Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

[rick3452]

Yeasterday for the first time my boat stumbled and died (not a good feeling) Tried several times to restart and it would run for a few seconds and die again. After 10/15 Min, I goy it to HIGH idle, stay running long enough to shift into gear and idle home (only 1 mile), So I went to bed thinking, oh no mabe the carb is clogged or junk. This morning I inspected the spark arrestor and it was FILTHY, so I bought a couple of cans of carb cleaner and went to town, I also sprayed into the carb thinking that would help. I started up and headed for the ocean to "open her up" well as soon as I tried that it bogged and died. It took me twenty minitues to get it to run, and stay running. I idled and nursed it to my local Marina and thankfully he sent the mechanic right out, Turns out that the fuel/water seperator was 95% water so he changed it and told me to keep an extra on board. I also put dry-gas into the tanks, and will continue for a while.
Just an easy fix and good to know............

 

[Brentathon]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Hmmm.....I may just keep an extra on board, also.
But, the main question, is why would it be "full of water"?

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Hmmm.....I may just keep an extra on board, also.
But, the main question, is why would it be "full of water"?

It's always best to keep an extra on board, along with a filter wrench, or at least, a flat rubber strap to remove the old one.

Why was it 95% clogged? Because it's doing it's job. Water gets into the tank through a variety of different ways. It can be in the tank from the fuel delivery truck and from the actual gas station or marina. Your gas cap could need a new o-ring and it's allowing water to seep past. There could be condensation forming in your tank from weather changes. When was the last time the filter was changed? Every season or 100 hours is the average.

Here's the kicker: when you change the filter, fill it 3/4 with fuel prior to installing or the engine will be tough to start. It has to fill the filter before ever getting to your engine. And if you kill the battery in the meantime, you're basically stuck.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

At least you know they work as advertised. Bit I too would like to know where all the water came from. I change mine every year and have never seen much water in it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

You really didn't fix anything, all you did is put a bandaid on a broken leg.

If your filter is 95% water, then you need to clean the tank. That doesn't mean you have to completely drain it, just clean the gunk out of it. here is a thread on just how to do that. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=212830

The next thing, that "Dry Gas" stuff you used does more harm than good.

You also have water in your carb. Leave it there and you will have a serious corrosion problem on your hands. You need to get the carb cleaned out.... SOON.

Next. find out WHY you have water in your fuel. Poor seal on gas cap, water in the fuel where you fuel the boat? water getting in the vent? Hard to say which, or all, or maybe phase seperation from old ethenol fuel.

Sure, keep extra filters on board for emergencies, but not as a cure for water in the fuel.
This is not just an IO problem, it happens to Outboards too.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

this is 1 of the things I will install in the spring. Which 1 do you have btw and how do you like it?

 

[nofuss]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Since I have in the past recieved water in fuel from a nearby marina, I have put in a drainable water trap filter in my last out board boat. that way I could see the water in the filter. Now that I have stern drives I learnt (on here ) that I need metal bowls not the plastic i used before. however I could still drain and check them once a month to ensure that i dont have any water and if i do find water I should be able to find the problem before it gets to your stage.
I plan to get a pair when I pass through miami next week and install them before the present closed filters.

I swear by carrying spares though.

No Fuss

 

[rick3452]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Thanks Don....will do

 

[BluefishBoy]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

The drygas was a bad idea! Dry gas is in effect, pure ethanol, or at least very very similar. If you have a lot of water in your tank, the drygas (or even the ethanol already in the fuel you are running) will bond with the water and "drop" to the bottom of the tank. If it's only a little, no problem, but if its a lot, your fuel pumps will be pumping this water-alcohol sludge mixture into your engine with very little if any actual gasoline with it.
I have been using startron in my engine and it is fantastic! it is a fuel system treatment for boats. Instead of bonding only with the water, it is an enzyme that disolves the water into the fuel making it easier for the engine to exhuast out. I highly recommend the few bucks it costs as an investment.
However, if you have that much water in the filter, you definately need to clean the tank like what Don S says!
it is also a must for storage as gas with 10% ethanol in a ported tank will break down after 60-90 days instead of the 180-240 dyas that you get in a sealed tank.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

this is 1 of the things I will install in the spring. Which 1 do you have btw and how do you like it?

Attwood, purchased at WalMart for about $26. I haven't run the boat with it yet, so I can't comment on how I like it. But it's nice to know a replacement cartridge is available at pretty much any WalMart.

 

[Ernest T]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Stupid Newbie Warning: Just curious. I have a Yamaha fuel/water separator filter (http://www.usboatsupplies.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/mini_fuel_water_separator_aluminum.JPG). How can you tell if you are getting water in the filter. I've replaced mine, and it looked to be full of fuel when I poured it out, but how would you know if one of these types of filters had water or not?

 

[Beefer]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

You would empty it into a glass jar, and then you can see the layers of fuel/water in the jar.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Stupid Newbie Warning: Just curious. I have a Yamaha fuel/water separator filter (http://www.usboatsupplies.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/mini_fuel_water_separator_aluminum.JPG). How can you tell if you are getting water in the filter. I've replaced mine, and it looked to be full of fuel when I poured it out, but how would you know if one of these types of filters had water or not?

You can't tell without taking it off and draining the contents into a seperate container for inspection.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

I have a Yamaha filter and when I last changed it, the gas in it looked fine and i even poured it into a clear container, let it sit 6 weeks, still good. However I improved bad running conditions 100%.

Also, carry your spare in a zip lock, so that when you change it at sea, you have a way to carry it home without spilling the old gas.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

I have a Yamaha filter and when I last changed it, the gas in it looked fine and i even poured it into a clear container, let it sit 6 weeks, still good. However I improved bad running conditions 100%.

Correct. It's not just for clearing water. When the filter element gets clogged with debris, there is such a restriction of the flow of gas that the engine is starving.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Yep, I was the hero of the day when I had the tools to replace the water separator with eleven on board last season. It took me about five minutes and we were underway again. The wife was calling BoatTow when I fired the motor back up.

A fresh filter, (or at least a container to dump the old one), and a filter wrench are always on the boats now. It's such an easy fix for a debilitating problem.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

Been there, done that!

Glad I had one.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

to me, carrying a spare is essential. You are going to use it anyway and they don't go bad as long as you keep them dry.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Fuel Filter/Water Seperator Important!!

So true home cooking.

Your gonna buy another one sometime so how about now.