was used on Negoc8's boat if it was from a different manufacturer.