Replacing RACOR filter on Pilot 30

The Racor filter on my 2006 Pilot 30 is located near the lower quarter of the fuel tank and there is insufficient space below the bowl to drain off fuel before opening the filter housing. There are shut-off valves where the fuel lines exit the tanks but I get a fair amount of fuel flowing out when I back off the "T" handle. Is the trick to shut off the fuel and run the engine until I can see the fuel level in the bowl?
A related fuel issue:
Has anyone had a problem with the crossover line getting clogged?

Maybe wait until the fuel is below a 1/4 full before you change the filter?

Bunka said:

The Racor filter on my 2006 Pilot 30 is located near the lower quarter of the fuel tank and there is insufficient space below the bowl to drain off fuel before opening the filter housing.

Click to expand...

Can you not slip a ziploc bag underneath the drain?

What drains do you have? FWIW, we eventually replaced our originals with a brass valve (Racor option), which includes a "stopper" nut as an extra safeguard... and the valve is easier to deal with than the original twist things...

-Chris

First, Shut off the valves on both tanks and cross connect valve. Use a small bowl or like ranger42c stated, use a large ziplock bag to catch fuel. I always pit an absorbent pad under what ever you use.
Most important, fill the filter with fuel before you screw it back on. No need to bleed if you fill the filter with fuel.

If your have supply valves between tank and racor, close them. Then crack t-handle loose, enough to break seal on handle oring, but leave lid in place. Since you probably have a Yanmar 6LY, go pump primer knob on injection pump about ten times. This will suck filter level down about half an inch and should eliminate spill when popping lid off. After changing element but before putting lid on, either pour some fuel in bowl to about half inch from top, or you can crack fuel valve open if tank level is above filter. Watch carefully, you can over fill and make a mess topping it up.

Ski:

Never thought about that trick of using engine primer to suck down fuel level in the Racor before opening. But where is that fuel going?

David

it gets pumped back to tank through return line.

AND MAKE SURE YOU OPEN THE FUEL VALVES AGAIN WHEN DONE!!! Don't ask me how I know....

Baker,
That's funny.
The things you learn first hand always seem to stick with you. I like to learn from other peoples mistakes but the mistakes I make I never forget.