Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

[DanMC]

Hi,so today i installed the in-line fuel/water separator and i forgot to open the vent knob on the fuel gerry can ...so,before opening the vent i started priming the bulb...then i noticed that the clear side that is bellow to fuel filter is full of fuel...:facepalm:.OMG...then quickly i opened the vent and a rush of air escaped...wow, the fuel filter is made by Racor for Honda Marine in USA...did i bugger anything up ,i thought that would normaly only capture water otherwise it should be empty...please clear this out for me...btw the motor did start just fine (first time ever...2011 Honda BF25).
Thank you,
Dan

 

[DJ]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

Pretty straightforward. You just "cleared the air" out of the lines that got in during your install.

 

[DanMC]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

Pretty straightforward. You just "cleared the air" out of the lines that got in during your install.

Hi DJ, so having fuel at the bottom in the clear cup is ok ?...how will i then know when there is water contamination in the fuel ?
Thank you.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

Ayuh,... The water gets to the bottom of the filter by gravity....
It'll be full of gas, til the gas is displaced by water...

 

[J.J]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

The clear bowl is so that you can see if any water has been separated as water is heavier than fuel and can then be drained out . If you keep your fuel tanks full and use your boat reguarly you will have less air in the tanks, air carries water and condensation builds up over time forming water contamination. Make sure you change the filter part when service is done and check it has no leaks..!! I once had a small rust bubble on one that hadn't been changed and found petrol leaking into the bilge!!!! ...and the boat had just recently been serviced by a boat mechanic! I was leaving all this stuff up to him. Now I do all my own service work.

Ayuh,... The water gets to the bottom of the filter by gravity....
It'll be full of gas, til the gas is displaced by water...

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

Are those the clamps that came with it? Normally you don't want to be using that type of clamp on fuel lines.

 

[retiredfornow]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

What type of clamp are you supposed to use? Thanks.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

Many advise against using worm clamps for fuel lines because the it can eat into the hose. The wire spring type clamps that you squeeze together with pliers or the crimp type are supposed to be better. But, many boats (and cars, lawnmowers, etc) have worm clamps on fuel lines.

 

[DanMC]

Re: Fuel water separator...can somebody please clear this out for me...? thank you

Thank you all for the fast reply...we hope to get the boat on a lake this weekend for the second time since purchased new...last summer,specially since i don't know how many times i'll be able since the wife is 7 mo. pregnant...back to the fuel filter/water separator. The clamps did not come with the filter assembly,they were purchased at a local Canadian Tire store,marine section...i personally don't like them,i would preffer the clamp type...but don't you need a special tool to crimp the thing ?...not to mention that the frey look of the sleeve kinda bothers me...
So now that i know the fuel supposed to be there i feel 100% better.I should have known that water is heavier than gas ...but hwo the filtration separates it kinda threw me into a loop...so water will displace the fuel and presto...i got it, once again thank you all,i love this kinda forums that we can help one onother,i wish all,all the best .
Dan