Drain-Plug Drip on Fram Primary Fuel Filter

[Dave Olson]

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

We have a CD25D with a one-cylinder Yanmar.

Thanks for your information...

Dave Olson
S/V "Sophie"



102065.2666@compuserve.com

[Duncan Maio]

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

The drain plug is screwed into either (a) a larger plug in the bottom of the filter housing or (b) the filter housing itself, depending on the age of the filter. There is no gasket or seal, at least on the older, one-piece design, but you may find that cleaning the threads will solve the problem.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

If there is no shut-off valve at the tank, the simplest approach is to disconnect the fuel line that runs from the tank to the filter.

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Not if you seal the inlet to the filter; the vacuum created in the top of the filter will prevent a deluge (but you will get some drippage).

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Probably; close the cooling water inlet, open the pressure relief lever on the cylinder head (on the left side as you face aft), and crank the engine while opening each bleed screw, starting with the one closest to the filter; if I recall, there is one at the secondary filter (on the engine) and one near the injector, in addtion to the one on the primary filter.

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

A shut-off at the tank is a good idea, and will help reduce spillage; valves downstream will not eliminate the need to bleed the system.

-Duncan Maio
s/v Remedy
CD 27 #37



dmaio@att.net

[Billll]

Dave

My boat didnot have a shut off either. I placed on in just before the filter because it was easier to reach. The tank would be better but more difficult to reach in a hurry. I dont remember how I shut the fuel off (pre-shut off valve) and I did get the entire contents of the filter in my pail. Most likily you will need to bleed the system afterwards.

I dont remember if the drain plug had a washer or not, but you might try teflon tape (if it is fuel proof) to help stop the leak.

Hope this helps!

Bill
S/V Rhapsody
CD 25D

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

We have a CD25D with a one-cylinder Yanmar.

Thanks for your information...

Dave Olson
S/V "Sophie"

willie@clnk.com

[Dave Olson]

Thanks for your help!!!...

Here's what I'm gonna do...

I probably should drain a little fuel out of the primary filter to see if I have any water or sediment anyway, so I will put the teflon tape on the bleed screw and see if that fixes it for now.

This fall, when I have the boat on the trailer in my driveway, I will replace the filters, inspect the threads more closely, add the shut-off valve in-line between the thank and the filter and finally bleed the system.

This way I won't spend any of the precious few Minnesota sailing days in the engine compartment.

Thanks again!

Dave Olson,
S/V "Sophie"
25D #158

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

We have a CD25D with a one-cylinder Yanmar.

Thanks for your information...

Dave Olson
S/V "Sophie"

102065.2666@compuserve.com

[Larry Austin]

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

We have a CD25D with a one-cylinder Yanmar.

Thanks for your information...

Dave Olson
S/V "Sophie"

Once you remove the screw at the bottom of the filter and drain the
fuel how does the filter case inself come off? does it unscrew or maybe "pull" a little maybe stuck at the top to a gasket?

Larry Austin
CD 30 MKII Milford CT.



laustin@us.ibm.com

[Bob Ohler]

Dave, I hate to tell you, but as soon as you start to drain fuel out of the filter, you're probably gonna have to bleed the fuel line. Relax. It's not that tough a thing to do, and there are plenty of people here on this website to coach you thru it.
Bob Ohler

Thanks for your help!!!...

Here's what I'm gonna do...

I probably should drain a little fuel out of the primary filter to see if I have any water or sediment anyway, so I will put the teflon tape on the bleed screw and see if that fixes it for now.

This fall, when I have the boat on the trailer in my driveway, I will replace the filters, inspect the threads more closely, add the shut-off valve in-line between the thank and the filter and finally bleed the system.

This way I won't spend any of the precious few Minnesota sailing days in the engine compartment.

Thanks again!

Dave Olson,
S/V "Sophie"
25D #158

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

We have a CD25D with a one-cylinder Yanmar.

Thanks for your information...

Dave Olson
S/V "Sophie"

bobohler@chesapeake.net

[Dave Olson]

I thought it was possible to drain the sediment and water out without introducing air into the fuel system. Doesn't the fuel feed replace the drained fuel so there is no air introduced into the system?
Dave

Dave, I hate to tell you, but as soon as you start to drain fuel out of the filter, you're probably gonna have to bleed the fuel line. Relax. It's not that tough a thing to do, and there are plenty of people here on this website to coach you thru it.
Bob Ohler

Thanks for your help!!!...

Here's what I'm gonna do...

I probably should drain a little fuel out of the primary filter to see if I have any water or sediment anyway, so I will put the teflon tape on the bleed screw and see if that fixes it for now.

This fall, when I have the boat on the trailer in my driveway, I will replace the filters, inspect the threads more closely, add the shut-off valve in-line between the thank and the filter and finally bleed the system.

This way I won't spend any of the precious few Minnesota sailing days in the engine compartment.

Thanks again!

Dave Olson,
S/V "Sophie"
25D #158

The drain-plug screw on my Fram primary fuel filter drips three drops per day. Tightening doesn't seem to fix it. I haven't inspected the plug or the washer that I would anticipate would be there since I wasn't sure how to best proceed.

What is the best way to shut off the fuel supply?

Once I remove the plug, will I get the entire contents of the fuel filter and lines in my pail?

Once I have repaired or replaced the the screw, washer or seat, will I have to bleed the fuel system?

Should I add any fuel shut-off valves in the system while I'm at it to make this kind of work easier in the future?

We have a CD25D with a one-cylinder Yanmar.

Thanks for your information...

Dave Olson
S/V "Sophie"

102065.2666@compuserve.com

[Duncan Maio]

Once you remove the screw at the bottom of the filter and drain the
fuel how does the filter case inself come off? does it unscrew or maybe "pull" a little maybe stuck at the top to a gasket?

Larry Austin
CD 30 MKII Milford CT.

The filter case unscrews - there is a threaded tube in the center of the case that attaches the case to the head.



dmaio@att.net

[Duncan Maio]

I thought it was possible to drain the sediment and water out without introducing air into the fuel system. Doesn't the fuel feed replace the drained fuel so there is no air introduced into the system?
Dave

Dave:

If the line from the tank to the filter is connected and open, and the tank has fuel in it, then you should not get any air into the system. This assumes, however, that fluid is flowing out of the drain hole at all times. If you try to stop the flow of fuel out of the tank, and thus out of the filter, you will undoubtedly get air bubbles in from the drain hole.



dmaio@att.net