Fitted succesfully a extra Racor Fuel filter/ water seperator to a Puma fuel system

[sashadidi]

I have followed the various threads on here regarding a extra fuel filter on a Puma and wondered if it could be done.
It can be and has been done succesfully in NZ, a independent LR service centre fits them and I am the second one with it, the first one was inspired because a guy in the Landrover club got water in the Tank and damaged the Fuel rail etc in the Puma which was over $5000 ( apparently he was lucky it was so cheap!!!!)
His was done a couple of months ago no problem and I have had mine fitted and runs perfectly
From memory use a Racor 230R (10 Micron ) in the line first and then feeds into the LR filter and onwards as per normal.
Had a metal sheild made around to protect as well.
The purpose being to serve as a water seperator etc and has the warning sensor wired into the cab so we can see the warning light/buzzer etc if there is water in the system.
Happy to show picture sometime if required

[TimNZ]

A picture and more information of the unit and its fitting would be much appreciated :)

Thanks,

[newhue]

yep put the pics up.
I have been looking at a RYCO water trap fuel filter for mine, but there is no waning light . I also have come across fuel filters for marine purposes which are an inline thing, but no visibility and relatively cheap. I think the original filter is 2 micron, but aftermarket ones vary from 20 to 30 that I have seen.

I spoke to LR and they are Ok with a second filter to go in before the original. So warranty should not be a hassel.

Blacknight also suggested as a way of fitting an onboard prime prime device would be; fit one if the marine fuel tank hand pumps in line between the tank and original water trap. I like this idea a lot but have done no more home work on it. It was also suggested just make it the biggest hand pump that there is.

[Drover]

Below is from the Davis Performance Landy web site, I checked these out at the sydney 4x4/camping/caravan show last week.

They look the goods but are bit exy at about $1200.00 fitted.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://www.davisperformance.com/davis_performance.data/Diagrams/parts/water_trap2.jpg)
Water Trap

Water Trap
Since the introduction of the Common Rail Diesel engines there has been a large increase in fuel issues with Land Rover vehicles. The main concern is the intake of water through the fuel injection system. If you do get contaminated fuel, any water in the system could result in a complete replacement of the pump and injectors.
Should this occur your warranty would not be recognised until the pump and injectors are replaced at your expense. The installation of the water watch trap assembly from Davis Performance Landys will enhance the original filtration system by collecting the water and give you an audible alarm should water be detected in the fuel.
It will also detect very small amounts of free water, bringing on a LED warning light and audible warning.
Water Watch can also be optioned with the added protection of shut down or back to base warning capability."
"Water Watch" does not replace your vehicles genuine filter assembly, and is fitted prior to the original unit to assist in warning of water entering the vehicle fuel system.
Refuelling from jerry cans can be a common cause of water. Moisture can build up inside empty containers through contraction of the air

[Nera Donna]

Responsive Engineering has a unit that claims to be all singing and dancing - $500 odd. Dont know first hand.

http://www.responsiveengineering.com.au/

Been using Racor and Fleetguard fuel filters and water traps for many years. I know their good.

[PAT303]

The original filter has a water trap and is 5 micron so I don't see the point in fitting a 10 micron filter with water trap.If your worried by a Mr filter funnel and use that when filling up,I do when using jerries. Pat Pat

[Drover]

Responsive Engineering has a unit that claims to be all singing and dancing - $500 odd. Dont know first hand.

Responsive Engineering | Water Testing System | Diesel Filtration | Water Watch (http://www.responsiveengineering.com.au/)

Been using Racor and Fleetguard fuel filters and water traps for many years. I know their good.

These are same device that DPL are selling. At $500 a pop they are much better value.

[sashadidi]

The original filter has a water trap and is 5 micron so I don't see the point in fitting a 10 micron filter with water trap.If your worried by a Mr filter funnel and use that when filling up,I do when using jerries. Pat Pat

The Racor can have a 2 micron, 10 micron or 30 micron filter, the idea here is a water trap and the Racor can apparently hold 58ml of water and gives a buzzing alarm and light warning as soon as water detected and this is before it gets to the LR original filter and potentially overwhelms it and passes it to the Puma fuel rail etc and costs the big bucks. The guy who supplies the filter is doing a good trade also with Toyotas on the diesel Hi Lux and especially the 70 series V8 diesel where it has proved its worth. I know of a crayfish fisherman who has one on his boat and it has saved his engine by giving a warning and he fills up from BP and other Marine places, apparently pump fuel has a small amount of water in it also and combined with condensation in fuel tanks you can get water problems.
Also where I live in Christchurch we have had lots of earthquakes which have damaged underground fuel tanks in service stations and there are water in fuel problems appearing in cars because of this so I will take the security of the water trap thanks!!!!
Have a Racor Fuel filler filter for years and very useful (especially in Russia where a lot of crap and wax type stuff in the Diesel) but not always useable if other people use car etc etc
Also used in Europe : RACOR prefilter (Filters & Snorkels) for Land Rover Defender 90 - Euro4x4parts.com (http://www.euro4x4parts.com/1_service_items_parts/f/racor_prefilter/land_rover/defender_90/)

Each to his own opinion I am glad I have it even if some people think its a waste of time as I do not have up to $5000 plus to spend if I had got a failure of the original LR system.With the Toyota V8 diesels fuel filtering system failing in NZ we have heard of NZ$20000 plus so its cheap insurance from my point of view.

[sashadidi]

Here are some photos
First shows where original and new fuel lines connected
Second: Position of actual Racor and shield facing to the back of the Land rover.
Third :view from underneath
Fourth: Wiring for alarm/buzzer going forward to the cab

[Loubrey]

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest! The amount of water and waste I used to find in my 300Tdi's seperator has left me worried ever since Land Rover stopped fitting them...

Found the Racor 230R (10 Micron) for $250 at Western Filters Online

Air Filters, Oil Filters, Fuel Filters & Filter Cleaning Services - Western Filters offers a range of Filter products for comprehensive coverage for on-highway, off-highway, construction, agricultural, industrial, genset, lift trucks and marine equip (http://www.westernfilters.net.au/product_info.php?cPath=21_42_131&products_id=705)

Now I'll have to see if someone will be selling that armored housing to protect it in the 90's wheel arch...

[sashadidi]

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest! The amount of water and waste I used to find in my 300Tdi's seperator has left me worried ever since Land Rover stopped fitting them...

Found the Racor 230R (10 Micron) for $250 at Western Filters Online

Air Filters, Oil Filters, Fuel Filters & Filter Cleaning Services - Western Filters offers a range of Filter products for comprehensive coverage for on-highway, off-highway, construction, agricultural, industrial, genset, lift trucks and marine equip (http://www.westernfilters.net.au/product_info.php?cPath=21_42_131&products_id=705)

Now I'll have to see if someone will be selling that armored housing to protect it in the 90's wheel arch...
big exhaust pipe!

[Nera Donna]

There was a tread covering this subject a couple of years back. And one of the things that came out of it was the restriction in the fuel lines causing problem with the PT/injection pump. I can’t remember the details, but I did research a Racor filter with a ‘priming pump’ on the filter housing with little to zero flow restriction. I’ll have to see if I can find the filter assembly details, post them up for ‘analyses’.

Update:

My preliminary line of investigation was/is heading down the road of the Racor 445R with the optional water sensor fitted. Available with 2, 10, and 30 micron filters, 170 LPH/45GPH, Max work pressure 30psi/207kpa. I like the idea of the integrated priming pump. Saves a lot of mucking about. At 24cm long it’s not a small unit. Around the $200 mark plus postage. Open for comments for and against? I am no expert on Land Rover fuel systems and I’d hate to give anyone a bum steer.

[sashadidi]

There was a tread covering this subject a couple of years back. And one of the things that came out of it was the restriction in the fuel lines causing problem with the PT/injection pump. I can’t remember the details, but I did research a Racor filter with a ‘priming pump’ on the filter housing with little to zero flow restriction. I’ll have to see if I can find the filter assembly details, post them up for ‘analyses’.

Update:

My preliminary line of investigation was/is heading down the road of the Racor 445R with the optional water sensor fitted. Available with 2, 10, and 30 micron filters, 170 LPH/45GPH, Max work pressure 30psi/207kpa. I like the idea of the integrated priming pump. Saves a lot of mucking about. At 24cm long it’s not a small unit. Around the $200 mark plus postage. Open for comments for and against? I am no expert on Land Rover fuel systems and I’d hate to give anyone a bum steer.
the 230 has a primer as well and low flow restriction

[PAT303]

I've been following this thread with a lot of interest! The amount of water and waste I used to find in my 300Tdi's seperator has left me worried ever since Land Rover stopped fitting them...

Found the Racor 230R (10 Micron) for $250 at Western Filters Online

Air Filters, Oil Filters, Fuel Filters & Filter Cleaning Services - Western Filters offers a range of Filter products for comprehensive coverage for on-highway, off-highway, construction, agricultural, industrial, genset, lift trucks and marine equip (http://www.westernfilters.net.au/product_info.php?cPath=21_42_131&products_id=705)

Now I'll have to see if someone will be selling that armored housing to protect it in the 90's wheel arch...

The boat shop behind the fishing shop across from the shopping center has Racor filter/water traps for $90. Pat

[Davehoos]

I wouldnt bother with a prime pump model.its been a something that iv had to pull apart and clean.all the crud ends up in it.
something about these being reverse flow.

i like the look of the auto prime filters[racor] on transit van and other euro cars.they use a venturi idea.Stanadyne electric lift pump (http://www.dieselpartsdirect.co.uk/Product-575/-fuel-filtration-fuel-filters-/Fuel-Filters/Fuel-Manager/33945)
but not at $400+ and a seporator bowl at the bottom thats an addon deal.

I purchesd many years ago a unit to suit a 13 liter truck.i fitted the shortest fuel filter last time as they never need replacing when on a 2 liter engine.i recently saw another version that had to be stripped down to replace the filter--it had about a dozen bolts around the top.

on our bomag roller with deutz engine it has a rebranded racor unit the elements about 350-450mm tall.these are better than other filters.

[gouldier]

Hi Sashadidi , Gouldier here from Dayboro , I would like to see some photos of your pre filter and guard
Thanks

[sashadidi]

Hi Sashadidi , Gouldier here from Dayboro , I would like to see some photos of your pre filter and guard
Thanks

On page two of this thread:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/149741-fitted-succesfully-extra-racor-fuel-filter-water-seperator-puma-fuel-system-2.html#post1675354

[landybehr]

Hope I may revive the thread.
I see that fitting a pre-filter can be done and has been done, but not very often.
I am still unsure about some points:

The pre-filter will be put in-line before the original filter. There are two fuel lines betwenn it and the tank. One wil be feed and the other return, but how do I know which is which?

What size need to be the hose-end-fittings (nipples/barbs) ? (Inner diameter of the fuel lines).

And can the original fuel lines simply cut and the hose-end-fitting just pushed in and secured by a jubilee clip ? Or is any specific hydraulic fitting (cutting ring i.e) needed or preferred ?

Would it make sense to buy a pre-filter which has a heating element in it, just in case for very cold climates ? Or is this useless as the original filter has no individual heater anyway ?
(I know that heated Diesel returning from the fuel rail is mixed to the "fres" Diesel temperature related - so if the engine is warm no Diesel "freezing" (that paraffine thing) will occur, but to get there the engine will have to be started first and running a while).

Flow rate of 170l/h is ok, understood that. As for the filtration - there are 5, 10 or 30micron spin on filters available. I think that 5um makes no sense as is simpley leads to a doubled main filter. Could as well stay with just one filter and relace it twices as often. But what of the alternatives is best used ?
Is there any adverse effect in any way to the flow rate?

[sashadidi]

Hope I may revive the thread.
I see that fitting a pre-filter can be done and has been done, but not very often.
I am still unsure about some points:

The pre-filter will be put in-line before the original filter. There are two fuel lines betwenn it and the tank. One wil be feed and the other return, but how do I know which is which?

What size need to be the hose-end-fittings (nipples/barbs) ? (Inner diameter of the fuel lines).

And can the original fuel lines simply cut and the hose-end-fitting just pushed in and secured by a jubilee clip ? Or is any specific hydraulic fitting (cutting ring i.e) needed or preferred ?

Would it make sense to buy a pre-filter which has a heating element in it, just in case for very cold climates ? Or is this useless as the original filter has no individual heater anyway ?
(I know that heated Diesel returning from the fuel rail is mixed to the "fres" Diesel temperature related - so if the engine is warm no Diesel "freezing" (that paraffine thing) will occur, but to get there the engine will have to be started first and running a while).

Flow rate of 170l/h is ok, understood that. As for the filtration - there are 5, 10 or 30micron spin on filters available. I think that 5um makes no sense as is simpley leads to a doubled main filter. Could as well stay with just one filter and relace it twices as often. But what of the alternatives is best used ?
Is there any adverse effect in any way to the flow rate?
My one was done in New Zealand, I know they had to get special ferules made especially made as the pipe size is not the same as the fittings and the Puma system must be airtight .
here are the specifications including pressure drop which is very small, used this setup for a year now as has another guy here, no problems with fuel system at all.
http://www.maesco.com/products/racor/r_spn_intro/r_spn_specs/r_spn_specs.html
Hope this helps you
They used a racor 230r 10 micron as pre filter then LR original filter . As I posted in Defender 2 and here it saved me a lot of money