Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

[CZSteve]

Should I add a canister style fuel filter / water separator to our 1997 Force 90hp?
We've been fine all these years without but can't help but wonder if it's something I should add.

I did read a thread where supposedly someone thought they lost some top end power as a result restricted fuel flow after adding a filter.

Yes or no on adding?
If yes, filter up stream or down stream of the primer bulb?
(I'm assuming downstream of the bulb so you pushing the fuel thru the filter)

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

That kind of filter will provide plenty of throughput of fuel for your motor. No issue with fuel restriction, if installed properly. Install between primer bulb and tank.

Water separators are a real good idea for permanent tanks. If you are using portable 6 gal tanks, make sure you pour off any water, before refilling, and you should have no issues, and really no need for a water separator.

 

[CZSteve]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

Chris, thanks for the reply. We do have a permanent tank.

Why do you say to install the filter between the tank and primer bulb?
On another forum one person said the same as you and another recomends to place the filter down stream of the primer.

In my pea-brain head it seems that it would be easier to push the fuel thru the filter as opposed to pulling it thru. Or am I incorrect? Other factors I'm not considering?

Best,
SA

 

[Don Hansen]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

Most fuel filter/water separators are rated at gallons-per-hour. The one I have for my 35 hp is rated at 25 gallons-per-hour and that's about 5 times what the motor uses at full throttle. Filters are available that will flow over 90 gallons-per-hour. It's the peace of mind factor that's important.

DLH

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

SA, a "standard" water seperator canister $6-8 at Wallyworld, can provide at least 20 gal/hour, which will work for you. Some are rated at 40G/hr.

Whereas I understand your question, I have always been advised to install between primer and tank. It will keep the primer bulb clean, and once the seperator is full of fuel, pushing or pulling makes no difference. They can be a bit of a chore to prime, but there are some tricks to do it.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

Put it between the bulb and the tank. On most installations there isn't enough room between the bulb and the motor. But it will work in either place.

 

[zenwriter]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

Easy way to prime is to fill the filter with gas before installing. Have mine between bulb and tank and never had a problem.

Put it between the bulb and the tank. On most installations there isn't enough room between the bulb and the motor. But it will work in either place.

 

[CZSteve]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

Follow-up Question:
Does the Force outboard only have the in-line 1/4" fuel filter standard or is there another internal fuel filter I should change / clean?
I also discovered the previous 'mechanic' @ the marina installed the in-line filter backwards when we had to use him because of time constraints...

1. Should I just omit the standard in-line fuel filter if I'm adding the canister style in order to address any added restriction concern?
2. If best to keep the in-line in addition to the canister - OK to go with a regular NAPA fuel filter as opposed to what is shown in the pic (looks just like the oil filter we use on the 2-stroke SeaDoo)?

Here's the canister filter I picked up from Academy:
Academy - Moeller Marine Water Separating Fuel Filter Bonus Pack Kit

This is what I'm calling a standard in-line fuel filter:
BF7736 - 23002 - Baldwin replacement for NAPA SILVER # 23002 - Filter Products

 

[dingbat]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

The design of a coalescing filter requires the filter to be installed on the vacuum side of the system. Racor and the other filter manufacturers are very specific about this requirement.

In effect, the primer bulb is a pump. Installing the filter after the primer bulb puts the filter on the pressure side of the system. The contaminants are ?pumped? thru the filter instead of being ?sucked? into the filter where they separated by gravitiy and settle to the bottom of the collection bowl for removal.

1. Should I just omit the standard in-line fuel filter if I'm adding the canister style in order to address any added restriction concern?

You should be using a 10-micron filter with E-10. Looking at the link you supplied, I have my doubts that the filter you installed meets that criteria. Looks like a plain old fuel filter. If so I?d leave the inline filter.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

I agree 10 micron.

interesting explanation about before/after bulb; my boats are rigged both ways with no apparent issues. I can sort of see how hard-pushing the gas through the filter when priming might keep it from cleaning well by gravity but that would only matter for a few squeezes when priming; when it's running it's all equal. Also I wonder if the drain-type filter like Racor is more sensitive than the cannister.

I would get a marine-grade filter. Maybe it doesn't matter, but that's what I do--but I'm in salt water, too.

Hold the bulb vertical when priming and it works better. Doesn't matter if it lays flat when running.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

I agree 10 micron.

interesting explanation about before/after bulb; my boats are rigged both ways with no apparent issues. I can sort of see how hard-pushing the gas through the filter when priming might keep it from cleaning well by gravity but that would only matter for a few squeezes when priming; when it's running it's all equal. Also I wonder if the drain-type filter like Racor is more sensitive than the cannister.

I would get a marine-grade filter. Maybe it doesn't matter, but that's what I do--but I'm in salt water, too.

Hold the bulb vertical when priming and it works better. Doesn't matter if it lays flat when running.

Yup, I agree. Holding the bulb vertical makes it a lot easier.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

Installation instructions

http://www.parker.com/literature/Racor/10223_Rev_B_120R-RAC_Series.pdf