Removing /Cleaning the Racor water separator

[SVHappy]

Changing the Racor filter /water separator and have gunk in the bottom of the clear filter bowl, needs to be cleared out.
How do you get the clear bottom bowl off the filter housing? Does it twist off or do you have to remove the whole unit from the mounting bracket?

Racor 500FG.....
(this seemed so simple.......)

[belladonna]

S/V Happy - I have the same problem with the filter bowl, did you get an answer? Thanx, Jim

[jrohrbaugh]

I had the same problem after a trip to the Bahamas last year. I finally just remove the whole fuel filter which allowed me to clean the black sludge. If left undone this can hardened to be a tar-like substance.
This is also a good time to change the two other filters.
Good luck.

[Pbrenner]

We are surely not the only one looking at a dirty water separator bowl.
Reviving this old post.

I have looked at it yesterday on fuzion III (Hull 452), not filthy, but I would like to get it sparkling clean to monitor.
And I am a little puzzled by the accessibility, or lack of it, of how to purge the water from the bowl with that metal cup underneath.
Follow by removing the bowl itself allowing me to clean it.

Would anyone here have a method to purge, remove and clean the water glass bowl?
Not leading to diesel being spilled everywhere on the engine

[Pbrenner]

Few options from our trusted mechanic who came on board and looked at it.

1) Option 1
Disconnect the hoses
Unscrew the Racor from the boat
bring it outside and clean it with pressured diesel

You might need a compressor as he uses it to to do fuel polishing and clean the inside of the diesel tank.
You will need to clean your tank.
he recommended to have 50% of the tank full in order to do a proper cleanup then dispose the diesel

2) Option 2
Unscrew the bottom of the racor then you have access to the bowl itself
But be aware that you will need a gasket to put it back together

Hope this helps