Water separator placement. Does it have to be at pump level?

[cheburashka]

My water separating filter came with pretty poor instructions. Nothing about placement. I figured out that it has to be between the tank and the pump, but I've read in a few posts here that people have "read somewhere" that it's best to place it no higher than the fuel pump, which in my case is a real headache.

It's currently at the same level as the carb, but I'm open to repositioning it. What's the reason for placing it at the same level as the pump? Is this just to avoid strain on the pump from filling up the cartridge, or is it a safety issue?

Thanks

 

[tommays]

Re: Water separator placement. Does it have to be at pump level?

The filter should be BEFORE the fuel pump so i am haveing trouble understanding how you have it that high ?..

I would think thats a LOT of extra fuel line with big loops to trap air

Tommays

 

[cheburashka]

Re: Water separator placement. Does it have to be at pump level?

The tank outlet is right in front of the engine. There's no access to the stringers until I get all the way back to the transom, so I end up with quite a bit of extra fuel line. I'll see if I can mount it in the bilge under the engine, but when I looked I didn't see any easy access point. You're right--I end up with almost six feet of hose between the tank and the filter, so if there's any other way, I'll do it.

So I take it your opinion is that it should be pretty much in-line between the tank and the pump, with no change in elevation?

 

[tommays]

Re: Water separator placement. Does it have to be at pump level?

It does not need to exact BUT i think the 6 ' of extra fuel line can only cause problems

Its a lot harder for the fuel pump to suck through all that extra line

Tommays

 

[ron7000]

Re: Water separator placement. Does it have to be at pump level?

it sounds like misinformation propagating itself around the web.
The less fuel line you have running around the better, especially if it's not hard line. Not only is it safer but you'll lose flow the longer the fuel line run is. Even though it's a 140, you might starve the motor at high rpms running 6 ft of line to the filter at the transom plus going another 4 ft or so to the pump.

I would be more concerned how low the filter is placed, you don't want gas siphoning out the fuel tank when you remove the filter. My water sep. fuel filter is mounted on the bulkead in front of the motor. I put it there purposely for easy access when I replaced the motor. I estimate it's about a foot higher than the fuel pump, and about even with the top of the fuel tank. Been like that for 10 years no problems.
If you have no stringer or bulkhead to mount the filter bracket to in a location between the fuel tank and front of motor, consider fabbing up a piece of 1/4" steel or aluminum as a bracket. Put a 90 deg bend in it and epoxy or marine-tex it to the bilge floor like you would a transducer.