Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

[gt2003]

1997 Monterey Montura with a 4.3L V-6 Mercruiser and an Alpha series lower unit. It's the first year I've had a boat and am wondering if emptying the oil/water seperator is enough. Is it something that needs replacement from time to time? I've used the search function but couldn't find anything that answered my question. Thanks.

 

[mkast]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

What are you doing?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

I've had my water/fuel separater installed a couple of years and so far just dump it and put it back on, usually just a few particles of trash is all that's in it. I do keep a spare cartridge in my boat for when/if I need it. Of course my boat just has a 12 gallon red plastic above board tank and I don't get much water or trash in it, and I use the Stabil Marine all the time. For large, built-in tanks with more trash and water, then the maintenance on the filters would be more of an important issue. If I had a large boat and tanks, I'd probably run the Racor filter with the clear plastic cup on the bottom, so you can see the water and drain it out with the pet-****. It just depends on your application and what it takes to do the job. Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

One other item, I don't think the filters with the clear plastic bowl on the bottoms are Coast Guard approved for inboard engine applications.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Why dump it and contaminate the clean filter media? They are made to be replaced,not dumped.
Its what...once a year and 12 to 20 bucks for a filter?
They will rust inside the filter too.....

 

[gt2003]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

What are you doing?

As you can tell, I'm new to this. I don't have an engine manual yet but am trying to learn as much as I can about general care/maintenance until I get a manual. So, basically I'm asking a general question. I know where the seperator is located but I wasn't sure about replacing the filter or how often it should be replaced etc.

If you are asking about boat use, generally pulling kids around on the tube 3-4 hours per weekend during the summer. We will run up the lake 3-4 miles but nothing spectacular.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Ayuh,... Reusin' a fuel filter is paramount to Reusin' a prophylactic in My mind....

The Only time I've ever Reused a fuel filter was Many miles off shore, Without a replacement...

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Ayuh,... Reusin' a fuel filter is paramount to Reusin' a prophylactic in My mind....


I will never see my fuel filter in the same light again...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Dang Bond-o....LMAO!!! Very true though bud!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Ayuh,... Reusin' a fuel filter is paramount to Reusin' a prophylactic in My mind....

The Only time I've ever Reused a fuel filter was Many miles off shore, Without a replacement...

Desperate times call for desperate measures.....

 

[gt2003]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

So, how often should it be replaced?

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

I do mine annually. Keep a spare on board should I get plugged up for some reason. Don't want to wind up like Bondo...

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Depending on how often we use the boat, we replace the filters every 1-2 years. We use Sierra 10 Micron Filters, only $6 a pop.

 

[gt2003]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Yearly sounds like a good idea. I had to run by wally world after work today and they are very reasonably priced. It's worth the 6 or 7 bucks for sure.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Yearly sounds like a good idea. I had to run by wally world after work today and they are very reasonably priced. It's worth the 6 or 7 bucks for sure.

Did you get the quicksilver filters? I believe those are only 21 micron if youre worried about that. After having some troubles with our fuel Im sticking with 10 micron.

 

[gt2003]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Jeepster, I haven't bought anything yet. Where should I look for the 10 micron ones?

 

[sethjon]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

So, how often should it be replaced?

Yearly and you won't have any problems.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Jeepster, I haven't bought anything yet. Where should I look for the 10 micron ones?

Forget microns. All filters are good and will definitely lasy a year.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Jeepster, I haven't bought anything yet. Where should I look for the 10 micron ones?

http://www.iboats.com/Fuel-Water-Fi...0871507--**********.378680010--view_id.382793

 

[robert graham]

Re: Is emptying fuel/water seperator enough?

Dumping or changing the filter cartridges has to be relative to the condition of your fuel tank/system. If you have a big, old, contaminated tank/fuel system then weekly or monthly could be required. If your fuel tank is small, clean, fresh fuel, etc., then the filters could last quite a while. My cartridge has been on at least a couple of years now with no problems. The other consideration is the size of your motor and the fuel flow, so a partially plugged filter could restrict fuel flow in a large high-flow/high HP motor, but not as much in a smaller motor. If you just don't know about all this, then maybe you should plan to replace the cartridge every 6 months or so, just to be on the safe side, at least until you become familiar with your system. When ever I change a fuel filter cartridge on the car, I cut it open with a hack saw to inspect the paper element in it to get an idea about any water or debris in my system, then I know more what I've got. Good Luck!