When it comes to replacing the fuel filter element on a light commercial vehicle such as the Ford Transit, Parker Racor ensures the job is simple, fast and foolproof thanks to a patented compound bayonet fitting system. The tip here, however, is that only by using Racor aftermarket elements, which are identical to their OE counterparts, will fleet managers achieve the same levels of performance and efficiency.

Changing the filter element on a Ford Transit is the only maintenance required as the actual fuel filter water separator is fit for the life of the vehicle. The element, with its patented fitting, simply clicks into place and locks. This concept prevents anyone from removing the filter element from the bowl and inadvertently driving off without the protection of a filter element, damaging the engine. The concept employed is known as ‘no filter, no flow’. Otherwise realising their mistake, that person could have conceivably put a filter back in place after damaging the engine and visit the Ford dealership to request a new vehicle under a warranty claim.

In essence, the Parker Racor element means ‘no filter; no flow’, because it is impossible to close the product without the patented part inside. The system is both tamper-proof and cannot unlock involuntarily.

Replacement filter elements from Parker are supplied as a kit that includes a replacement body seal; the main seal that sits between the filter bowl and head. It is highly important that this seal is changed at the same time as the element, particularly as it will have been sat in fuel for its lifetime and will likely be suffering from a degree of flattening due to the pressurerised interface between the bowl and the head. As an external seal, it is designed to prevent any fuel from contaminating the environment.

The Racor body seal offers high durability and excellent levels of vibration resistance. Moreover, the seal provides high chemical compatibility and, of particular importance, can operate safely across a wide temperature range, from -40°C to +40°C and beyond in the case of a Ford Transit. These design attributes are important, as if the materials cannot survive in different grades of fuel at different temperatures – and maintain a positive seal – then serious consequences are likely to result.

Ultimately, there is no substitute for decades of experience. Parker Racor offers proven designs, excellent R&D and intensive testing to make sure that the light commercial vehicle market benefits from choosing its aftermarket parts wisely.

The use of a patented filter element on the Transit assures Ford and fleet maintainers that a quality product is being fitted, reducing any worries about warranty claims and performance issues/engine damage due to selecting an inferior part.

It all comes back to OE quality, but how can this be defined? At Parker Racor, where elements have full traceability, the answer is easy. OE quality for aftermarket elements can be defined because the latter are identical to the former; they are built on the same production lines using the same materials and the same media.

Put simply, Racor replacement filter elements for the Ford Transit are specifically designed to remove the amount of dirt required to protect the injector, i.e. 99% of particles down to 4 µm. Buying a counterfeit product puts this performance level in jeopardy. Parker Racor has worked hard on the specification with Ford to achieve the necessary technical needs, as well as the dirt-loading and long-term testing requirements.

Alternative, cheaper paper filters will have less dirt-loading capability. As a result, either the service life becomes compromised, or efficiency is reduced (more dirt is allowed to pass). In the latter case, the injection system will be placed at risk. Saving £2 on a filter element could end up costing £2000 to repair an injector system. OE quality filters are required to keep light commercial vehicles on the road, and keep companies in business.

To sum up, buying from a non-regulated supply source could mean that the element is a copycat design. Few people would buy brake pads off an internet auction seller based in a low-cost economy, and the same ethos should apply to fuel filter elements.

Motion Systems