Changing Fuel Water Separator Filter - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Changing Fuel Water Separator Filter

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Changing Fuel Water Separator Filter

NausetBoy posted 03-18-2003 07:24 PM ET (US)
How often should I change the fuel/water separator on my boat? Thanks
Dick posted 03-18-2003 08:24 PM ET (US)
They don't cost much and at least once a year is a good idea. I do mine every spring.
Dick
NausetBoy posted 03-18-2003 08:28 PM ET (US)
How do I know what kind? The dealer out on the last one when I got my new engine. Thanks!
aubv posted 03-18-2003 08:37 PM ET (US)
NausetBoy,
There may be a number on the outside of the filter but of course the number will be on the back side of the filter against a bulkhead. A local NAPA store probably carries the filter and I believe there are only two thread sizes. You can't confuse the two.
Take the old one off and bring it along or buy one of each size, make sure you can exchange the wrong one for a second right one. That way you have a spare.
fwiw
Dick posted 03-18-2003 09:04 PM ET (US)
Correct, there are two thread sizes Mercury and OMC. Sierra makes both sizes and they are available at most NAPA stores.
Like NausetBoy suggested take the old filter with you to match up the size.
Dick
Florida15 posted 03-19-2003 10:30 AM ET (US)
Is a water separator really necessary on a small outboard ?
I had one installed on my '96 Regal I/O at
the urging of my mechanic (then sold it 3 months later) but I thought that was mostly because it was an I/O.
I don't have one on my Johnson 50 and I have an '82 35 hp Evinrude on my 13' that I have never had a problem with. Have I just been lucky ?
Bigshot posted 03-19-2003 11:17 AM ET (US)
usually on top of the mount it will say Mercury or OMC. If not due like above and buy both or bring in old one.
For above deck tanks I do not feel they are necessary, even with my 27 Pate. I would not install one for smaller engines, a good inline filter is plenty. Get the glass ones with the replacable filters for about $10 and it comes with a couple spares.
captbone posted 03-19-2003 02:17 PM ET (US)
I always love to go the extra mile and with a Racor you can mount it with pride and show it off alittle bit. They also have a sensor that you can hook up to tell you you have water and then you can just drain it out the bottom without removing the element. I feel it was a great buy and it gives me just that extra bit of security knowing that I can see what is going on with my fuel. I agree with bigshot on the smaller tanks and the lack of need of a seperator.
jimh posted 03-19-2003 10:50 PM ET (US)
[Administrative post]
Drisney posted 03-20-2003 12:25 AM ET (US)
In responce to Florida; I don't think that the size of the motor is the big determinator. With my 13 and 17 I could visualy inspect the tanks as they were removeable 6 gallon tanks. Now that I have my 22 Revenge with a big in hull tank that I cannot inspect I put a Racor filter on it. The larger tank is more suseptable to condensation and I am less likely to run it dry. And most importantly I can never easily inspect it.... Dave

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Changing Fuel Water Separator Filter
NausetBoy	posted 03-18-2003 07:24 PM ET (US) How often should I change the fuel/water separator on my boat? Thanks
Dick	posted 03-18-2003 08:24 PM ET (US) They don't cost much and at least once a year is a good idea. I do mine every spring. Dick
NausetBoy	posted 03-18-2003 08:28 PM ET (US) How do I know what kind? The dealer out on the last one when I got my new engine. Thanks!
aubv	posted 03-18-2003 08:37 PM ET (US) NausetBoy, There may be a number on the outside of the filter but of course the number will be on the back side of the filter against a bulkhead. A local NAPA store probably carries the filter and I believe there are only two thread sizes. You can't confuse the two. Take the old one off and bring it along or buy one of each size, make sure you can exchange the wrong one for a second right one. That way you have a spare. fwiw
Dick	posted 03-18-2003 09:04 PM ET (US) Correct, there are two thread sizes Mercury and OMC. Sierra makes both sizes and they are available at most NAPA stores. Like NausetBoy suggested take the old filter with you to match up the size. Dick
Florida15	posted 03-19-2003 10:30 AM ET (US) Is a water separator really necessary on a small outboard ? I had one installed on my '96 Regal I/O at the urging of my mechanic (then sold it 3 months later) but I thought that was mostly because it was an I/O. I don't have one on my Johnson 50 and I have an '82 35 hp Evinrude on my 13' that I have never had a problem with. Have I just been lucky ?
Bigshot	posted 03-19-2003 11:17 AM ET (US) usually on top of the mount it will say Mercury or OMC. If not due like above and buy both or bring in old one. For above deck tanks I do not feel they are necessary, even with my 27 Pate. I would not install one for smaller engines, a good inline filter is plenty. Get the glass ones with the replacable filters for about $10 and it comes with a couple spares.
captbone	posted 03-19-2003 02:17 PM ET (US) I always love to go the extra mile and with a Racor you can mount it with pride and show it off alittle bit. They also have a sensor that you can hook up to tell you you have water and then you can just drain it out the bottom without removing the element. I feel it was a great buy and it gives me just that extra bit of security knowing that I can see what is going on with my fuel. I agree with bigshot on the smaller tanks and the lack of need of a seperator.
jimh	posted 03-19-2003 10:50 PM ET (US) [Administrative post]
Drisney	posted 03-20-2003 12:25 AM ET (US) In responce to Florida; I don't think that the size of the motor is the big determinator. With my 13 and 17 I could visualy inspect the tanks as they were removeable 6 gallon tanks. Now that I have my 22 Revenge with a big in hull tank that I cannot inspect I put a Racor filter on it. The larger tank is more suseptable to condensation and I am less likely to run it dry. And most importantly I can never easily inspect it.... Dave