Fuel Water Separator placement

[cvtech1]

I recently put a fuel water separator on my boat and the bulb is not staying or getting hard. The boat ran fine but I had to reach back a couple of times to pump at full throttle to not sputter. I discovered that it was an air leak and fixed that and all seemed fine, but the bulb or filter would not stay hard or filled. I have a clear filter down stream from the water separator. It is mounted high on the back of the boat because if I mount it at the lowest point possible it would be in the splash well. What is the problem? Anybody!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

The bulb isn't supposed to stay hard after the motor starts, so that's normal.

Having air in the filter can be normal too and if its at a high point in the system any air that was mixed with the fuel will collect there.

Air can get mixed into the fuel when you're running, when it separates out it has to go some where.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

It doesn't get hard before it starts much, and fuel will come into the down stream clear filter after about 20 pumps. The water/fuel separator is the highest point in the fuel system. Like I mentioned earlier if I put it much lower it will be in the splash well. Thanks for the reply. Any others?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

If the bulb doesn't get hard then check these.

Float needle in the carb is not closing correctly.

Check valve in the bulb is bad.

Squeeze bulb needs to be vertical to work sometimes, hold it so the arrow points up. (some work fine horizontal, some don't)

Air leak in the fuel line, fitting or connector.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

Ondarvr, thank. Will try the bulb position and double check all fittings.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

Ondarvr, Thanks alot! Holding the bulb vertical with the arrow up pumped the system tight and only took a couple of squeezes. I hope everyone with bulb problems can read this. Thanks again.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

I think most Racor filter have a vacuum hole and you will see the fuel move and bubble when squeezing the primer bulb.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

Thanks will look for that. I don't know if it is my imagination but it seems to run better since I put the fuel/water separator on.

 

[gss036]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

There is nothing wrong with have the filter in the motor well, mine is, it was installed by the company that installed my new 225 Honda. It is a very small filter but works great and I run my T9.9 Yamaha off of it also. The kicker has a shutoff lever but I never turn the gas off.

 

[cvtech1]

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

This one is the size of a V8 oil filter. If I place it in the splash well (I have an outboard) saltwater will not harm the filter? The splash will help gravity feed the filter.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel Water Separator placement

It's better to keep them out of the salt water; you can get a chip on the paint which can then rust. However, I have them both ways on my boats, and hopefully you change the filter before it rusts.