Water Fuel Seperator

[jlams73]

I bought a new to me boat last month and I want to install water fuel seperator. Are these kits universal or specific to your outboard motor? The reason I ask is because I checked on Iboats.com and some kits would say something like "OEM replacement for Mercury, or Yamaha..etc etc".

Also, is it best to install the seperator between the tank and the primer bulb OR between primer bulb and motor?

Thanks!

 

[dingbat]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

The note about the OEM sizing relates to the size of the threads on the filter head. It bears no relevance if you?re buying a complete new filter assembly.

Fuel filters are designed to work on the vacuum side, or intake of a pump. The primer bulb is considered a pump so the filter goes before the primer bulb. Putting the primer bulb in front of the fuel filter will have you pumping the accumulated debris out of the filter and into the rest of your fuel system.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

I've had the Walmart/Atwood($27) fuel/water separator on my boat for about 3 years now and it works like a charm. I just replaced the canister for the first time about a month ago, just been unscrewing cartridge, dumping it out, screwing it back on. My unit is mounted on my transom between the tank/primer bulb and the motor. I like it that way so when I dump the cartridge I can refill it by pumping the bulb. I also notice there's almost nothing in the motor mounted filter any more, but nice to have it for sort of a back-up, second line of defense for anything that might get past your cartridge. When I replaced my cartridge I hack-sawed my 3 year old one to check what was in it...just the usual debris that you don't want in you carbs or injectors. These filters are the best preventive maintenance item yet! Good Luck!

 

[DanMC]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

Hi guys,
I had the same dillema about in line fuel/water separator...as where do you install it, before the bulb or after. If i understood you guys right the filter should go between the fuel reservoir and primer bulb, correct ?, there is so much to learn about boating and stuff and here at i.boats.com i found the best and most knowledgeble bunch of guys .Our brand new 2011 Honda BF25 is geting the kit from a Honda dealer,tommorow. When i bought mine the only thing the parts person over at Honda asked as in how much fuel do i want my filter to be able to handle...so not knowing i asked : well what do you sugest ? , the answer was the more the better...is that correct ?
Thank you all,
Dan

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

You are being very smart doing this step. My 23 year old motor runs perfectly and has a factory separator/filter.
Oh, a hint. Put some motor oil on the gasket before you install the filter. Otherwise it's an absolute bear to remove when it comes time to change it.

 

[BoatNoobie]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

I bought a Moellar Clear bowl kit from Amazon. They had the aluminum version on sale. The reason I went with them is because they come with 3/8" NPT head design.

I've read a couple Mercury Mechs not recommending installing W/S on smaller motors due to fuel restrictions. I only have a 60HP 4-stroke and they said they dont recommend it. With the bigger size head design, it should have a high flow so I'm hoping it'll be fine in the long run.

While you're at it, you may want to change out your fuel line for the new EPA approved stuff. Suppose to resist ethanol better.
Apparently this is what happens to the older lines with ethanol.

Now I would recommend you pump out a 1qt of gas from the fittings, after your install to flush out any crap. Good thing I did on mine because I had loose thread sealant floating in the bottle of what I pumped out.

 

[DanMC]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

Hi to all and thanks to all,
BoatNoobie, what kind of sealant shpuld i use...i almost thought that regular teflon plumming tape would be ok...and one other thing...what is EPA approved stuff, i mean ours was just bought...would this be ok with the EPA guys...?, plus if it is my choice i would not use anything ethanol enriched.I know in that in automotive use ethanol it is known to dry up seals,gaskets,etc...
BTW, the Honda Marine kit i bought is made in USA by Parker/Racor...but it does have a Honda Genuine part number...is this a good brand ?
Thank you,
Dan

 

[Art Bernard]

Re: Water Fuel Seperator

With todays ethanol gas (witch you shouldn't use if you can avoid it) every boat should have a fuel/water sepperator. They go between the tank and the bulb. The wall mart kit is a good one and if you want to go one better west marine has one with the filter and a part that screws onto the bottom of the filter with a valve that lets you see and drain out the water. Learned this one the hard way with a heafty sea-tow bill.