Hey all,
My engine started shuddering at idle, I haven't replaced the spark plugs since it was new, no idea how many hours, not tons. So I ordered new plugs and fuel filter, which I have also never changed. The old plugs still looked new, but I changed them anyway because they are 13 years old.
The fuel filter was a dark yellowish color, but I didn't see anything "clogging" it, but it is a paper filter, so it probably should have been changed years ago. When I took the filter bowl off, the bowl itself it easily 2x longer than the stubby filter, almost like the filter element should have been longer. When I dumped out the fuel in the bowl, there was a red disk at the bottom of the bowl that fell out. Under that red disk, was packed full of what looks like crystalized fuel.
I cleaned out the crystals from the bottom of the fuel bowl and put that red disk back. It looks like Mercury also makes a stubby filter bowl. So my question is WHAT is the point of having the longer filter bowl but still having a stubby filter element? and is the red disk just a spacer? or does it serve a purpose?
I tried to attach pictures, but the forum won't let me upload them.
Thanks,
-TheChad
My engine started shuddering at idle, I haven't replaced the spark plugs since it was new, no idea how many hours, not tons. So I ordered new plugs and fuel filter, which I have also never changed. The old plugs still looked new, but I changed them anyway because they are 13 years old.
The fuel filter was a dark yellowish color, but I didn't see anything "clogging" it, but it is a paper filter, so it probably should have been changed years ago. When I took the filter bowl off, the bowl itself it easily 2x longer than the stubby filter, almost like the filter element should have been longer. When I dumped out the fuel in the bowl, there was a red disk at the bottom of the bowl that fell out. Under that red disk, was packed full of what looks like crystalized fuel.
I cleaned out the crystals from the bottom of the fuel bowl and put that red disk back. It looks like Mercury also makes a stubby filter bowl. So my question is WHAT is the point of having the longer filter bowl but still having a stubby filter element? and is the red disk just a spacer? or does it serve a purpose?
I tried to attach pictures, but the forum won't let me upload them.
Thanks,
-TheChad