Do I need a fuel/water separator?

K

keifermj

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
37
My 1986 Merc 3.0 140 currently does not have a fuel/water seperator on it. Can someone please let me know if I should consider adding one? What could happen if I leave it as is? Thanks
 
skargo

skargo

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Sep 14, 2008
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4,640
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

All boats should have one, add it!
 
Gary H NC

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
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Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

Agree...much better than the carb sucking in crud from the tank.
A very good upgrade to any boat..;)
 
PitchFork

PitchFork

Petty Officer 1st Class
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May 28, 2009
Messages
313
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

Stalling and misfires due to not having one = embarrassing
To clean or rebuild carb because of junk in fuel tank = cost many $$$
water / fuel filter catching water and flakes of rust in fuel tank = Priceless

F/W separator / filter kit will only cost $26 from Wal-Mart. Mine did not have one I added one and last month when I changed it I dumped it into a glass and found flakes of something in it and no water. I would absolutely spend the $26.
 
K

keifermj

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
37
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

Sounds like I will be putting one in. How difficult is it to do? Are the instructions that come with the kit pretty good? Thanks again.
 
mmccoy555

mmccoy555

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
131
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

Yes, add on and no they are not hard to do. Get one with a clear bowl though so you can see if there is crap or water in it. The directions are pretty simple.
 
skargo

skargo

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4,640
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

mmccoy555 said:
Yes, add on and no they are not hard to do. Get one with a clear bowl though so you can see if there is crap or water in it. The directions are pretty simple.
Click to expand...

A clear bowl is NOT approved for an I/O BTW ;)
 
S

Schmoe

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 10, 2004
Messages
117
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

That's what came with my 3.0LX in '96...........
 
flargin

flargin

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Aug 13, 2008
Messages
540
Re: Do I need a fuel/water separator?

How common is water in the fuel?

I have a F/W separator, but I have never had water in my fuel. Admittedly, I live in arid Colorado and have a trailered boat, so maybe that changes the equation.

No plans to change it, since it is my fuel filter as well... but just curious... is it a big problem in the "humid" states or boats that stay on water?
 
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