Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

[Paterson00]

I am going through my newly aquired boat and think that I have two fuel filters in the same line. Am I right and if so do I need them? Probably not right? I am trying to tidy up the boat to make it look better and think I can get rid of one of these. Can you confirm?

 

[matt167]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

Top is a water/ Fuel seperator, bottom looks to be just a black filter, so you can probably get rid of the filter.. It looks like there is some issues with that grey line anyway.

 

[Paterson00]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

Top is a water/ Fuel seperator, bottom looks to be just a black filter, so you can probably get rid of the filter.. It looks like there is some issues with that grey line anyway.

WouldntI want a fuel filter? Which grey line are you referring to? I have two here. One is the steering controls and teh other coming off the fule filter is obviously the fuel line. There is a little grease on the fuel line where it goes through the hole on the right to go to the engine if that is what you are referring to.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

That is a very dangerous installation since nothing is secured. That dangling fuel line swings and sways and will eventually break off (probably right at the upper filter). Fuel then can siphon into the bilge. That upper unit is likely a fuel filter and not a fuel/water separater but you need to look at it carefully. If there is a sintered bronze filter inside the glass bowl then that is a fuel filter and the black one would not be needed. There would likely be a vertical tube inside the bowl that passes down inside the bronze filter element. That element seals against the top and bottom of the bowl so fuel is drawn through the filter and up the tube to the engine. It is very likely that the prior owner removed the bronze filter element and installed the black one. If that's the case, I would remove the glass unit and keep the black filter or replace the bronze filter and eliminate the black filter.. Leakage on the glass unit could be as much a problem as the dangling hose. The most practical solution here would be to replace both of those units with a true fuel water separator which does both functions and has an oil filter style canister.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

The upper filter/separator is of the type commonly found on vintage farm machinery and autos (at least here in the states). The lower filter is a commonly found inline filter normally seen in autos and lawn equipment.
The grey hose in question is in the upper right of the picture and I believe I see either swelling from deterioration or overly tight clamps.

Personally, I would remove the whole mess, install an Atwood type water/separator and replace all the fuel line with marine grade hose. Additionally, double clamps are highly recommended on all fuel hoses.

No worries Mate, you're making progress!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

Those were not a water separator. It is merely a way to tell if there was water in the fuel. They also almost always had the bronze element in them.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

Yes, get rid of that entire mess and start over. This is what I use on my Checkmate:

GAS F/W SEP FILTER ASSY - Racor 490RRAC01 - iboats


Or alternatively, I have one of these on my little fish-n-ski:


Fuel Filter / Water Separator - Seasense 50052103 - iboats

And do as everyone else has said, replace all that fuel line. Iboats sells it, as well as your local marine dealer. Instead of letting it flop around you can neatly secure it with Adel clamps, something like these:

MS21919 WDG CLAMPS from Aircraft Spruce

 

[Paterson00]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

Ok thanks for your time and comments. I have much to learn. I have taken a load more photos of the boat today so I can share them on here to get opinions of all of it really. I had taken a load before but they were to big to upload. I have tidied the assembly up with a few cable ties for the time being until cash flow is good again. My fuel line is cased in fibre glass from the bow where the tank is through to the rear where it becomes what you can see here. Is that normal?

 

[Paterson00]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

Yes, get rid of that entire mess and start over. This is what I use on my Checkmate:

Just been skimming through your rebuild pics, nice boat and inspiring too.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

You are flirting with disaster sir. Look at that upper glass filter bowl. Does the wire retainer look safe to you? Rust has nearly eaten away the tabs on that wire. If one or both breah off the bowl drops off and you have a bilge full of fuel, a dead engine, and No way to repair it on the water.

 

[Paterson00]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

You are flirting with disaster sir. Look at that upper glass filter bowl. Does the wire retainer look safe to you? Rust has nearly eaten away the tabs on that wire. If one or both breah off the bowl drops off and you have a bilge full of fuel, a dead engine, and No way to repair it on the water.

You make a good point and one which I didnt realise. Now I know the issue I can address it. I will drag the boat to my local boat shop and see what they reccomend.

What is your opinion of my fuel line being encased in fibre glass all the way through the hull. Its full supported and is away from damage, the only thing is I have no idea of its condition. I am working away again now for a while so I cant check it just yet to see how far through the boat the exposed line is.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

There is only one reasonable solution. Remove both filters and install a water separating fuel filter as suggested earlier. They are not a budget buster.

 

[Paterson00]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

There is only one reasonable solution. Remove both filters and install a water separating fuel filter as suggested earlier. They are not a budget buster.

I can see that from the link that was put up earlier. When I said I was going to drag the boat to the shop and see what they reccomend I meant so I could buy it from there if the price was not significantly more. Could I ask you opinion of the fuel line encased in the fibre glass?

When I get the combined water seperator fuel filter would I just cut back the fuel line as far as possible, renew as much as possible with the one device in line? Does it need to be readily accessible for any reason like the ones in my pic are or could I have them up out of the way until inspection time?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

If you mean the fuel line is run through a fiberglass chase then the only way to check the hose is to disconnect it and pull it out. If the hose is actually encased in fiberglass, you will never know when it fails and it will result in a fuel leak. As for the new filter, it obviously needs to be "mounted" so it can be serviced. They have a spin on filter much like an oil filter. They are not left dangling. When properly plumbed you will not have any 90 - 180 degree bends like you have now. Use the appropriate fittings to make the turns -- not the hose. Yes -- you want the least amount of dangling hose as possible and support it with plastic or metal straps.

 

[Paterson00]

Re: Do I have two fuel filters here? Do I need them? Newbie.

If you mean the fuel line is run through a fiberglass chase then the only way to check the hose is to disconnect it and pull it out. If the hose is actually encased in fiberglass, you will never know when it fails and it will result in a fuel leak. As for the new filter, it obviously needs to be "mounted" so it can be serviced. They have a spin on filter much like an oil filter. They are not left dangling. When properly plumbed you will not have any 90 - 180 degree bends like you have now. Use the appropriate fittings to make the turns -- not the hose. Yes -- you want the least amount of dangling hose as possible and support it with plastic or metal straps.

Thanks again for your time and patience, I dont think there is much more I need to know about these now.