Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

[cyberfed]

Hey everyone,
So I'm a 27 yr old kid that has wanted a boat all his life.
I've been addicted to fishing and the water since I was a little boy.
I finally was able to get myself into a position where I could afford a 'starter' boat. Last month I purchased a used 2000 Scout Sportfisher Center Console. It has a Year: 2000 Yamaha C90TLRY 90HP outboard on it.

The boat run's tip top and I have been using the #*!(@ out of it

I am starting to replace parts on my own that are part of basic maintenance. So far I have done:

1. Replaced spark plugs
2. Greased stearing assembly (which made a BIG difference!!)
3. Replaced fuel filter assembly and element

I am by NO means very mechanically competent. Basic things I can do like plugs.. etc...

I have the service book for my exact motor which does a great job of telling me what to do and what parts I need.

---The problem---
I want to replace the fuel/water separator that is currently installed. It looks like its in pretty crappy condition. I have a few questions about this.

1. What is the best brand/model fuel/water separator. I don't care of the cost I want to get something reliable that will work great.

2. How the heck do I install it? I haven't taken a good look at the one that's in there, but do you basically clamp the hoses going into it so fuel doesn't spill out when you remove it, attach the new one and that's it?

3. I read that you have to get a separator that supports your particular engines fuel flow rate. How can I found out that rate for my outboard?

I was also thinking of just seeing if I could get the model of the one that's currently installed and buy the same one. However if there is a preferred brand that works the best I would rather get that.

The yamaha boat motor book doesn't talk about this (the fuel/water seperator) since its not part of the motor.


Any help would be very much appreciated!!!! Thanks!!

 

[Triton II]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

Welcome Cyberfed,

I have found Racor 660R separators to be very effective and the clear view bowl is a real confidence booster - you can see if there's any water been separated out! Try this site:

http://www.maesco.com/products/racor/r_gas/r_gas.html

 

[maxhp]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

I'd go with a 10 micron either Racor or Yamaha. Do you have an inline filter or a spin on? Spin on is pretty easy, spin it off with a strap wrench and then spin the new one on hand tight and you're good to go...be sure to lube the o-ring with some motor oil prior to install. If it's an inline, remove the hose from one side of the old filter, put it on the new one, and then remove and install the other side. Make sure you install with the fuel flow going the right way...

Don't forget your lower unit oil...

 

[robert graham]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

Same exact motor as mine. I use with great success the fuel/water separater from Walmart($27), easy to install on your transom with 2 screws, extra screw-on cartridges at Walmart($7). This filter looks and acts exactly like an automotive oil filter, sometimes I just unscrew it, dump out whatever water or trash is in the cartridge, then just screw it back on. I do carry a spare cartridge in boat in case it ever needs changing. With the 90HP Yamaha the fuel flow at full throttle(5500RPM) would be around 9 gallons per hour, so the filter flow rate would not normally be a restrictive factor. Use the Stabil Marine and the Yamaha Ringfree all the time and eliminate most fuel problems before they ever start. My motor is a 1999 model and it runs just like new, carbs never been cleaned, no problems! Good Luck!

 

[robert graham]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

Another item, go to: Yamaha Outboard Performance Bulletins, put in your boat/motor combination for a chart giving Miles per Gallon, Gallons per Hour, etc. for any RPM for your rig. Good info to know about.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

This question was in perfect timing. Go buy the January 2010 issue of TRAILER BOATS MAGAZINE. On page 38 there is a how-to story that shows you what to do and how.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

Good luck with your Yamaha. That 90 was my first new motor..bought it in 1986. I fished that rig long and hard for ten years and that little motor never failed me. I never had the carbs cleaned, fooled with the oil injection or had any major/minor electricla or mechanical issues.

I ALWAYS ran the carbs dry at the end of the day when giving it agood fresh water flush. Now a days you have SaltAway, which I use religiously. Buy and use some.

I would regularly spray my motor down, both inside and outside with wd-40. Today I use corrosion-x on the inside and corrosion x heave duty on parts of the outside. I wipe a fine film of Yamaha marine grease on my tilt/trim motor, rams and parts of the engine mount. Don't cover your zincs...

It's a snap to remove that lower unit. They unbolt and slide right down the driveshaft. You will access your waterpump and impeller and if changed regularly (every 300 hrs) you should not have issues with the woodruff key. They get stuck. Learn how to change lower unit oil. Synthetic oils work best in a marine environment, I feel.

I would pass on the WalMart bracket and fuel/seperator. Tried that years ago and the product is just cheap. I think they use Atwood and not at all long lasting. If the screw on mount is good, you can go with the Yamaha 10 micron (what I use) or as suggested the Racors. I guess it's ok seeing inside the filters. Since mine get changed once a year I dont see the need.

Good luck on your rig. We were looking at Scout Abacos when we found our KeyWest. Scout/Yamaha is a great combination for your first rig.

 

[cyberfed]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

Thanks for the good info guys much appreciated.

The current fuel filter is a yamaha screw on type (looks like an oil filter for a car). I'm going to order a replacement and swap it out.

Next item up is trying to figure out why my livewell pump doesn't work

its a rule 700 gph 12v 5a (thats about all I could make out on it) the boat has a lever on the console (auto/empty/recycle) which apparently triggers the aerator pump. It appears the pump is connected to another device (could not find a make/model on it) and this part is where the cable from the console connects. Hard to explain i'm not sure what I need to do there..

 

[zzzzz]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

go to : flow-rite.com....then click on marine...then click on product information and you can find out info on your livewell system

 

[cyberfed]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

THANK YOU so much!! that's exactly the part I was trying to describe!
I am going to order a new one along with the aerator pump and hopefully that will solve my live well issues.

Its not a big deal as must of the time I never use the livewell but its part of the boat and I want it working!

Now I just have to work on my cast netting skills so I can put some live finger mullet in my soon-to-be working livewell

Thanks again guys, I'm sure more questions will come.
Happy new year! Cheers!

 

[Triton II]

Re: Completely new at boats, and mechically retarded! Bear with me please!!

Thanks again guys, I'm sure more questions will come.
Happy new year! Cheers!

You're more than welcome - good luck with catching mullet! And a happy New Year to you too.