Fuel Filter Location

[jgmader]

I have a 1999 Johnson 90HP that has never had the fuel filter replaced. Is the fuel filter on the motor itself, or somewhere in-line within the hull? So far, I have managed to get non-ethanol gas but that is changing, and I want to be ready for any filter problems...

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

There should be a small, removable, cleanable filter/screen on the side of the motor inside the cowl, but you need to install a fuel/water separator on your transom between the primer bulb and fuel line quick-disconnect on your motor. Walmart sells a pretty good unit for $27, and $8 for replacement cartridges. Looks and acts just like the oil filter on a car and really does a much better job keeping debris and water out of your motor than the small motor mounted filters. It's a breeze to install, just take your time and do it right so your fuel lines don't kink up or rub on anything when the motor moves back and forth while steering. Good Luck!

 

[psteurer]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

That is good advice to install a water fuel separator. But, depending upon your boating application, I do not think it is required. I am running a 2008 Honda 50 and a 1989 Johnson 20 and do not have a water fuel separator on either. I would definitely get one if I had a boat with a large fuel tank that had fuel that sat for long periods of time. If you refresh your fuel frequently by running as you would in a smaller fuel tank, the chance for the fuel to separate is less. Running a fuel stabilizer will also prevent the separation as well.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

It doesn't take a very big piece of debris to plug a carb jet, lean it out and fry a cylinder or at the very least require a carb or injector cleaning. Before I installed the fuel/water separator I would drain my carbs and sometimes get a small bit of trash/water out of float chamber and there was also always some trash/water in my engine mounted filter/screen. After I installed the fuel/water separator, there is nothing at all in the carbs or engine mounted filter/screen, it's all getting stopped before it ever gets there. I really like that! Call it dirt cheap preventive maintenance and the darn Walmart fuel/water separator is only $27! Good Luck!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

The filters at Wal-mart are typically 28 micron or higher. They stop the small fish and rodents from passing but that's about all they are good for nowadays.

For E-10 you want a good quality, 10 micron or better filter. Preferably one with a clear bottom (Racor are the most popular) so you can see how much water has accumulation and drain it if need be.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

Yep, I'm sorry I should have mentioned that anything smaller than small fish and rodents pass right through the Walmart filter, but it works great! I used to get rats in my carb jets all the time, no more carb rats now!

 

[lselmes]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

I have a 1990 Johnson 8hp and was about to ask the same question. I use a fuel/water seperator filter on my main motor (115 Yami) that works like a charm but was thinking of installing a Tempo disposable inline fuel filter for my Johnson as it gets used regularly for trolling. Is this even neccesary or should I just rely on the filter in the fuel pump and keep it clean? Thanks

 

[robert graham]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

Install the fuel/water separator, drain carb a couple of times a year, use Stabil Marine all the time, eliminate the fuel problems before they happen! My Yamaha 90HP is a 1999 model and never had any fuel problems, carbs never been cleaned. What can you say, it works! I really have had excellent results with the Walmart fuel/water separator for my carbed motor. If I ran an injected motor like a HPDI or other with all the extra pumps, filters and injectors then I would invest in a Racor or Yamaha 10 micron or even 2 micron filter because I believe those motors stand to gain greatly from that extra level of filtration. Good Luck!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

Lots of companies make 10 micron water separating fuel filters, see: http://www.teleflexmarine.com/homepagePDFs/usafiltrationbrochure.pdf

If you use the large water separating filters, consider removing other redundant filters so that you don't create too much restriction on the supply line; also avoid angles when possible. The water separating filters work on gravity so they need to be in the most stable position possible and mounted level.

 

[jgmader]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

Thanks for the great feedback!! I'll locate the filter/screen on the motor and also install a water seperator. I hear Marine Sta-Bil works great on ethanol but if it cleans the fuel system as advertised, the "bits and pieces" have to go somewhere; it seems I might still want to install a water seperator to catch the large chunks and the water in ethanol......

 

[ezeke]

Re: Fuel Filter Location

Regular StaBil is a fuel stabilizer and does not represent that it serves other functions. It should be added to fresh fuel at the time of purchase.

You definitely should have a water separating filter; my suggestion is to get rid of redundant, less desirable ones.