Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

[Marcq]

Hi guys, how often are you suppose to change the filter or what kind of maintenance are you suppose to do to it?

Thanks, Marc..

 

[Bamboo]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

Do you have a straight spin-on (looks like an oil filter) or something like a Racor with a bowl on it?

The spin-on type should be changed every 100 hours or so (your motor mfg probably has a schedule for this the owner's handbook). If you are a MTBE user transitioning to E-10 then you might want to change it more often during the transition. I'll be transitioning to E-10 the next time I fill the tank and intend to carry two extra fuel water seperators on-board just in case. And then change the filter after the first 60 gallons (one tank) and cut it open to see how it looks. If you have a Racor, you can check to bowl and drain the water as needed. I think the element still needs to be replaced every 100 hours or so.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

I always change mine at the beginning of each season. I have a 100 gallon tank and lots of condensation goes on. Maybe for tanks half that size can go maybe longer, but I would still change it if it was me. It beats being broken down out on the water. Changing one, or even trying to dump excess water out of one while out on the water is very dangerous. The gas can cause a explosion hazard while on board. Not the place to do a repair like that.

 

[Marcq]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

Thanks guys, just realize they're so cheap might as well change them every year.
I have the type that looks like an oil filter

Marc..

 

[torcano]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

I can't seem to find my fuel/water separator. I have a Mercruiser 5.0L MPI I/O Bravo III. Do all these engines have these separators? I have a 2004 SeaRay Sundancer. I do not see anything that remotely looks like the diagram in the generic operator's manual.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

Follow the fuel line backwards from the engine. If you get to the tank and don't see an "oil-filter" looking assembly, you don't have a water separating fuel filter.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

If you're running E-10 you want a 10 micron filter and you want the abilty to see if there is any water in the filter and drain it without removing the filter from the housing.

Most spin-on type filters are 30 micron or better if i remember correctly.

 

[BBP]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

When taking the filter off do you have to pinch of the fuel lines on either side of the filter holder?

 

[Shadow66]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

I always change mine at the beginning of each season. I have a 100 gallon tank and lots of condensation goes on. Maybe for tanks half that size can go maybe longer, but I would still change it if it was me. It beats being broken down out on the water. Changing one, or even trying to dump excess water out of one while out on the water is very dangerous. The gas can cause a explosion hazard while on board. Not the place to do a repair like that.

Why? I get rid of the water all the time in my filter lately (gotta get the water out of there...not sure why it is still this way after I drained the tank). What is dangerous about changing a spin on filter on the water? As long as I run the blower after doing it it is always fine.

 

[David Greer]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

Don't dump out the filter and re-use it; you end up mixing what was seperated. Drop the old one in a ziplock (the one you carry your spare in) and dispose of properly.
You are still getting water b/c that's what E-10 does to fuel. Treat your gas and keep the tank full.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

When taking the filter off do you have to pinch of the fuel lines on either side of the filter holder?

Nope -- just be sure to keep the filter level as you lower it off the threaded spindle. It will be half to three quarters full. Spin on the new one hand tight (don't use a wrench!) and add an additional bit of a turn once the rubber gasket meets the metal sealing surface of the filter base. There are instructions on the box or filter itself as well.

I find one of those strap-type filter wrenches real handy for removal too.

If you are installing a filter kit from scratch, put some time and thought into the location for ease of maintenance, pay attention to the flow indicators on the filter base (it's designed for fuel to flow only one direction through it), and be sure to mount it so the filter itself hangs down vertically from the base.

One final bit of advice -- don't use cheesy hardware store clamps for your fuel lines. Get dedicated fuel system rated ones. They cost ten times as much (yeah, three dollars instead of thirty cents each...) but they are designed to hold better, clamp evenly, and have rolled edges so the metal doesn't cut into the line. Fuel systems are one area where you don't fool around.

 

[rentprop1]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

might be a stupid question here , but :

are you supposed to oil the gasket like you would with an oil filter ??

reason I asked is someone must have not done it last time and I had to scrape off the old gasket in pieces....my engine is a 2 stroke so I used 2 stroke oil

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

might be a stupid question here , but :

are you supposed to oil the gasket like you would with an oil filter ??

reason I asked is someone must have not done it last time and I had to scrape off the old gasket in pieces....my engine is a 2 stroke so I used 2 stroke oil

No such thing as a dumb question around here!

As I recall (way back last fall) the instructions on my filter suggested smearing a thin film of oil on the gasket. I've had some doosies stuck on in my time too.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

You are still getting water b/c that's what E-10 does to fuel. Treat your gas and keep the tank full.

E-10 absorbs water, yes. But E-10 can only absorb 0.05% by volume of water so there is no way that E-10 causing an accumulation of water in his separator each time out. He either has free water in the bottom of the tank or an entry point for water somewhere in your system i.e. fuel vent.

FWIW: I?ve burned almost 250 gallons in the last 3 weeks. I?ve gotten maybe 1 ? 1? teaspoons of water out of my filters in that time period. Most of which came after my first outing of the year and the fuel sat in the tanks since the end of December.

 

[David Greer]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

would condensation in the tank also add to the water that accumlates in the bottom? I agree it sounds like a leak, as well, if not at the fill/vent area then top of the tank at the openings for fill, line out, sending unit, etc.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

would condensation in the tank also add to the water that accumlates in the bottom? I agree it sounds like a leak, as well, if not at the fill/vent area then top of the tank at the openings for fill, line out, sending unit, etc.

E-10 have the ability to absorb water up to 0.5% of it's volume without causing problems. What little water that might actually condensate would be easily be absorbed into the fuel mixture. In fact they recommend that you fill up with fresh fuel every time to use the water absorption properties of E-10 to your advantage.

 

[sethjon]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

Change it at the beginning of the season.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

I change mine every 3 months, it's a 10 micron. I'm on the water alot, the filters are cheap the outboards ain't and I use E10 fuel.

 

[WoodenPontoon]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

I'm starting to mount a permanent fuel tank in a compartment under the deck. There is a large access hatch into the compartment from above. I am thinking about mounting the fuel water separator in the same compartment, as there is plenty of room for it. The filter would be about 2 feet from the hull bottom just below the deck. Is this an acceptable location?

 

[gss036]

Re: Marine Gas Fuel Water Separator Filter ?

Not all filters are made for below deck installation. Read the instructions. If it is an outboard, I would recommend installation on the bulkhead in the engine well.