GOLDENROD 496-3/4 WATER-BLOCK FILTER How good is it?

[powerscol]

I am looking at getting the following for my fuel station; GOLDENROD 496-3/4 WATER-BLOCK FILTER (56591) Bowl Fuel Tank Filter with 3/4" NPT Top Cap, Amazon.com: GOLDENROD 496-3/4 WATER-BLOCK FILTER (56591) Bowl Fuel Tank Filter with 3/4" NPT Top Cap: Automotive.

TSC and others have them too. Been shopping around and everyone is within a few dollars. If you folks have one, how is it holding up and how well does it remove the water. Any help would be appreciated.

If you dont like this unit is there a better option. Pump and fuel hose are 3/4 NPT

 

[lostcreekranch]

The Golden Rod is hard to beat. I've had mine on our 300 gallon diesel tank since early 1990's. Replaced the plastic bowl last fall as the original had gotten hard to see thru from being in the sun. 25 years isn't bad. I change my filter cartridge every 4th refill. Mine is all 3/4" as well. Mine is gravity flow wit bottom of tank 7' above ground so flow is excellent.

I've always had great results with Power Service diesel treatment. Gray bottle in summer and white bottle during winter.

 

[joefromga]

I used the water block in series with the regular filters on my biodiesel tank and pump. Always worked well and lasted.
I believe the water block will slow down as it gets wet and you can drain through the cock valve.

I would recommend them plus they are carried everywhere.

 

[powerscol]

Thanks - any reliable sources to get online that folks like? TSC only carries the 1" NPT thread in my store and can't seem to get the 3/4" one for some reason.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Amazon is a good a place as any. If you have Prime you get "free" shipping.

You will want the filter wrench as well.

 

[bdog]

Good filters. Been using them for over 15 years.

You change yours every 1,200 gallons? That's pretty often. I change mine when it starts pumping slow. Might be more like every 20,000 gallons. Sometimes we burn through 500 gallons a week. I sure don't change it every 5 days. A fuel filter doesn't lose it filtering capability when it gets dirty it just gets plugged up. On a fuel filter on an engine you change it frequently because you don't want a clogged filter starving your motor but on a transfer tank no point in changing it if it is flowing fine. You are just wasting time and money. I know I have not changed my transfer tank filter in over a year and it has had a LOT of fuel through it.

 

[powerscol]

I ended up ordering online from these folks Home | Circle C Country Supply It appears to be a small family operation too.
Good pricing and I saved about 20$ overall. TSC does not stock the 496-3/4 the 3/4 inch one (wont even special order for some reason) and with the bushings the 496 they had got even more expensive so I went online. Even my trusty auto parts stores were all close to $50 on this.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Good filters. Been using them for over 15 years.

You change yours every 1,200 gallons? That's pretty often. I change mine when it starts pumping slow. Might be more like every 20,000 gallons. Sometimes we burn through 500 gallons a week. I sure don't change it every 5 days. A fuel filter doesn't lose it filtering capability when it gets dirty it just gets plugged up. On a fuel filter on an engine you change it frequently because you don't want a clogged filter starving your motor but on a transfer tank no point in changing it if it is flowing fine. You are just wasting time and money. I know I have not changed my transfer tank filter in over a year and it has had a LOT of fuel through it.

I guess you are pointing at me? No problem. Changing filter every 4th tank refill gives me excellent protection, full fuel flow, etc. I see no reason to run a filter to almost zero flow?

I bought a case of the Golden Rod 496-5 water block cartridges for about $7 each a few years ago. I check the plastic bowl and drain off crap and water often. Our humidity is high here so, moisture is what I watch out for. I refill tank 2-3 times per year.

 

[Texasmark]

As others said, they work. However, they have their limitations and since they absorb water you have to change them periodically.....they'll only absorb so much. On water block vs absorption, I initially thought that the filter media openings were too small for water molecules to pass.....aka water block filtration media. But I was reading somewhere, maybe on the filter carton that it's an absorption filter, not molecular blocking......news to me. Been using them for 30+ years. Change out about every 500 or so gallons. Keep your fuel clean and out of the weather. Buy from a known good, clean, source. Keep tanks closed when not pumping so they can't breathe. "Hydrowhateveryoucallit" is such that when moist, cool, air is ingested, the water stays in the tank when the tank heats up and expels the air. If you keep your tanks sealed, they can't do that. I use Power Services fuel storage additives and while I'm at it put some of their injector cleaner in when I fill up the tractors. I just plain flat do not have any kind of fuel related issues in any of my diesels and my '63 Ford 2000 still has the original injector pump and hasn't been touched......3700ish original hours........nor has a wrench been on the powertrain part of the engine.

When you get yours, and your golden plastic bowl, mount it vertically so that the in/out ports are at the top and the drain valve is pointed straight down. if you have any water in your system (fuel floats), it will settle in the bottom of the bowl where you can see it and the drain plug is located. Just drain it off before you fill up and find out where it's coming from. If water is present, filter will need to be changed more often.

 

[bdog]

I guess you are pointing at me? No problem. Changing filter every 4th tank refill gives me excellent protection, full fuel flow, etc. I see no reason to run a filter to almost zero flow?

I bought a case of the Golden Rod 496-5 water block cartridges for about $7 each a few years ago. I check the plastic bowl and drain off crap and water often. Our humidity is high here so, moisture is what I watch out for. I refill tank 2-3 times per year.

I guess if you refill only 2-3 times a year condensation and moisture could be a problem. I was just pointing out that most people that use these filters don't change them nearly that often. I don't let mine go to where it is a trickle but when I notice it is slower I change it. I run some heavy equipment and am around others that run a lot. On a recent job they had four D6T dozers burning in excess of 100 gallons per day each. We were running 7 days a week for three weeks straight. I never saw them change a filter on the transfer tank and they burned through over 8,000 gallons on that one job.

If you want to change them more often it sure won't hurt anything other than your wallet but there is really no need to until the flow starts to slow. The water block feature of the filter completely stops the flow when t gets water logged. Just make sure you have a spare handy and change it when needed.

 

[rswyan]

I've had mine for around 10 or so years, just changed the element today as it had slowed to a trickle.

BTW, the filter housing will take either "water-block" or "non water-block" elements ...

 

[90cummins]

I recently added a water-Bloc filter to my filter assembly.
My filter assembly starts with a 10 micron spin on filter then goes into a 2 micron filter and finally into the Water-Block to ensure my fuel is as clean as possible.
I put some bad diesel in my tractor once and it will never happen again.
I'm prone to over-kill but that's me!
90cummins

 

[lostcreekranch]

I guess if you refill only 2-3 times a year condensation and moisture could be a problem. I was just pointing out that most people that use these filters don't change them nearly that often. I don't let mine go to where it is a trickle but when I notice it is slower I change it. I run some heavy equipment and am around others that run a lot. On a recent job they had four D6T dozers burning in excess of 100 gallons per day each. We were running 7 days a week for three weeks straight. I never saw them change a filter on the transfer tank and they burned through over 8,000 gallons on that one job.

If you want to change them more often it sure won't hurt anything other than your wallet but there is really no need to until the flow starts to slow. The water block feature of the filter completely stops the flow when t gets water logged. Just make sure you have a spare handy and change it when needed.

So, I guess I have your permission to keep on keeping on?

Thanks!

 

[powerscol]

bdog
Thanks for the tip on how the water lock filters operate. When I placed my order, I did pick up a spare filter and bowl. Your wondering about the spare bowl - well these bowls and I dont get along very well....ask my Bobcat dealer...:shocked::confused3::ashamed: . Somehow in changing filters I manage to break or chip them some way from falling off the tractor hood, to me stepping on it. I think I have broken 3 in the last 6 years. (Keep a spare on hand now) One of these days I will assemble the parts basket I bought that has a magnet on the bottom to keep things safe.

 

[bdog]

So, I guess I have your permission to keep on keeping on?

Thanks!

You can do whatever you want. I don't see why your are getting an attitude I was just trying to help you save some money and time as well as help others who may know nothing about these filters and are reading this thread trying to learn about them.

 

[lostcreekranch]

You can do whatever you want. I don't see why your are getting an attitude I was just trying to help you save some money and time as well as help others who may know nothing about these filters and are reading this thread trying to learn about them.

No problem, I explained why I do what I do and you came back like you are smarter. We'll just leave it at that.

 

[bdog]

I don't think I am smarter and didn't mean it that way. Sorry if it came across like that. As I said in my previous reply if you are having moisture problems the more frequent intervals might be necessary.

I have seen a general trend on this compact tractor forum where people generally tend to overdo the maintainence on their machines compared to what are the normal industry accepted practices. Too much is certainly better than not enough but many things for these small tractors are not cheap. When I had my kubota backhoe it cost more to service it than it does my full size deere.

If you are happy doing it the way you do that is all that matters. I was just trying to point out to the other readers who are maybe looking at buying their first filter setup that most people who use things day in and day out in the course of business simply change their filters when the flow starts to slow. They don't run them until it is a trickle as they have lots of fuel to move but rather as soon as the flow is noticeably slower a new filter is put on. I wasn't trying to convince you to change your practice I just didn't want some guy who just bought his first setup to think he had to change them that often. I know when I started out I read on here a lot for advice (and I still do)

 

[lostcreekranch]

I've never had moisture problems, probably because I do check the filter bowl ever time I fill up one of our tractors.

I've never had fuel issues, with any tractor, because I maybe change fuel filters before they start plugging up.

My experience with fuel and tractors, combines, etc. goes back to early 1960's. This is not my first rodeo.

My usage is much closer to the OP' as doubt he uses 500 gallon/day.

No harm, no foul, no problem. I'm out of this thread hijack. Subject closed?

 

[RjCorazza]

I had a Goldenrod 496 water block (and sometimes non water block cartridge) on my tank for years without issue. After getting a new tank I switched to the spin on filter (also Goldenrod) because I prefer the cleaner and easier filter changes, but more expensive. As far as water is concerned, the filter will noticeably slow down with small amounts of water and it will really shut down with a catastrophic amount of water. I got 300g of fuel oil for free 2 years ago, and the last 10g or so was severely contaminated with water and sludge. The water block filter really locked up quick, and the rest of the fuel went on the burn pile.

 

[powerscol]

Thanks everyone. The package arrived yesterday and the fittings are trickling in. I think this will work well for me. Now just need to finally decide on how I am going to work the plumbing.