Mercury fuel filter question

[nokiddin]

Hey all. I have a 1984 Mercury in-line 6 cyl 90 hp. Wanna change the in line fuel filter. I've never picked up a filter for an outboard before. Does the filter need to be anything special for outboard application or for my particular engine? or will any run of the mill in line fuel filter work?

Thanks for the help!

 

[robert graham]

Your best bet is to purchase and install a Walmart/Attwood fuel/water separator($25) on your transom....a great investment in clean fuel/preventive maintenance....

 

[jimmbo]

There is a fine mesh screen inside the fuel pump. That was the only filter that engine came with from the factory. Any additional filter needs to be a low restriction filter so as not to cause any fuel starvation issues

 

[Chris1956]

If you have backdrag carbs, there should be a SS screen under the brass elbows, that screw into the carb covers. They usually do not clog,,,,but sometimes they do. It is best to blow thru them and see.

 

[nokiddin]

Hey thanks for the replies guys. ​

When I bought this boat 4 years ago, there was an inline fuel filter already installed between the priming bulb and the engine. I haven't changed it. This year, I took the boat out on the water and when running at higher speeds, the engine would bog down/cut down to a lower rpm for a second, then rev back up, and repeat. This would happen periodically. The gas was in the tanks since last season and to be honest it is possible it was still from 2 seasons ago, but I think it was from last season. I mixed some fresh gas and it seemed to run better, but was not completely better. Therefore, I wanted to go through the fuel delivery system. The priming bulb has never really got firm, but does now after I tightened some fuel line connections. I also wanted to change this inline filter in case its clogged a bit.

I guess I should maybe check these other screens, but hopefully they will be fine since there was an in-line filter.

I will also change the plugs.

I have never had an issue like this in the time I had the boat, so there is something new going on. If you guys have any other ideas, please feel free to mention them.

 

[Chris1956]

I would sack the inline filter and install a water seperator-style filter in the boat. The fuel delivery system on that motor is marginal, and any restrictions can do what you are seeing.