Primary/Secondary Fuel filters upgrade - 2010 R25 SC

[Gunner065]

Good morning Folks,

As I'm completing my Spring maintenance and changing both fuel filters, I was informed by my local Yanmar dealer that it is increasingly difficult (aka expensive) to acquire Genuine Yanmar parts in Western Canada.

Their wholesaler, located in Vancouver, BC, closed in December due to the Pandemic. Now, all their parts come from a distributor in California or somewhere else in the US. Because of this, they are charging individual clients, freight costs between $100-150 CAD, regardless if you special order one or 10 parts.

Based on this, I was thinking: "why not change the primary fuel filter assembly to take a different filter (maybe easier change)". I wonder if that could be done for the secondary filter assembly on the engine, as well.

I looked through the different posts on here and couldn't find anything.

Just wondering if anyone has done this conversion on their tug and if they have recommendations/tips/advices. Might be a 2021/22 winter project.

 

[Ralf H]

Hey there Gunner,

We have not had the occasion to ponder the change of the fuel filter on the older Yanmar engines, but one could assume that it can be done, given enough research. Can't really help there, as we haven't sold these engines for years. Before going through the expense of changing the filter assembly to a different type, perhaps check to see which manufacturers produce compatible filters for that engine already. Sure, it would be nice to get genuine Yanmar parts, but there are several competent manufacturers that make very good quality alternatives; Wix Filters being one, for example. Considering that many O.E. manufacturers get their filters (and other items) produced for them by outside suppliers, Yanmar filters were most likely made by an outside supplier for them anyway. Just a thought and hope it helps.

Thanks!

Ralf

 

[scross]

As to the secondary filter, there’s lots of lower cost options than the Yanmar part.
See this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8186&hilit=yanmar+fuel+filter

I have four spare Mann WK 1150/2 filters that I bought on sale. Still seeing the Mann’s available for about $50 US here in the USA.

PS: For the primary filter we use the Racor R20T that’s available for about $25 US. Search on Racor for more threads about it.

 

[Gunner065]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

After replacing the filters for the first time yesterday, I realized that the one on the engine is pretty straight forward, I removed the air filter, which provided extra leverage room.

On the other side, the water separator is so close to the bulkhead that I had a hard time getting my fat fingers or any tools around the filter to complete the change. I've tried strap wrenches and plain old filter wrenches, both hard to use based on the limited room available. If anyone did find tools that are more effective in these conditions, please let me know.

SCROSS: I did look at the Racor R20T and the assembly that it comes with and I am potentially looking at that as a viable option moving forward.

 

[nzfisher]

I use some kind of Wix or Mann filter for the engine mounted filter. It has the bonus of a nut feature on the bottom to get the thing off, (not easy by the way). It was between 50-60 dollars on eBay as new. It required the slightest bit of filing a fitting below it so it would clear. Seems to be fine and I know many others use it on yanmar 4by. I bought a racor mount and use the racor 20t as well. Paid more than 30 for it however. Good luck.

 

[knotflying]

Racor PR90-DS-RAC-01 for the filter on the engine