Fuel Filter inline or None

[Tall T]

After experiencing a non-start I concluded that my inline see-thru was restricting the flow. It always bothered me that
it was only the lower corner of the filter that showed fuel.
So . . . I picked up another filter but one of the weird ones with the two steps to the in and out pipes.
I had been through this before where I had cut the outer skinny pipe from each end, but this time I stupidly just installed it uncut.
The parts guy insisted that the first part of the pipes was 1/4 and the larger part right next to the filter at each end was 5/16"
but that's B.S. Why would they list it as a 1/4" filter, when the supposed 1/4" ends are a sloppy fit inside a !/4" line but the stepped up size is perfect in a 1/4" rubber line and why no package insert telling you to razor knife the skinny ends off first.
I had done that last time with one of these but had forgotten.
Anyway. . . I'll take this one off and cut the skinny ends off (or stop using it)
The skinny ends are 3/16" i.D.
The fatter step up is 1/4" i.D.

But now I'm thinking I don't need to use the darn filter anyway.
Any fine particles making it thru the bowl screen will stay in the bowl or would be fine enough to pass thru the carb.

All in favor of the inline filter being unnecessary or more trouble than it is worth, say aye.

If a filter IS used, I think it would be more failsafe and more easily purged of air if it was installed vertically and it would fill up as well probably.
Also I think that gravity feed pressure diminishes the lower the level in the tank and so pushing the fuel through paper could be a factor.


Here's what It looks like now.
Thanks,
T

 

[soaked]

Hi Terry,
I dont use in line filters. AYE

 

[Hobo,NC]

Good clean fuel is hard to beat its your call on whether you need one are not. I am not going to fight a battle I will never win if it has a contaminated fuel system I am going to correct it. Some chose to install a filter and blame the filter for continuing issues. They never get in in their head the filter is doing exactly what it was designed to do remove contamination. The next thing they do is make up chit like it will not flow fuel under a gravity situation. They don't know what they are talking about.

 

[Tony in SD]

Not sure which tractor you are talking about but I know that the 8N models (probably all Ns) were built with 3 fuel filters already. So adding an inline filter probably does very little to remove foreign matter. There is a filter in the tank on top of the sediment bowl, the sediment bowl also has a filter and the elbow where the gas line enters the carburetor is the final filter. If you are having flow problems, I would check all 3 filters first.

 

[Ed S.]

25 years with no add-on filter on my '50 front-mount. No problems.

 

[504]

When I install an inline filter I only use 3/8 filters and clamp the 5/16 hoses with screw clamps. I want the the bigger filter and the larger intake.

 

[Dober_paw]

Apart from the fact that the N was designed with 3 filters one might ask other questions - whats the physical evidence of requiring the addition of a relatively fine particle filter ? (dirt in bottom of carb float chamber?) Is there water or other goo in the fuel - and is that blocking the inline filter? (drain/flush tank?) What's the design flow rate thru the additional filter? (ie: simple gravity flow rather than pushed or sucked by a mechanical pump).

 

[soaked]

i usually get 6 of these at a time when ordering parts.
Won't break the bank.
Spare parts are

 

[Eman85]

Just my opinion, remove the plastic filter, make a new steel fuel line and run the tractor.

 

[Jim.ME]

If you want to run the plastic filter, get an automotive one with the correct size line nipples. That filter in your picture looks like one for a small engine to me, and may be restricting flow needed for your engine.

 

[R Geiger]

I have two 8ns and a John Deere crawler and I do not use the inline plastic filters at all.

 

[Tall T]

Thanks everyone for the great replies
helping me make up my feeble mind!

I'll pick up some of those bowl screens. My bowl is new as of two years ago.
I'll install a new steel line too.

Terry