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Racor 500MA vs. Racor 500FG2

JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
I’m sure there are many here that have gone deeper in the fuel filter rabbit hole than I have recently. I’m looking to upgrade my Racor filter from the current Racor R12s to a Racor 500 system. I’m able to pick up a new Racor 500FG2 locally for about half of retail.

What is everyone’s opinion on going with a 500FG2 compared to the 500MA?

My filter is not installed in the engine bay.

The engine is a Yanmar 3GM30F.

Looking forward to others insights.

JC
 
Loren Beach

Loren Beach

O34 - Portland, OR
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
I found this link for info: https://ph.parker.com/us/en/product/fuel-filter-water-separator-turbine-series/500fg2

Being a simple sort of Viking, I just bought/installed a "Racor 500", thru a friend's wholesale account. :rolleyes:
The link shows a filter that sure looks like mine; I did find that there was some - not too much - additional futzing to do to shop for fittings to match my boat's hose sizing. Having that big filter element staying so "new" is a wonderful thing, gotta say.

Link to ours: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/new-location-racor-lift-pump.682/
 
Last edited:
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
Thanks Loren. Yeah, the picture of yours looks just like a 500FG. The Newer 500MA does not have the heat shield. Also the newer 500MA comes with a 2 micro filter and a clear bowl compared to the FG, with a 4 Micro filter and amber bowl.

I'm just wanting to make sure I'm not missing anything else between the two.

As always Loren, your install looks super clean and well done.

JC
 
Christian Williams

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
My surveyor required a 500 model with a flame shield. It's an old argument whether actually required, which I believe it isn't with a diesel, but insurance may have other ideas.
 
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
Thanks Christian. I had seen the post where you talked about your surveyor requiring he heat shield. It got me thinking, why are the other smaller models that do not have a heat shield option not called out? My little R12S, does not have a heat shield and does not have and option for one. For the price of the 500FG2 here locally ($150), I think I may just go that route, since I'm mounting about 12 ft from the engine room, close to the fuel tank.

JC
 
Jim Picerno

Jim Picerno

1989 38-200
I'm hoping the stock fuel system on my new boat works for a while as replacing the fuel filter canister is pretty far down on my project list. However if I ever get there I'd at least look to see if I could install it in a location where I could have a vacuum gauge attached to the racor. The issue is of course finding a big enough space.

 
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
Yes, I am planning to install a vacuum gauge and also an electric lift pump for priming and back up. Heck if we are taking in the project might as well go all the way.
JC
 
Norwester

Norwester

Member II
I just replicated excellence...well, Bryan's @vanilladuck excellent work:) ...
ericsonyachts.org

E32-3 - Fuel System Refit with a Racor 500

Intro When I started thinking about the fuel system on Rumour, I realized there were a few things to consider. I heard a number of recommendations to remove the old metal fuel supply lines and check or replace the old Racor 200 series primary...
ericsonyachts.org ericsonyachts.org
...with support from @Kenneth K who shared outside-the-box ideas on how to relocate secondary fuel filter.
However, all this was IN the engine bay...therefore, RACOR shielded to keep insurers, reviewers, estimators and the like at bay...and make it more difficult to just see if water and/or crap is accumulating.

mine..

Installing a new Racor 500 on an E32

The brown rusty stuff is likely diesel fuel algae/bacteria sludge. You'll probably want to check the tank. I believe it grows as a result of water getting in the fuel. As far as getting water in the fuel, this is probably as good a time as any to mention that changing the O-ring on the fuel...
ericsonyachts.org ericsonyachts.org
 
bsangs

bsangs

E35-3 - New Jersey
JonathanCarlos said:
I’m sure there are many here that have gone deeper in the fuel filter rabbit hole than I have recently. I’m looking to upgrade my Racor filter from the current Racor R12s to a Racor 500 system. I’m able to pick up a new Racor 500FG2 locally for about half of retail.

What is everyone’s opinion on going with a 500FG2 compared to the 500MA?

My filter is not installed in the engine bay.

The engine is a Yanmar 3GM30F.

Looking forward to others insights.

JC
Click to expand...
JC - For what it's worth, I took a Yanmar diesel engine class from Mack Boring a couple years ago. I also have a 3GM30F. The tech said - and these are his words exactly, "The primary fuel filter should be 30 micron only. Nothing smaller." He claimed a smaller micron primary on an engine this size could choke it off more easily. I think the Racor 500 is 2 or 4 microns. (I'm pretty sure the smaller secondary fuel filter on the engine itself is 2 microns.) I've been using the Racor 15Ps as the primary for four years.
 
Nick J

Nick J

Contributing Partner
Moderator
Blogs Author
I upgraded to a Racor 500MA a few years ago. Filter changes are much easier than the old R12S. No more swearing or busted knuckles. If I did it again, I would go with the non fire shield G2 version. The shield makes it almost impossible to see and drain water in the fuel.

As for the filter micron size, I went with 2 micron for the first 2 filter changes. I didn't know it was an issue until I recently changed it out for a 30 micron filter. The engine runs much better now. with the 2 micron filter, idle was a bit rough and would have to throttle up a bit. No issues with the 30 micron cartridge. I did notice the secondary filter on the engine looked almost brand new after a year of use with the 2 micron filter though. Hopefully I didn't do any damage to the lift pump by running the 2 micron filter for a few years.
 
Captain Pete

Captain Pete

Member II
I use a 10 and 2 micron combination for the low hours of use a season (less than 100 hours). If I was running a lot of hours or was concerned about dirty fuel then I would go with the 30 micron for primary. This approach has worked well for me with sailboat engines as well as my trawler, which has a big old caterpillar with a 900 racor primary filter and a separate westerbeke generator with its own 500 racor.
 
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
bsangs said:
JC - For what it's worth, I took a Yanmar diesel engine class from Mack Boring a couple years ago. I also have a 3GM30F. The tech said - and these are his words exactly, "The primary fuel filter should be 30 micron only. Nothing smaller." He claimed a smaller micron primary on an engine this size could choke it off more easily. I think the Racor 500 is 2 or 4 microns. (I'm pretty sure the smaller secondary fuel filter on the engine itself is 2 microns.) I've been using the Racor 15Ps as the primary for four years.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the message bsangs.... I was planning on runnig at least a 20 micro element in the 500. You can get both 20 and 30 micron elements for the Racor 500's. Check out the part number RA2010PMOR.
JC
 
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
Captain Pete said:
I use a 10 and 2 micron combination for the low hours of use a season (less than 100 hours). If I was running a lot of hours or was concerned about dirty fuel then I would go with the 30 micron for primary. This approach has worked well for me with sailboat engines as well as my trawler, which has a big old caterpillar with a 900 racor primary filter and a separate westerbeke generator with its own 500 racor.
Click to expand...
Thanks Cap Pete... yes I was planning either a 20 or 30 micron. Good info.
 
bsangs

bsangs

E35-3 - New Jersey
JonathanCarlos said:
Thanks for the message bsangs.... I was planning on runnig at least a 20 micro element in the 500. You can get both 20 and 30 micron elements for the Racor 500's. Check out the part number RA2010PMOR.
JC
Click to expand...
Gotcha. My mistake then. I had assumed when you mentioned that "the newer 500MA comes with a 2 micro filter and a clear bowl compared to the FG, with a 4 Micro filter and amber bowl" that you were going with one of those filters. Good luck with the swap.
 
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
bsangs said:
Gotcha. My mistake then. I had assumed when you mentioned that "the newer 500MA comes with a 2 micro filter and a clear bowl compared to the FG, with a 4 Micro filter and amber bowl" that you were going with one of those filters. Good luck with the swap.
Click to expand...
Yeah they come with those, but I was not planning to stick with the stock element.
I can see where I lead the group astray by stating that.
JC
 
JonathanCarlos

JonathanCarlos

Member II
Norwester said:
I just replicated excellence...well, Bryan's @vanilladuck excellent work:) ...
ericsonyachts.org

E32-3 - Fuel System Refit with a Racor 500

Intro When I started thinking about the fuel system on Rumour, I realized there were a few things to consider. I heard a number of recommendations to remove the old metal fuel supply lines and check or replace the old Racor 200 series primary...
ericsonyachts.org ericsonyachts.org
...with support from @Kenneth K who shared outside-the-box ideas on how to relocate secondary fuel filter.
However, all this was IN the engine bay...therefore, RACOR shielded to keep insurers, reviewers, estimators and the like at bay...and make it more difficult to just see if water and/or crap is accumulating.

mine..

Installing a new Racor 500 on an E32

The brown rusty stuff is likely diesel fuel algae/bacteria sludge. You'll probably want to check the tank. I believe it grows as a result of water getting in the fuel. As far as getting water in the fuel, this is probably as good a time as any to mention that changing the O-ring on the fuel...
ericsonyachts.org ericsonyachts.org
Click to expand...
@Norwester I see in your write up (great write up by the way)... that you ended up sourcing and using the Gates: G60312-0806 fittings instead of the go-to Racor fittings. How have those worked out. I feel like you're the only write up I've seen that has be able to source a different fitting other than the Racor.
 
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