Fuel Water Seperator

[Aqua KNOT Sea]

OK so last week I was out and cruizing around and the boat slowed to a stop and stalled. I have had a problem in the past with water in the gas so I emptied the water seperator and she ran fine. All good right. Some new gas and A ton of startron and Dry gass along with running the engin and changing the filter is a easy fix , RIGHT? Next day same problem and the empting of the seporator fixed it again. The Filter is new this season. Now here is where I think I am. I have put the fuel from the filter in a glass container and there is ZERO water in the fuel. The Filter is only half full each time I change it. I have just recently changed the filters in the carb and the fuel pump. Could my problem be as simple as just buying a new fuel eater seperator filter? Or is there some other thing that I am missing. FYI. I usually just screw a empty filter back on and allow the fuel in the carb to prime the system.
Is it possible that I am getting air into the carb and that is causing my stall? The thing that is driving me crazy is that when the boat dies i can get it to start back up but it then stalls out again. It will only run good after I dump the seperator? WHAt do I do
?

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

Welcome aboard! And is the seperator lower than the tank? If not maybe your having a issue with it draining the filter and starving the engine for fuel?.

 

[sharkin95]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

anti siphon valve on the tank or clogged fuel vent

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

The Filter is only half full each time I change it.

Do you mean it is half full of water? Or it is half empty when you remove it?

You never want to dump the fuel and water and reuse the filter. Put a new one on. The reason to dump it is to simply check for evidence of water.

If you mean it is half full of water every time, then it is time to pump your tank and find out why the water is getting in.

 

[Aqua KNOT Sea]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

It is above tank but has never been a problem before. when I take it off it is half full with fuel. No water. How do I check to see if anti syphon is ok or the fuel vent

 

[Aqua KNOT Sea]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

Ok So let me explain a little more. The carb was rebuilt last year and there is a new fuel pump on the boat. This morning I went and checked the anti syphon valve and it is fine. Made sure all hoses were tight. So my real question i guess is? Should i be filling up the fiter when I put it on? Could a empty filter be causing my troubles or should the prime of the system just fill up the filter?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

As a general rule, I prefill the (new) separator with fresh fuel before i reinstall. Need to be careful not to spill it! It will, however, refill on its own. The fuel pump is self priming, as long as you dont have any air leaks upstream. As long as you have enough fuel in the carb to get the engine started, or you will need to crank until filled and will then start the engine (ok...so this is based on having a mechanical fuel pump...don't remember you saying what kind you have. what engine, etc). I rather not crank so long, so that's why I pre-fill.
Having said that, I did have a problem with my separator only half-filling, after I installed a new mechanical (replacement) fuel pump. It was a sierra pump, and failed after only 7.5 hours in the boat. Not sayin that's your problem, but it was mine.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

Raise the front of the boat and pump out the tank thru the hole for the fuel sender.all the water will go to the back of the tank

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Fuel Water Seperator

Try running on a remote fuel tank and see if that helps. (Like a portable tank designed for outboards). That will help you isolate any problem areas.