posted 05-04-2014 10:18 PM ET (US)        

When I repowered with an Optimax 250 two years ago, the installers didn't see fit to replace the bracket.

Now that gas with ethanol is the norm in our area, I've been thinking I'd like to get a Racor filter with a transparent bowl and drain fitting so that I can check for water more easily. I gather that Racor now makes a filter that fits a Mercury-style bracket.

If you were in my shoes, would you: (a) just get the Racor filter and screw it onto the existing bracket? (b) replace the bracket with another Mercury-style bracket with a Racor filter that fits it? or (c) dispense with Mercury compatibility and go with a non-Merc Racor bracket and filter?

I gather from past posts that the Mercury brackets are stainless steel, while the Racor brackets are aluminum and corrode more easily. I therefore was leaning toward (b), unless (a) seems like it would be adequate.

posted 05-05-2014 07:54 AM ET (US)            

RACOR makes their gasoline-water fuel separating filters in several sizes. There is one model that will fit the Mercury manifold. In fact, it seems like that is the most common model based on what I see on the shelf at West Marine. RACOR makes a couple of different manifold types. Some are three port, some are fout port, and one has its own primer bulb--well actually a primer button--built into the bracket. I don't know if they make a stainless steel model.

posted 05-05-2014 08:39 PM ET (US)            

I've had some difficulty finding a Mercury brand stainless steel fuel-water separator filter bracket in this bore on the Internet. The ones I find for Mercury are marked as being made by Sierra -- I wonder if this is Mercury's OEM? I also note that the threaded plugs that come with them to close off unused ports are made of brass. I wonder if there are any potential issues with bimetallic reactions when these metals are used together? Would that be a concern when I look for elbow fittings, which I'll need to fit the space where the filter is mounted under the gunwale?

posted 05-06-2014 09:57 AM ET (US)            

I believe Sierra is strictly aftermarket. Having said that I don't think their products are inferior. At one time I believe Moeller also sold a stainless filter mount.

I had a boat with the Sierra stainless steel mount and it stood up to the elements for many years and looked as good as new when I sold the boat. From the looks of your mount it would make a good replacement.

posted 05-10-2014 09:18 AM ET (US)            

I'm having a hard time finding Mercury's bracket(s) in their parts catalog for purposes of comparison. If I go to the catalog here:

http://www.mercurymarine.com/parts-and-accessories/parts-catalog/

the only option seems to be to browse for my particular engine based on its serial number, or product line and year. If I enter my engine's serial number, the parts are divided into various outboard subsystems, but nowhere among them do I find the fuel-water separating filter or bracket. Is there some other way to search their catalog?

posted 05-10-2014 10:09 AM ET (US)            

I assume the important factor for you is for the mounting holes to match? The filter web sites will provide the hole diameters and center to center distance of the filter mounts the make/sell. The sites will also provide performance data for the filter elements they sell. Flow rate and minimum micron size will be available.

posted 05-10-2014 10:25 PM ET (US)            

From some online searches I found that Moeller makes its own fuel-water filter similar to Racor's, with a see-through bowl and drain valve. However there were a number of reviews online from boaters who said Moeller's bowl and valve tend to leak. I could always go with an all-Racor setup, but some users complained that the threading is a proprietary size and so other filters couldn't be used if necessary in a pinch. I guess in an ideal world I'd still like to go with a Mercury-compatible stainless bracket, and a Racor filter/bowl to fit it.

posted 05-11-2014 10:44 AM ET (US)            

Your ideal world solution would be my choice. I would probably select a Sierra stainless steel bracket and a Racor spin-on see through Mercury Marine size bowl with element.

If I recall correctly that is a fairly low profile arrangement and should fit in the space available.

posted 05-12-2014 05:05 PM ET (US)            

For jimh: Going back to our discussion of the gray fuel hose from the fuel-water separator to the primer bulb. I found some photos of my hose, which show it's marked as "Moeller Marine Products USCG Type B1-15 SAE J1527." I'm not 100% sure, but I'm thinking this hose may not have come with the primer bulb. From web searches it seems as though "J1527" is the spec that's supposed to mean it's ethanol-compatible. Are you still thinking this hose is probably bad news?

posted 05-13-2014 05:24 AM ET (US)            

I originally had the same set up as you. I patched the holes when I removed the old and used two aluminum L brackets to attach the new RACOR filter assemblies to the underside of the gunnel. The elevated position allows filter removal and you can still get a small cup under it to drain the plastic bowl if needed.

I just have the RACOR painted fuel filter brackets. 10 years in a salt water environment and they are still fine. I don't thing the stainless is necessary since the filter assembly is in a partially enclosed area. Hose down after you use the boat and you should be fine.

This is a link to what I installed:

http://www.marinefilters.net/v/vspfiles/pdf/320RRAC01.pdf

About 60 bucks from marinefilters.com.

posted 05-13-2014 12:04 PM ET (US)            

The Racor S3227 filter you're using is shown as supporting a flow rate of 90 GPH, whereas the Racor filter sold as kind of a generic Merc replacement at West Marine is the S3213 which is rated for 60 GPH. Do you have any opinion on whether the higher rating of the S3227 is important? My current engine is a 2011 Optimax 250. I never see anything above 10 GPH on the Smartcraft instrument readout when I'm running, though I know they say you're supposed to have plenty of spare capacity to avoid starving the engine at higher speeds.

posted 05-14-2014 09:13 AM ET (US)            

I believe the Racor S3227 filter is a 60 gallon an hour max fuel flow filter. I don't see a need for a filter with a 90 gallon an hour max fuel flow.

The fuel flow of my 2003 Mercury 250 EFI engine at wide open throttle is approximately 28 gallons per hour according to Smartcraft instrumentation.

I have not noticed a fuel flow problem over the past ten years due to elevating my filter assembly a couple of inches.

Rich