sly_karma
Crew Member
Some solid advice to be gleaned from this thread. Keep spare filter cartridges on board, and the correct strap wrench. I long since switched to the Sierra base and filters after seeing the challenges with the Racor system.
Other posters gave touched on this and I'll pile on as well: hose clamps. Fuel lines should not use gear clamps. They don't apply pressure evenly around the entire circumference of the hose, resulting in the possibility of fuel leaks or air leaks, depending on the application.
The best clamps are properly sized ear clamps, such as the Oetiker clamp system. These are the factory part for many marine and automotive manufacturers. They're a bit of a pain because you have to have precisely the right size, they require a crimping tool that not everyone owns, and they can't be reused once removed. But, a properly sized and crimped Oetiker clamp will do its job for years without moving or leaking. You want that level of assurance with fuel lines.
Pro tip: Oetiker has the same parent company as Pex plumbing pipe and fittings. You can buy the fancy crimper at a lower price by getting it as part of a Pex starter kit at a hardware or plumbing supplier. You'll get a few clamps thrown in, and the 1/2" clamps *may* fit certain brands of 3/8" ID marine fuel hose. Some stores even stock those 1/2" Pex clamps in stainless. Who knew.
Other posters gave touched on this and I'll pile on as well: hose clamps. Fuel lines should not use gear clamps. They don't apply pressure evenly around the entire circumference of the hose, resulting in the possibility of fuel leaks or air leaks, depending on the application.
The best clamps are properly sized ear clamps, such as the Oetiker clamp system. These are the factory part for many marine and automotive manufacturers. They're a bit of a pain because you have to have precisely the right size, they require a crimping tool that not everyone owns, and they can't be reused once removed. But, a properly sized and crimped Oetiker clamp will do its job for years without moving or leaking. You want that level of assurance with fuel lines.
Pro tip: Oetiker has the same parent company as Pex plumbing pipe and fittings. You can buy the fancy crimper at a lower price by getting it as part of a Pex starter kit at a hardware or plumbing supplier. You'll get a few clamps thrown in, and the 1/2" clamps *may* fit certain brands of 3/8" ID marine fuel hose. Some stores even stock those 1/2" Pex clamps in stainless. Who knew.
