Fuel water seperator and Fuel stabilizer?

gwg

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 26, 2015
Messages
44
Hello,
I've seen applications where a boat has a fuel water separator with one line fed from the tank and two outputs, one going to the main motor (with primer bulb) and one going to the kicker (with primer bulb). My question is, does the fuel water separator isolate the two engines, so that if one engine is running its fuel pump is not pulling fuel out of the other engines float bowls, resulting in difficult starting. Or will you have to prime the other line up. Does this cause damage to a small motor if the large main motor is pulling fuel out a smaller motor with smaller pump? Next will running fuel stabilizer with every fuel fill up eliminate moisture and condensate build up in your tank due to running a boat across the water (wind) with a vented fuel tank?
 

Watermann

Starmada Splash of the Year 2014
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Jan 12, 2013
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13,747
I really don't think you have reason to worry about either of those being a problem.
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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May 24, 2011
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49,038
The primer bulbs have a check valve which will block the running motor from sucking fuel out of the non-running motor. If one of the motors didn't have a bulb, then you would have a problem and you couldn't prime the bulbed motor. If you are able to get enough fuel in the motor to start, it won't run very long.

Fuel stabilizer does nothing for water. And water shouldn't be getting in the tank from using the boat unless there is a problem.
 

gwg

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 26, 2015
Messages
44
So as long as you have primer bulbs on both fuel lines coming off the separator to the motors you should be ok?
Any products that will remove condensate from fuels?
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
The crummy check valves in the primer bulb can't be counted on to prevent backflow from the idle motor. However, the check valves in the fuel pumps should be adequate to prevent it. So, no problem concerning backflow.

 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,033
The ethanol in E10 gasoline will absorb moisture in the fuel. That is one of it's benefits. Every time you put fresh E10 into your fuel tank, it will absorb some water.

As was said, running the boat should not cause moisture build-up in the fuel.

The "Dry Gas" products are isopropanol and are not usually recommended for 2 cycle motors.
 
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