Fuel Pump Question

[jasmo123]

Hello,
I recently changed the fuel filter in my 97 Merc 3.0LX S/N 0K--- and I did not find inside the Carter fuel pump what I thought was going to be there. I had looked up on-line and found the part number for the Fuel pump fuel filter. I have the factory service manual. I removed the bowl from the fuel pump and what I found inside was an element that resembled a Rock? I don't quite understand what this is? Has anyone every heard of this kind of fuel filter? I went ahead and installed the new filter, cleaned the Carb screen, and cleaned the screen in the fuel tank so my fuel system should be in good shape now. I started the boat and it ran fine on ear muffs so I am not sure what kind of filter this was. Also, the new gasket had holes in it that I tried to line up with the fuel holes in the the fuel pump I hope this is correct. No Leaks!! Any insight to this is appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Fuel Pump Question

It is some kind of stone, I may have known once what kind of stone but can't remmeber now and all I see nowadays is "stone fuel filter". Pretty common element in older carbed auto applications.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Fuel Pump Question

Your running "hard fuel" and that stone is a calcuim deposit

Maclin's right... its some kind of stone or ceramic used as a filter. Replacing it with the paper one is fine.

 

[jasmo123]

Re: Fuel Pump Question

Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess this filter has never been changed. I wonder if I shouldn't just put that one back in so I don't have to change it? The paper one is certainly going to have to be changed regularly now. Anyway, I still haven't run the boat in the water to test it out but hopefully it will run good.