9 years is it time to change the fuel filter :)

[Rupp]

Guys,
My boat is 9 years old and I have never changed the fuel filter believe it or not. It starts and runs like the day I bought it. I just de-winterized her yesterday and after 4 cranks she started right up. This filter looks just like an oil filter and while I know I need to change it my main question is - is the filter also the seperator? I keep it full every time I put it up so I wonder if this keeps the fuel tank dry?

 

[Don S]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

You've been really lucky for 9 years, ell, roll the dice and go for 10, then try double or nothing for 20 years maybe you could set a record and get into Guiness .......

 

[scipper77]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

You know you should change it, right?? Do you want to wait until your boat won't start on the water to decide that this needs to be done? It's your boat, but I would change it.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

Friend had a 20 year old car never changed the tranny fluid always ran great, body rusted, he changed the oil, in the motor never the tranny fluid.

Car had like 200 thousand miles, and one day he changed the tranny fluid, and the transmission went, the same day. Car was in the junkyard the next day.

Whats Clint Eastwood say in dirty harry " do ya feel lucky, well do ya "

This boat of yours i bet is used in fresh water cause saltwater the can would have been eatin thru bye now.

I think a new one is eight bucks.

I know, i know whats a auto analogy doing here.

 

[Rupp]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

I'm going to change it that's why I posted. Are the Sierra Fuel filters a good replacement filter. I can't find the Volvo replacement locally. Any suggestions for online vendors?

BTW she is a freshwater baby, never been rained on and stored on a lift at the marina 4 feet above the water.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

Wal-mart has them. In the marine dept, usually the back wall near the, transom plugs, cleats and such.

 

[Rupp]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

Wally World really! Are these a "standard" size or do I need to cross reference the original part number which is 3852413?

 

[Rupp]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

We have a boaters world near me. Will this QuickSilver filter work on my 5.0 GL Volvo?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

Take a minute and read this short article about fuel filters...it may answer all of your questions!

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/fuelFilter.pdf

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

Can't read the article my pdf reader is corrupted, but I decided on a changing my fuel filter this year and I noticed it had begun to rust out, anyhow I cut the top off of it and revealed a little paper pleated filter inside, now this fuel filter is the size of a large oil filter and the paper cartridge inside was about the size of my stern light globe everthing else is just hollow, anyhow it was clean as a whistle so my tanks are in good shape I guess.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

do I need to cross reference the original part number which is 3852413?

Ayuh,... You need the filter that Fits.... They're Not all the same...

Have you neglected All the other Annual maintenance that's supposed to be done as well,..??

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

They are not all the same, i bought the separator at wal-mart.

Now i have to post this, my boat lived in saltwater all of it's life never had a fuel, water separator till i installed one 5 years ago.

Never a drop of water or junk in the filter, how i know ?

I dump the contents in a clear container, 2-3 times every summer. and at the beginning, of the summer i suck all the junk out of the bottom of my gas tank.

I also install a new one, at the beginning of the summer.

Got me, about which one is the best, but it's there and i ain't removing it.

Yes you have to get one that fits, take it with you to the store and match it up.

 

[Rupp]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

Ayuh,... You need the filter that Fits.... They're Not all the same...

Have you neglected All the other Annual maintenance that's supposed to be done as well,..??

Well maybe. I change the oil every year and the out drive oil every other year. Other than that that's all I've done. My mechanic told me that it cost so much to pull the out drive each year that they recommend just replacing the gimbal bearing and other internals every 7-8 years at a lower cost. So I did this last year. What other maintenance is there? As I stated earlier my boat is on an air tank lift at the marina and hour and a half away and my trailer is another 30 minutes away so any maintenance is difficult if it can be done "one the water".

 

[Johnshan1]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

You really should do the gear lube every year, water in the bearings of that lower unit would do mucho damage in short order.

 

[Rupp]

Re: 9 years is it time to change the fuel filter

You really should do the gear lube every year, water in the bearings of that lower unit would do mucho damage in short order.

When is the best time? Fall (pre-winterization) or Spring?