Racor vs Updated Fuel Filter Assembly

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

Is there a preferred choice today?
Why would one be chosen over the other?
I know the Racor does 2 micron. What does stock do?
Does one need the lift for the Racor to work well?

I think my fuel filter assembly is the old style and needs replacing before it gives me problems, I will check this evening.

Here is the install write up I found for the Racor: http://auerbach.ca/kj/racor/

APC9199 · **Posted:** Wed May 09, 2018 12:19 pm

In my opinion, the RACOR is overkill. It is a great unit and offers more options for filtration and also things like clear sight bowls for water-in-fuel identification. For most people, the Gen2 OEM filter head is fine and is a direct replacement with only 2 wires needing to be spliced. I will say that the need for better-than-OEM filtration is becoming more evident as more people approach 200k with these vehicles. Injectors that should last as long as the vehicle are starting to malfunction too early in their life cycle. OEM filtration is only something like 20 to 30 micron. However, I don't think a single 2-micron unit is the best choice either. You're leaving all of your filtration demands up to a very fine element that will clog very quickly and need to be changed often. Most people with 2-micron filtration have opted for a 2 filter head design, which saves the 2-micron unit a lot of stress. There are multiple writeups available for different 2-micron secondary filter setups. I am even toying with the idea of a billet fuel filter head which will accept two filter units and mount in the OEM location. I don't like the DIY options that are available as they take up too much space and look relatively unsightly.

As far as a lift pump is concerned...yes...get one. It doesn't matter which filter head you use, you should have a lift pump!

If your filter head does NOT have a blue electrical connector, it is the old style.

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

Thanks for the reply.

I think I am going to get the FACET #40222 for a lift pump:
https://www.amazon.com/DIESEL-DURA-LIFT ... -LIFT+fuel

I can't believe it is only 30 micron! I'm pretty sure my 85 Mercedes 300D had 10 micron! The Racor has three filter options: 30,10,2
http://auerbach.ca/kj/racor/racor.pdf

Here is a Crown 52129238AA 3 micron option that is supposed to fit onto the stock setup:
https://www.amazon.com/Liberty-Filter-D ... B00BA75WUK

It seems like using the stock setup with the 3 micron Crown filter might be the way to go. I hope mine is the updated filter head.

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

hmmmm, the only place I can find the micron rating for the CROWN 52129238AA is that one Amazon add.

I am reading posts that the updated filter is 3, 10, or maybe 30 micron. It seems at some point the filter changed but I don't know what the new rating is.

APC9199 · **Posted:** Wed May 09, 2018 5:16 pm

I personally wouldn't put any Crown part on my vehicle, especially in the fuel system. Their parts are known for nothing but poor performance and early failure. The last thing you want is something coming apart in the filter and heading down stream to the CP3. $1000 repair for a $10 filter, no thanks. I still think a single 2-micron filter is a bad idea, but others who might have done the same thing may prove me wrong.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed May 09, 2018 8:18 pm

The suspended abrasive bits that cause the most wear in any hydraulic system are 5-7 microns.

Current fuels have far less sulfur cushioning than the fuels of a decade ago, hence the need for finer filtration.

So the problem is not only what's IN the fuel, but equally with what's been removed.

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

The reason sulfur is in fuel is because it is naturally occurring in crude. The refineries need to use natural gas, steam, and a catalyst to make hydrogen. The hydrogen is then used to pull nitrogen and sulfur out of the fuel through another series of catalysts and washes. I know because I work with refineries. I have literally seen the end product, solid yellow sulfur.

The sulfur has been removed because it makes particulate and acid rain. SOx made acid rain that was actually changing ambient soil PH and eroding rocks/statues. It was starting to wreak havoc on the environment on a large scale. It is a separate issue from the fuel quality itself.

The tolerance of particles in diesel fuel systems is dramatically less than it once was. Clearances and pathways are less. What would have been not such a big deal in wear would now wreck a common rail system. My mechaincally injected Mercedes 300D would eat gravey all day long and be perfectly happy about it.

We kinda need to find out the stock filters micron level to properly add to the onboard filtration system.

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Fri May 11, 2018 6:50 am

I have some information that may help, Collated by WWDiesel.

I will try to forward you the email.

EDIT - Ok for some reason it doesn't copy and paste effectively from Gmail to here, and I can't seem to forward a gmail through this system.
I'm hoping WWDiesel will see this and post his diesel fuel filter information chart. It's the most comprehensive I've seen so far, and he's designed a great bracket allowing 2 stage filtration to the old 2 micron rating, as well as a racor water separation bowl.

95Z28A4 · **Joined:** Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:53 am **Posts:** 297

Wix replacement filter 33647 is 10 micron. I used the WIX filter before I replaced the filter head with a Racor unit. I now use the Racor 2 micron filters.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2018 3:12 pm

GordnadoCRD wrote:

I have some information that may help, Collated by WWDiesel.
I will try to forward you the email.
EDIT - Ok for some reason it doesn't copy and paste effectively from Gmail to here, and I can't seem to forward a gmail through this system.
I'm hoping WWDiesel will see this and post his diesel fuel filter information chart. It's the most comprehensive I've seen so far, and he's designed a great bracket allowing 2 stage filtration to the old 2 micron rating, as well as a racor water separation bowl.

This is what I have on file:

Primary OEM filters, uses OEM WIF sensor:

Primary NON-OEM filters that fit the OEM filter head.
Uses Racor 1/2"x20 WIF sensor and can use Donaldson Clear Water Bowl:

Secondary 2 micron fuel filters, (if installed):

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Sun May 13, 2018 8:35 pm

That's the one, Thanks.

Hoping there's something in there that can help.

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

How long are the 2 micron filters lasting? Any experience out there?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2018 3:27 pm

Science and Energy wrote:

How long are the 2 micron filters lasting? Any experience out there?

I have a gauge, post secondary filter, and it has never shown a problem with a drop in pressure.
I changed the secondary fuel filter one time just because I wanted to as it had been in use for about 2 years.
If you purchase clean fuel and have a good primary fuel filter like the 11 micron rating one I am running, there should not be much for the 2 micron secondary filter to capture.....

:SOMBRERO:

SargeIndustries · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2018 3:55 pm

Science and Energy wrote:

How long are the 2 micron filters lasting? Any experience out there?

I get a couple years out of my 2 micron CAT filter. It is a much larger filter than stock. I only use the one filter.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2018 5:23 pm

SargeIndustries wrote:

Science and Energy wrote:

How long are the 2 micron filters lasting? Any experience out there?

I get a couple years out of my 2 micron CAT filter. It is a much larger filter than stock. I only use the one filter.

The Donaldson P551313 2 micron secondary fuel filter I have in service is the same size as the CAT 1R-0750 filter.
Both are equally very good fuel filters!

Science and Energy · **Joined:** Thu Mar 30, 2017 9:12 am **Posts:** 246

Do these filters fit the stock housing? Does the threaded portion need swapped?

GordnadoCRD · **Posted:** Wed May 16, 2018 10:54 pm

Takes a little work, but :BINGO:

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2018 8:30 am

Science and Energy wrote:

Do these filters fit the stock housing? Does the threaded portion need swapped?

They do NOT fit the stock filter head.
They are for having a secondary filter after the OEM primary fuel filter and require an aftermarket filter head like one of the following listed below:
Baldwin FB1311
Fleetguard -- 142784S
Donaldson -- Part No. P562261 P562262
Fram -- K3926M
Wix 24770 / NAPA 4770 Filter Base

If you want a much better micron filter that will fit the OEM filter head, you could install a Donaldson P551615 (3 micron) but you will have to change the WIF sensor to the Racor 1/2x20 (RK 30964) WIF sensor.

When installing either a much lower micron primary fuel filter or the addition of a low micron secondary fuel filter, it is almost a must that you have an intank fuel pump or inline fuel pump installed. :roll:

Picture showing both OEM and added secondary fuel filter heads:

k9adv · **Posted:** Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:03 pm

WWDiesel wrote:

Science and Energy wrote:

How long are the 2 micron filters lasting? Any experience out there?

I have a gauge, post secondary filter, and it has never shown a problem with a drop in pressure.
I changed the secondary fuel filter one time just because I wanted to as it had been in use for about 2 years.
If you purchase clean fuel and have a good primary fuel filter like the 5 micron rating one I am running, there should not be much for the 2 micron secondary filter to capture.....

:SOMBRERO:

Which 5 micron primary are you running? And that is in the stock filter head in your pic?

If it is on the charts/lists you posted, i must've missed it. thanks.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Fri Jul 27, 2018 11:09 am

k9adv wrote:

Which 5 micron primary are you running? And that is in the stock filter head in your pic?
If it is on the charts/lists you posted, i must've missed it. thanks.

I misquoted on the micron rating, it is 11 micron, not 5. Updated post.

Yes it was on the chart:

Racor vs Updated Fuel Filter Assembly

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