Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

[minuteman62-64]

When I put my '82 Mariner 30 HP back in service the plastic housing for the internal fuel filter was cracked and leaking. Since I had installed one of those 10 micron water separating fuel filters on my transom, I re-plumbed the fuel system so it goes as follows: Tank (bow mounted) to primer bulb to filter on transom and then a direct line into the fuel pump (the male connector on the motor was kind of shot so I just removed it and bypassed it).

So, to remove the motor (or disconnect the fuel line from the motor) I would have to pull one end of the hose that runs from the fuel pump to the transom mounted filter. Not a big deal, although pulling that hose off the barb fitting can be difficult without cutting it.

No issues with the current setup to date. Anyways, now that I've got a lot of the issues with the boat/motor taken care of, I'm taking another look at the fuel plumbing.

Any significant benefit to installing a quick connect/disconnect at the motor? Safety? Convenience?

A new male connector at the motor would run about $40. Thinking a M/F set of tank connectors would work just as well and about 1/2 the cost. Don't really see the need for spending $60 for a new on-motor filter housing with the filter I have on the transom.

Interested in any thoughts on this matter.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

Well, 30 HP is not an engine you are going to dismount from the transom every day. Do you need a quick-connect coupling? NO! Will it be handy if you do decide to remove the engine? Yes.

It is your call. Do you intend to remove the engine and need the convenience of a quick-connect?

I have for years used a quick-connect between the water separator on the transom and the 140 HP engine on my cuddy. The only time I removed it was when the O-ring went bad. On the other hand, I plumbed the fuel line directly to the 125 on my go-fast to ensure full and adequate fuel flow. With the quick-connect installed before the fuel filter, it is possible to get crap stuck in it and restrict fuel flow. Of course, you would be installing after the filter so that is not a concern and the small restriction a quick-connect has certainly will not affect fuel flow on an engine that small.

 

[bilge rat jim]

Re: Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

The only convenience issue is if you remove your outboard regularly. Safety- by eliminating a connection point, you have made your fuel system safer. Quick connects, no matter what design, contain parts like o-rings, check balls, springs, etc, that are just there to fail and ruin a good day on the water. Stick with what you have, and fill your tank with the money you saved on parts.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

Well, 30 HP is not an engine you are going to dismount from the transom every day. Do you need a quick-connect coupling? NO! Will it be handy if you do decide to remove the engine? Yes.

It is your call. Do you intend to remove the engine and need the convenience of a quick-connect?

Short answer: hell no! When I got the boat I took the motor off for service, then put it back on and didn't think much of it. I was in my 40's then. Couple of years ago me and a buddy, both in our 70's, took the motor off for service and reinstalled it a few weeks later. Big difference - it must have gained a lot of weight over 30 or so years. Next time I'll take it for service while on the boat - let the mechanic worry about getting it off and on.

OK, good advice. Thanks, guys, I'll leave it as is.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

I agree; the disconnect is for convenience. And every fitting is an opportunity for air leaks or bigger failure. It would be a disadvantage if you like to run the gas out of the motor; many people don't do that any more.

You can always keep an eye out for a boat junk yard and take that part off another motor when the opportunity arises.

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

everyone is also forgetting that quick connect/disconnect is very good if a fire breaks out under the hood.
ok so it means getting near a fire but its a very valid thing to have handy.
disconnect and take the fuel supply awy has got to be a safety aspect !!! but a leaky one can also cause a fire hazard.

I think just buy a new connector and have the way its intended to be.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Do I Need a Disconnect at the Motor?

everyone is also forgetting that quick connect/disconnect is very good if a fire breaks out under the hood.
ok so it means getting near a fire but its a very valid thing to have handy.
disconnect and take the fuel supply awy has got to be a safety aspect !!! but a leaky one can also cause a fire hazard.

I think just buy a new connector and have the way its intended to be.

I've got the fuel tank mounted in front of the console with a disconnect. Haven't faced this problem, but, in the event of a fire at the motor I think I'd rather reach down in front of me and disconnect the line at the tank than run back to the location of the fire and try and disconnect there.