Air Cleaner for Westerbeke 12B Two?

Richard Cashore · Post by **Richard Cashore** » Nov 7th, '08, 11:26

My first diesel. I'm refitting my boat and am being told the engine does not need an air cleaner. This doesn't compute. I understand that clean air, and lots of it, are essential for a diesel to run right. Am I missing something?

Richard

bottomscraper · Post by **bottomscraper** » Nov 7th, '08, 15:27

It may not have one. Our Perkins has something that is more like window screen than a real air filter. Unlike the tractors most of these base engines came from boats aren't really dusty. I don't see any mention of one in the owners manual. If you don't have the engine owners manual here is one available online for free:

http://www.westerbeke.com/Online_Manual ... er_man.pdf

mgphl52 · Post by **mgphl52** » Nov 7th, '08, 16:08

KAYLA's Volvo, an MD-7A, has a very simple (stainless?)steel mesh element inside of the air silencer. I've never replaced it, just rinse it every other year or so... but I probably should do that more often...

-michael

Oswego John · Post by **Oswego John** » Nov 7th, '08, 17:41

I agree with Rich.

Any boat I ever had, gas or diesel never had an air cleaner, only a stainless metal flame arrester.

I don't know what the law is now, but we had to have a screenlike baffle across the air intake in case of backfire, especially with gas engines. Open flame (supposedly ??) won't pass through metal screening. I suppose plastic screening is a no no.

I have a Ty Weekender which has an outboard engine for power. I never gave it a thought if OBs have filters or flame arresters. Now, out of curiosity, I'm going to check.

Both of my Diesel tractors have air cleaners.

O J

The Cape Dory Board

Air Cleaner for Westerbeke 12B Two?

Air Cleaner for Westerbeke 12B Two?

It might not have one! Link for owners manual.

Air Filter