best fuel filter?

telwyn

Adventurer
Given I believe fuel filters are fairly universal thought I'd post this question here... which fuel filter do you recommend as the best for an expedition vehicle? Is an inexpensive inline filter fine or is it worth a few dollars more to get one that separates water from the fuel? And if that's worth it, would a marine fuel filter be even better?

Thanks in advance.
 

Antichrist

Expedition Leader
Racor makes top notch filter/separators for both diesel and petrol engines.
For diesels they have an option of a warning light/buzzer if the water level gets dangerously high.
 

overlander

Expedition Leader
x2 on Racor. I have 2 installed in my 110, a 60micron prefilter, and 2 micron primary. 2 micron primary also has 200w fuel heater (racor option).
 

telwyn

Adventurer
bump to see if anyone knows which Racor model I should use on a Land Rover Lightweight gas engine? Thx.
 

I Leak Oil

Expedition Leader
The inline filters available at any parts store have always worked just fine for my 2.25 gasser. They're only a couple bucks and you really don't need water seperation with gas. If you're having a problem with water then switch where you buy your fuel....and check your filler neck and breather for leaks.
Jason T.
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
Condensation in the moister climes can be an issue in getting water into fuel. So can buying fuel out of a steel can or drum in remote areas.

After a bad experience with Racors I don't like them as much as I did. You can not see if water has permeated the filter element. A perfectly fine looking element can have enough water in it to block fuel passage. I learned this the hard way. No water ever showed in the bowl, but the element was mostly plugged with water which limited fuel flow to a 20 MPH demand and no more. Not to say that other filters wouldn't suffer the same fate, but the ability to inspect the Racor filter element lead me to think that is was fine since there was nothing visibly wrong with it.

I use the marine spin-on water seperating fuel filters and carry a spare element. My local West Marine frequently has the mount with 2 filters on sale for ~$30
 

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