fuel/water separating filters

[roscoe]

I am looking to buy a separating filter kit, for outboard use.<br />Brands available:<br />Mercury<br />Tempo<br />SeaSense<br />SeaChoice<br />Quicksilver<br />Racor<br /><br />The Racor has the plastic bowl on the bottom. Is this just for visual inspection of water, or is it drainable without removing the whole filter?<br />The Racor replacement filter is 3-4 time the cost of the others. Why? Is it THAT much better?<br /><br />I am leaning toward the Merc, Racor, or Quicksilver, for ease in finding replacement filters. Or are all the filters a standard size?<br /><br />Any advice or opinions regarding these filters would be appreciated.<br /><br />ALso, why do some brands have different filters for Merc vs OMC engines?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

I would'nt use the racor unless you have a diesel... <br /><br />Mercury<br />Tempo<br />SeaSense<br />SeaChoice<br />Quicksilver<br />Aqua Power<br />Don't let the names fool you.. All these are basicly the same... Tempo (i think) makes one with a cast stainless steel mount, if you can find one... <br /><br />Only difference in the filters is the center hole size... There's two sizes... Also, they are easier to get replacements filters for.. Some autoparts stores will carry replacement filters... <br /><br /> Ya, ain't gonna get a racor filter at autozone on sunday afternoon...

 

[airman]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

Virtually all of the sommercial boats I've worked on use Racors. (Yes, they were diesel) They are a good product. The clear bowl allows you to visually check for water and crud and it can be drained (also useful if you want a dribble of fuel for something). As to the spare element issue, just buy a spare and keep it on the boat, availability doesn't matter much at the wrong end of the lake. I can't speak good or bad for other brands but the important thing really is to put on something. The important # to look for is the filter's micron rating and the lower the # the better.

 

[Link]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

roscoe:<br />I just had a conversation with a friend of mine about this about a month ago. We did not get into brand names as I just asked him what was available. He just said that they had two types.. several brand names.. both had spin on filters but one at twice the cost had a bowl with a drain at the bottem. His hotrod boat he had made had the bowl which allowed him when the boat started to drop rpms to go back and drain it.. then replace the filter when he got back for the day..on his other boat with the outboard it just had the spin on filter.. he later changed it to the bowl type also. I put it on my to do list to call him tomorrow and ask about what brands.. should make a post no later than sunday evening.<br /><br />Link

 

[seahorse5]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

Your best bet is to use any of the brands except Racor. The reason is that all of them use the same filter that is available everywhere and they are easy to change and they are only about $7. The Racor uses a $22 element and you can't use anything else. Also the powder coating on the Racor bracket peels off in salt water and the whole thing corrodes after a while.<br /><br />Racor does make a filter with a drainable bowl for the other makes, and that way you have a choice of filters to use.<br /><br />About a year ago, Bass and Walleye Boats did an article on testing the different brands of filters to see if they really stopped water.

 

[roscoe]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

Thanks for the info, guys.<br /><br />Hey snapperbait, How are your hands doing?<br />Are you using a barrier cream? Does it help?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

Doing good, Roscoe... Thanks for asking... Cornhuskers is the stuff!.. Not using a barier cream, but probably should... I make it a point to wear nitrile(sp?) gloves when doing oily jobs or messing with gas, diesel, 5200, epoxy and stuff like that..

 

[Link]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

roscoe<br />Instead of calling we just ran by the store and David said that he decieded to just leave the out board set up with the Tempo spin on filter. His hotrod boat came setup with a Raco fuel/filter system and it worked well but he wouldnt go to that expence on a gas engine again.<br /><br />Snapperbait said<br /><br />"Don't let the names fool you.. All these are basicly the same... Tempo (i think) makes one with a cast stainless steel mount, if you can find one..."<br /><br />David agreed and is using Tempo because thats what they sell right now.<br /><br />They only carried two models<br />Tempo<br />$29.95 170102 cast Black<br />$29.95 170103 cast Chromed<br />Filter's were 7.95<br />Couldn't find a SS one in the books<br /><br />Racor<br />$64.95<br />Filter<br />$24.95<br /><br />Guess I didn't really add anything except to have someone else in the business agree with snapperbait. But it was a good excuse to go visit a old friend.<br /><br />Link

 

[roscoe]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

Thanks Link.<br />Always good to visit friends, especially if they serve you ice cream.

 

[nburford]

Re: fuel/water separating filters

Roscoe, as someone mentioned the Racor goes right on the OMC-type bracket, and offers the easy draining and identification of water. Where I am the Racor is cheaper than listed in this post. Also, if you use the Racor you can carry a "cheap" spare if you want, since they use the same bracket. Lastly, the the Racor is the only one that will allow you to bleed off a bunch of water and not leave you stranded if you get some bad fuel. It's worth the extra $7 per year to me.<br />Good luck,<br />-Nick