sgharford
Legendary Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2008
- Messages
- 1,792
- Status
- OWNER - I own a Hatteras Yacht
- Hatteras Model
- 43' DOUBLE CABIN (1970 - 1984)
The original air filter on my Cummins VT-903's are a little screwy compared to most I imagine. The air filtration element is a round cylinder made up of metal wire that overlaps itself repeatedly to provide fine passageways for filtration. I think they used metal wire because the crankcase is ventilated to it via 2 pipes, each one coming from the left and right valve covers (903's are V-8's). Note that the pipes are suspended right above this wire mesh filter, not directly into the housing. Any oil that discharges from ventilation pipes, along with vapor, can pass through wire mesh without fouling, unlike a paper or foam filter element (I'm guessing those type of elements could become oil saturated, perhaps even becoming a fire hazard).
I know marine engine rooms are hotter then most under the hood applications, and deal with salt water sea mist. I've looked into Airseps ($2300), and Racor ($1400) that turn the crank case ventilation system into a closed system by recirculating the discharged oil back into the crank case. On top of no oil discharge, it has added benefit of not oiling/sooting up the turbo compressor blades. Apparently they also make the inside of engine run in a vacuum, which helps stop any weeping from gaskets.
I'm not looking to part with that type of cash right now and wondering if a off the shelf replacement filter is OK and if so what type of element is typically best for marine applications. Also wondering what makes a marine rated filter "Marine" rated.
Also, as an aside, anyway run Racor's and just put a 'crap can' on the oil discharge line? My engines do not loose/burn any oil and thinking this could cut cost and installation time in half.
I know marine engine rooms are hotter then most under the hood applications, and deal with salt water sea mist. I've looked into Airseps ($2300), and Racor ($1400) that turn the crank case ventilation system into a closed system by recirculating the discharged oil back into the crank case. On top of no oil discharge, it has added benefit of not oiling/sooting up the turbo compressor blades. Apparently they also make the inside of engine run in a vacuum, which helps stop any weeping from gaskets.
I'm not looking to part with that type of cash right now and wondering if a off the shelf replacement filter is OK and if so what type of element is typically best for marine applications. Also wondering what makes a marine rated filter "Marine" rated.
Also, as an aside, anyway run Racor's and just put a 'crap can' on the oil discharge line? My engines do not loose/burn any oil and thinking this could cut cost and installation time in half.
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