brown - reddish/brown flecks in fuel filter. . .

[jblaiz]

getting ready to put the boat in the water, finally: I changed my fuel filter (RACOR 3213) and there was brown - reddish/brown flecks in the old filter. I have a 1984 Grady White with the original aluminum gas tank (30 gal tank).

Are the 'flecks' something to be concerned about? or is it just 'the filter doing its job'? I ran the boat for only about 30 hours or so last year - new filter system (last year) new engine (last year).

any thoughts are appreciated. thanks!!

 

[Vic.S]

Re: brown - reddish/brown flecks in fuel filter. . .

Reddish brown flecks are most likely to be rust but obviously not from your tank. They could be one of many other things as well of course including paint or jointing compounds etc. Personally when ever possible I filter the fuel going into the tank but I realise that is not always possible.

Provided they are not so numerous as to be severely restricting the filter I would simply take the view that the filter was doing its job. It would be sensible to keep things under review and maybe change the source of your fuel.

 

[sunbird 18]

Re: brown - reddish/brown flecks in fuel filter. . .

Yep, sounds like rust particles. Try putting a magnet up to them to verify. Most rust particles come from the gas station holding tanks.

 

[jblaiz]

Re: brown - reddish/brown flecks in fuel filter. . .

thanks for the replies! I'll breathe just a little bit easier that it doesn't sound like it should be concern without further problems! thanks!!

 

[tistore]

Re: brown - reddish/brown flecks in fuel filter. . .

Its not rust...it's some kind of deposits from the gas when gas sits for awhile it goes bad and this is what you get...i am going through this right now with my boat...i just pulled the gas tank out it's an 18 gal aluminum and i was just trying to replace the sending unit when i noticed on the bottom of the tank this stuff stuck to the bottom of the tank it was flaking off. there was a thin layer on the bottom that turned kind of hard but scrapped of easily but since the hole is only like 2 inches wide i read on another post to put pea gravel in it and shake it of course after you take the tank out of the boat. so thats my next step...i have the gas tank out but now i need to go find pea gravel to put in it and shake it till it is all clean. other wise it will aventually clog your lines and your boat won't run as well or at all. p.s i tried to spray water in it to get the brownish flakes off the bottom but only released a little of them...i might try a spray washer at the car wash...that might work. if not like i read the pea gravel....hope this info was helpful..

 

[boobie]

Re: brown - reddish/brown flecks in fuel filter. . .

I've heard of the reddish/brown flecks in the fuel system coming from mixing ethanol fuel with non-ethanol fuel.