Adding a Fuel Water Separator

[Hermyboy3000]

Is it OK to install the separator after the fuel pump?

Gas Tank--->Electric Fuel Pump--->Separator---->Carbs

Also how important is a separator? I've been running my boat now for 3 seasons without one. I really haven't noticed any adverse problems other than the occasional hard starts.

Thanks in advance!

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

Fuel/water separator should go before the fuel pump so you're not pulling water into your pump. Water is bad for it. With today's gas, which contains ethanol - a "wonderful" ingredient which draws moisture from the air, a separator is important. It keeps water from your fuel system and, unfortunately, engines can't run on water. The separator is just one more item to help your engine run the way it should. Remember to use solid, approved fuel lines from the separator to the fuel pump and from the fuel pump to the carb. No rubber hoses here. When you replace your flexible fuel line from the tank to the separator make sure it is approved and ethanol safe. It must say so on the hose itself. Safe boating. Hy

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

Using solid fuel line from the separator to the pump? I never saw that written anywhere before. I just bought the quicksilver fuel water separator and have not installed it yet, but both the mechanic at the marina and the instructions simply call for standard fuel hose like you use from the tank to the pump, single clamped.

Joe

 

[Robj]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

I would not use solid fuel lines from the water seperator to the fuel pump. I have seen it before where vibration broke a solid fuel line and caused a fuel leak and fire, not on a boat but car. Same principles apply. Actually put the fire out with the melted ice from our beer cooler. Did not have a fire extinguisher in those days, but sure do now. Run the seperator before the pump and use approved USCG flexible fuel line to run from the seperator to the pump.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[Robj]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

Using solid fuel line from the separator to the pump? I never saw that written anywhere before. I just bought the quicksilver fuel water separator and have not installed it yet, but both the mechanic at the marina and the instructions simply call for standard fuel hose like you use from the tank to the pump, single clamped.

Joe

Any fuel lines should be USCG approved and using double clamps is not a bad idea either.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[jrolland]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

My boat already has one installed and it uses rubber hose not the solid ones.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

"Any fuel lines should be USCG approved and using double clamps is not a bad idea either."

I meant USCG approved flexible line as the standard for that installation. I thought double clamped would be the way I would go also. Thanks.

Joe

 

[Hermyboy3000]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

So, I do add the pump before the elec. fuel pump? I will probably just keep my flexible USCG approved hose, though I appreciate the tip on the solid tubing.

I've poked around the forums and have never seen a really good answer for the effectiveness of a fuel/water separator. I guess to get to the point what "effectively" will this do for my motor, performance or efficiency? If it's just a fuel filter, I've already got one that cost me 4 bucks and it seems to do a good job.

Thanks!

 

[Maclin]

Re: Adding a Fuel Water Separator

Water tends to stay at the bottom of the separator as fuel is drawn thru the top of the cannister to the fuel pump.

Same thing on your lawn mower I bet, there is a bowl below the carb that holds fuel but the plumbing comes in from the top of that bowl and fuel is drawn up thru the carb, any water or condensation tends to stay at the bottom. There is usually a drain at the bottom of that bowl to release any trapped water, where there is not drain on the boat's cannister type separator.