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Old 06-20-2021, 07:31 PM   #1
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MA900 Racor - Should I Install Shutoff Valve?lve

Going to change the filter on my Racor MA900 and found that I have the brass drain plug below the clear bowl. My question is should I buy and Install the twist shutoff valve to drain any visible water? Also, when changing the filter should I drain about a quarter inch of fuel as a matter of practice even though there is no evidence of water separation? Obviously I'm a novice at this. Thanks!!
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Old 06-20-2021, 08:29 PM   #2
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I like having the petcock drain valve on the bottom, makes it much easier to drain water if there is any. Keep in mind if you pur a petcock in it should have a cap on the output just in case the petcock gets opened by accident. I use the Racor brand, a bit more expensive but not that much. I also mount an LED light behind the bowl and you are able to see what is in the bowl easily.
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Old 06-20-2021, 09:47 PM   #3
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I recommend you have your system reworked a bit.
Duel Racor filters with a vacuum gauge and valving to switch filters.
Also, an alarm for 'water in fuel'.
While you are spending money, get a fuel polishing system. Reverso makes a nice 'clean' installation as is their oil change system.
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Old 06-20-2021, 10:15 PM   #4
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It seems the brass petcock valves always drip. I put 4 brand new Racor ones in and they all seeped, just like the old ones. I prefer the plastic ones because of that, they make a solid seal. Yes, drain a little before lifting the filter out, prevents sloshing over. You have to loosen the cap to let air in or it won't drain.
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Old 06-20-2021, 10:52 PM   #5
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Shortly after buying my boat, I upgraded my 900FA to the 900MA configuration (heat shields, etc), and installed the drain valves at the same time.

At the time, I was advised that, to meet USCG regs, the provided brass caps had to be installed when the valves weren't being used to drain from the filter. As a result, I don't know if the valves seep, as reported by EngNate, or not.

When I went to lookup the regulation I was quoted, 33 CFR 183.556(b), it seemed to apply by law only to gasoline engines.

But, much as seems to be the case for comodave, the wisdom of keeping the fuel in the fuel system, seems to apply to diesel, just the same, at least to me.
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Old 06-20-2021, 11:16 PM   #6
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I haven’t had any drip or seep on me.
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Old 06-21-2021, 06:06 AM   #7
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A small aircraft fuel drain petcock requires pushing it in to turn , and snaps back when secured.

Should be able to get them online.

Otherwise a small safety wire is needed to keep the valve handle in position.

House fuel tanks use fire petcocks where a fire will close the valve by melting a piece of the unit..
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Old 06-21-2021, 06:31 AM   #8
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I haven’t had any drip or seep on me.
Mine also never leaked.
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Old 06-22-2021, 02:54 AM   #9
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An alternative to Racors. Takes five minutes to change a filter. Shut fuel supply valve, spin filter off, spin new filter on, open valve, open bleeder till air stops spitting (10 seconds), close bleeder, start engine. Open bottom drain once a month to check for water. Vacuum gauges for when to change filters.Click image for larger version

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Old 06-22-2021, 03:27 AM   #10
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I also mount an LED light behind the bowl and you are able to see what is in the bowl easily.
That's why you are paid the big bucks. 👍

Simple but great idea.
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Old 06-22-2021, 07:50 PM   #11
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I recommend you have your system reworked a bit.
Duel Racor filters with a vacuum gauge and valving to switch filters.
Also, an alarm for 'water in fuel'.
While you are spending money, get a fuel polishing system. Reverso makes a nice 'clean' installation as is their oil change system.
Wow Dan, poor guy asked about a $40 petcock and you spent about $4k of his money. Lol.
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Old 06-23-2021, 02:32 AM   #12
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Wow Dan, poor guy asked about a $40 petcock and you spent about $4k of his money. Lol.
Not my money we are spending. I sound just like the govt. To be honest, I spent my own money on building such a system.
I still maintain a duel filter set up, vacuum gauge and water alarm on the main engine is a very good idea.

A worn out o'ring on a deck fill or a bad load of fuel, will encourage you go get a fuel polishing system.
Irma, managed to put some water into my fuel tanks. "Water in filter alarm", go drain the filter bowl into a bucket. Without that alarm.... we all know what can happen, dead in the water.
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Old 06-23-2021, 07:00 AM   #13
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An alternative to Racors. Takes five minutes to change a filter. Shut fuel supply valve, spin filter off, spin new filter on, open valve, open bleeder till air stops spitting (10 seconds), close bleeder, start engine. Open bottom drain once a month to check for water. Vacuum gauges for when to change filters.Attachment 118719
That's all the time it took me to change elements on my Racors. And I can look to see if there is water or yuck in the bowl.
Plus there was no need to bleed out air.

IF I had no filter unit I would have gone that way but since I already owned the Racors, I saw no advantage for me.
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Old 06-23-2021, 08:19 AM   #14
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Comodave - I like EVERYTHING in your post! Great ideas that I will be adding... Hmmm, guess that makes #973 on my list of 1,000 things to get done on the boat...
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Old 06-23-2021, 12:34 PM   #15
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DougCole, to answer Sammy999's question directly, yes, install the specially design petcock/valve.


What I suggest is an improvement or, if you wish, upgrade to a complete system.
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Old 06-27-2021, 03:36 PM   #16
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Thank you all that replied. I ordered the brass drain valve. Good idea to put a safety wire on it.
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Old 06-27-2021, 03:39 PM   #17
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Also, going to replace my deck fill O rings!
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Old 06-27-2021, 04:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldDan1943 View Post
DougCole, to answer Sammy999's question directly, yes, install the specially design petcock/valve.


What I suggest is an improvement or, if you wish, upgrade to a complete system.

Yep.
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Old 06-27-2021, 04:22 PM   #19
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I installed Conbraco fuel ball valves on mine as well as my fuel manifold, they're fire rated, I have braided stainless hose with a cap on mine because there's little room under the filters and I make less mess. On the MA version Racor with the flame shield I wouldn't suggest plastic valves as it defeats the design of the filter.
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Old 07-02-2021, 01:04 PM   #20
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I like the LED idea.
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