Re: Inline fuel filter
When I saw the OMC logo I was not even sure you had a Merc! But then I re-read some of the things the boat has put you through and that you have put yourself through. And regarding those compression numbers from a different post, if that is the same engine you started with last fall then you are one lucky SOB (Student On Board!). From just jamming the distributor in to thinking the electric fuel pump was a filter it is pretty amazing that it runs as good as it does now. You do seem to get to the bottom of things and get it pretty close to right eventually.
I do have a question about the starter, then I will get back to this thread's subject. When you ordered one for $100 is it a marine starter? Or did you just end up rebuilding yours? Pretty important to have a marine starter, especially with the non-stock cobbled together fuel system you have now.
Now back to that, I can see a wiring loom going to the large black cylinder, that was my clue that it was a fuel pump. The white cannister is the water separating fuel filter, they change out just like an oil filter.
Having typed all that in, none of that is how your boat came from the factory. I mean, the components may be similar but where they are mounted and the actual component itself is not from Merc. Maybe the boat started out with OMC power, or maybe the Merc fuel system failed and the owner at that time had an OMC setup, only they know how it got that way.
It is hard to debug stuff remotely from just descriptions and even pictures, ESPECIALLY when it is not stock and the current owner (bless his intrepid heart!) does not know how to recognize that it is a complete departure from standard.
So, that is quite a setup you have there. It is VERY easy to change the filter though, that is a plus. There are many minuses though, like the fuel hose should be double clamped which means that the fitting barbs need to be long enough for that. The hose in a loop is cute, but dangerous. It would not pass USCG standards I am sure.
Now, as to what to do about all that, I would start looking up what it should be like and start running down those components and plan on changing it all out and go back stock as Merc shipped it. You may need to contact previous owners to get some history, and perhaps even locate boats with your year of engine and drive and take a bazillion pictures. Get all the manuals also.
All luck to you, and start a web page for all of this, it would be a good read someday!
