Value of Fuel-Water Separator - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Value of Fuel-Water Separator

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Value of Fuel-Water Separator

Tom C posted 04-13-2014 08:34 PM ET (US)
In putting together an older Whaler, a 1988 15-footer with a 1988 Johnson 60-HP, is a fuel-water separator of value? I will be using pre-mixed fuel with non-ethanol gasoline whenever possible. The gas tank is 15-gallon. Any advice?
Finz2Right posted 04-13-2014 09:31 PM ET (US)
A [fuel-water separator filter gives one a] lot of insurance for not a lot of money, in my opinion. Conventional 2 strokes can burn more [fuel] than [Yamaha] HPDI and [four-stroke-power-cycle engines], but, in the end, bad gasoline can kill you [or your engine, perhaps--jimh]. It's never a bad idea to have [a fuel-water separating filter], but I have run boats in your set-up without [one]. However, if I knew then what I do now, [I would have] put in one.
jimh posted 04-15-2014 09:51 AM ET (US)
Use of a filter in the fuel line to an outboard engine is prudent. It prevents contaminants in the fuel, including water not in solution, from reaching the engine. There are two general sources of fuel contaminants:
--contaminants that came into your tank with the fuel you purchased, and
--contaminants that developed from your fuel system itself.
A filter removes all of these contaminants that are larger than its filter size rating. Many people use a filter with 10-micron rating.
You may at some time purchase gasoline that is contaminated, either with water or with other debris. A fuel-water separating filter will stop most of this from reaching your outboard engine
With a relatively small volume on-deck fuel tank (like the 15-gallon on-deck tank on your Boston Whaler boat) the chance of developing problems with water precipitating out of solution from the fuel and accumulating a substantial volume on the bottom of the tank is thought to be low. However, you could introduce water into your tank by buying contaminated gasoline, or water could leak into the tank due to poor fit of the fuel filler cap.
Most modern outboard engines now have a fuel filter in their under-cowling fuel system. Check your 1988 engine to see if it has one.
Tom W Clark posted 04-15-2014 10:23 AM ET (US)
I would not use a fuel-water separator in a small boat with a small fuel tank.
It adds considerable clutter, increases the number of possible air leak in the fuel line and usually involves drilling yet more holes in your boat.
If the fuel you intend to use is suspect, filter it before you put int into the tank as opposed to putting contaminated fuel in you tank, letting it sit there and then trying to clean the fuel just before it enters the motor.
Whaler does not (and never has) installed or recommended fuel-water seperators in their small boats with on-deck fuel tanks.
EJO posted 04-15-2014 04:25 PM ET (US)
Like Tom said plus our small boats "slosh around" too much for one of these. Principle of the separator is that water is heavier than fuel therefore "sinking" to the botom. The movement of the smaller boats make that ineffective as it will act as a mixer.
Bottom line.
martyn1075 posted 04-15-2014 07:32 PM ET (US)
Some of the older two stroke outboards such as a Yamaha OSx66 have a separate fuel filter mounted outside the engine usually placed in the bilge area. If one to were to purchase a Parker water filter would that then replace the older style engine fuel filter? or do you need to use both at the same time.
Martyn
contender posted 04-15-2014 08:24 PM ET (US)
I have to agree with Tom on this one, espically if you purchase your gas at different stations and the stations have a big turn over on gas sales. I put one on my 17 and now I'm sorry I did. But now that its on I'll leave it...
jimh posted 04-15-2014 11:10 PM ET (US)
A fuel filter traps all sorts of contaminants, not just water. It is often reported that older rubber fuel hoses degrade and send debris into the fuel system.
If your engine already has a fuel filter--my has a large canister type fuel-water separating filter with an electronic sensor to detect water--you may not need a second filter installed outside the engine.
What is the estimated frequency for external fuel-water separating filters to develop air leaks? What about primer bulbs? Fuel flow sensors? Fuel shut-off valves? I don't think there is a special risk associated with fuel filters. And for a 60-HP engine, you do not need a large canister-type filter.
jimh posted 04-15-2014 11:35 PM ET (US)
Here is some additional advice on the topic of fuel-water separating filters:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/fuelFilter.pdf
Tom W Clark posted 04-15-2014 11:41 PM ET (US)
If your "rubber" fuel hose is degrading, you probably ought to replace it.
Binkster posted 04-16-2014 09:48 AM ET (US)
In agreement with Tom on the above post (also replace your primer bulb when it gets old and hard)and his earlier post on fuel/water separator.
rich
jimh posted 04-16-2014 09:59 AM ET (US)
It is prudent to replace any component in a fuel system that is decaying or degrading. One of the first signs of fuel hose going bad is a clogged fuel filter.
Tom W Clark posted 04-16-2014 12:03 PM ET (US)
If you have a fuel filter that has been clogged by bits of a deteriorating fuel hose, you have already missed several more obvious indications it was in need of replacement.
hullinthewater posted 04-16-2014 12:42 PM ET (US)
I posted a query on fuel filters last week in relation to a 2014 Yamaha F70 install pending. At the time, I had considered a Racor 025-02, 10 micron w/water separator.
Given the points made about small volume deck tanks, and that Yamaha provides a built-in filter/h20 separator, I decided to skip it for now.
The built-in filter looks to be at least a 1/2 hour operation to R&R, which the Racor might have been a bit quicker to do and it has the advantage of seeing a fuel bowl for water, but in the end, it's one less interruption in the fuel line and one less item to deal with for install/mounting.
My only concern about the Yamaha system is how much time do you have before it reaches a critical point, especially if you're a couple of hours from dock or trailer.
In the case of a Montauk, a 12-24 month interval of fuel line/bulb change is not that difficult or expensive to do if material disntegration is suspected.

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: Value of Fuel-Water Separator
Tom C	posted 04-13-2014 08:34 PM ET (US) In putting together an older Whaler, a 1988 15-footer with a 1988 Johnson 60-HP, is a fuel-water separator of value? I will be using pre-mixed fuel with non-ethanol gasoline whenever possible. The gas tank is 15-gallon. Any advice?
Finz2Right	posted 04-13-2014 09:31 PM ET (US) A [fuel-water separator filter gives one a] lot of insurance for not a lot of money, in my opinion. Conventional 2 strokes can burn more [fuel] than [Yamaha] HPDI and [four-stroke-power-cycle engines], but, in the end, bad gasoline can kill you [or your engine, perhaps--jimh]. It's never a bad idea to have [a fuel-water separating filter], but I have run boats in your set-up without [one]. However, if I knew then what I do now, [I would have] put in one.
jimh	posted 04-15-2014 09:51 AM ET (US) Use of a filter in the fuel line to an outboard engine is prudent. It prevents contaminants in the fuel, including water not in solution, from reaching the engine. There are two general sources of fuel contaminants: --contaminants that came into your tank with the fuel you purchased, and --contaminants that developed from your fuel system itself. A filter removes all of these contaminants that are larger than its filter size rating. Many people use a filter with 10-micron rating. You may at some time purchase gasoline that is contaminated, either with water or with other debris. A fuel-water separating filter will stop most of this from reaching your outboard engine With a relatively small volume on-deck fuel tank (like the 15-gallon on-deck tank on your Boston Whaler boat) the chance of developing problems with water precipitating out of solution from the fuel and accumulating a substantial volume on the bottom of the tank is thought to be low. However, you could introduce water into your tank by buying contaminated gasoline, or water could leak into the tank due to poor fit of the fuel filler cap. Most modern outboard engines now have a fuel filter in their under-cowling fuel system. Check your 1988 engine to see if it has one.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-15-2014 10:23 AM ET (US) I would not use a fuel-water separator in a small boat with a small fuel tank. It adds considerable clutter, increases the number of possible air leak in the fuel line and usually involves drilling yet more holes in your boat. If the fuel you intend to use is suspect, filter it before you put int into the tank as opposed to putting contaminated fuel in you tank, letting it sit there and then trying to clean the fuel just before it enters the motor. Whaler does not (and never has) installed or recommended fuel-water seperators in their small boats with on-deck fuel tanks.
EJO	posted 04-15-2014 04:25 PM ET (US) Like Tom said plus our small boats "slosh around" too much for one of these. Principle of the separator is that water is heavier than fuel therefore "sinking" to the botom. The movement of the smaller boats make that ineffective as it will act as a mixer. Bottom line.
martyn1075	posted 04-15-2014 07:32 PM ET (US) Some of the older two stroke outboards such as a Yamaha OSx66 have a separate fuel filter mounted outside the engine usually placed in the bilge area. If one to were to purchase a Parker water filter would that then replace the older style engine fuel filter? or do you need to use both at the same time. Martyn
contender	posted 04-15-2014 08:24 PM ET (US) I have to agree with Tom on this one, espically if you purchase your gas at different stations and the stations have a big turn over on gas sales. I put one on my 17 and now I'm sorry I did. But now that its on I'll leave it...
jimh	posted 04-15-2014 11:10 PM ET (US) A fuel filter traps all sorts of contaminants, not just water. It is often reported that older rubber fuel hoses degrade and send debris into the fuel system. If your engine already has a fuel filter--my has a large canister type fuel-water separating filter with an electronic sensor to detect water--you may not need a second filter installed outside the engine. What is the estimated frequency for external fuel-water separating filters to develop air leaks? What about primer bulbs? Fuel flow sensors? Fuel shut-off valves? I don't think there is a special risk associated with fuel filters. And for a 60-HP engine, you do not need a large canister-type filter.
jimh	posted 04-15-2014 11:35 PM ET (US) Here is some additional advice on the topic of fuel-water separating filters: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/fuelFilter.pdf
Tom W Clark	posted 04-15-2014 11:41 PM ET (US) If your "rubber" fuel hose is degrading, you probably ought to replace it.
Binkster	posted 04-16-2014 09:48 AM ET (US) In agreement with Tom on the above post (also replace your primer bulb when it gets old and hard)and his earlier post on fuel/water separator. rich
jimh	posted 04-16-2014 09:59 AM ET (US) It is prudent to replace any component in a fuel system that is decaying or degrading. One of the first signs of fuel hose going bad is a clogged fuel filter.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-16-2014 12:03 PM ET (US) If you have a fuel filter that has been clogged by bits of a deteriorating fuel hose, you have already missed several more obvious indications it was in need of replacement.
hullinthewater	posted 04-16-2014 12:42 PM ET (US) I posted a query on fuel filters last week in relation to a 2014 Yamaha F70 install pending. At the time, I had considered a Racor 025-02, 10 micron w/water separator. Given the points made about small volume deck tanks, and that Yamaha provides a built-in filter/h20 separator, I decided to skip it for now. The built-in filter looks to be at least a 1/2 hour operation to R&R, which the Racor might have been a bit quicker to do and it has the advantage of seeing a fuel bowl for water, but in the end, it's one less interruption in the fuel line and one less item to deal with for install/mounting. My only concern about the Yamaha system is how much time do you have before it reaches a critical point, especially if you're a couple of hours from dock or trailer. In the case of a Montauk, a 12-24 month interval of fuel line/bulb change is not that difficult or expensive to do if material disntegration is suspected.