Re: Fuel Filter on Blueband Merc 850
I believe what you're referring to is a fuel stainer. It keeps the big chunks out of the carbs. Most of the time it just needs blowing off with some compressed air. If it's varnished up, then a Gumout sort of product is in order. Earlier 850s had stand-alone strainers. Later ones were attached to the fuel pump.<br /><br />There may also be finer-meshed strainers on your carbs. If the hoses attach to cylinders mounted on the top of the carbs, the strainers are inside there.<br /><br />If it's never been done before, your fuel pump needs rebuilding. The kits aren't expensive and they're definately not Rocket Science to do. The fuel lines are all but guaranteed to be rotton by now. You can't get replacements anymore. But you can get brass fittings and braided fuel hose to get around that problem. Probably for less money, too. Those lines were always rather expensive.<br /><br />There are 7/16 head drain screws at the bottom of each carb. The top one is a cinch. The bottom one will make you cuss in three or four languages. As long as you're at it, remove them and flush plenty of gas through the system once it's all together. That should help flush any crud out of the carbs.
