Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Any opinions on this fuel filter to put inline in a location that won't get stepped on or bumped and also where I can look at it from time to time?

texasvet

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ter-Dorman---Help_22146612-P_N4026C_P|GRP2026

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Any opinions on this fuel filter to put inline in a location that won't get stepped on or bumped and also where I can look at it from time to time?

texasvet

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ter-Dorman---Help_22146612-P_N4026C_P|GRP2026

I'd stay away from the glass hsg filters for marine applications if possible, certainly never use one inside the engine compartment. Merc 35-864572 is a good marine inline fuel filter, a little pricy though. It is designed to be used on the suction side of the pump prior to the fuel water sep filter. (35-864572A1 comes with the filter and all necc mounting hardware)

James

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Any opinions on this fuel filter to put inline in a location that won't get stepped on or bumped and also where I can look at it from time to time?

texasvet

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...ter-Dorman---Help_22146612-P_N4026C_P|GRP2026

Haulinazz15, the filter in this post is why I get concerned when I see people suggest an inline filter between the pump and the carb. I find this kind of stuff spliced into the metal fuel line with rubber hose and clamps every now and again.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Haulinazz15, the filter in this post is why I get concerned when I see people suggest an inline filter between the pump and the carb. I find this kind of stuff spliced into the metal fuel line with rubber hose and clamps every now and again.

I was thinking of putting the filter inline where the hose comes through the wall into the engine compartment, well before the water/fuel separator filter. I can't imagine why anyone would think that cutting into a metal fuel line would be a good idea.

Then again, I worked on a RADAR system where I found an interlock disabled that was there to prevent a technician from getting fried by 20,000 volts. Safety apparently isn't a concern with some people.

texasvet

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

I'd stay away from the glass hsg filters for marine applications if possible, certainly never use one inside the engine compartment. Merc 35-864572 is a good marine inline fuel filter, a little pricy though. It is designed to be used on the suction side of the pump prior to the fuel water sep filter. (35-864572A1 comes with the filter and all necc mounting hardware)

James

James,

If the filter is mounted where it would not be broken by anyone/anything, why is there a problem with mounting it in the engine compartment. Since it is on the suction side, even if the glass broke, wouldn't that stop the flow of fuel as the electric fuel pump would not have enough suction to pull gas out of the fuel tank with the glass broken. If there was a small leak, I can see where the fuel could be dripping and that would be a problem. Hey, I may have just answered my own question.

Also, the reason I'd like a see-through filter is so I can see if any crap is coming out of my tank. What are my options here?

texasvet

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Texasvet,

even if the glass filter was between the tank and fuel pump, once the pump started the siphon action, the tank would empty into the bilge. bad idea.

back to the OP's picture. the sediment looks like the sediment in the bottom of the tank of my father's OB carbs and tank that I am cleaning out. its a plastic tank.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Texasvet,

even if the glass filter was between the tank and fuel pump, once the pump started the siphon action, the tank would empty into the bilge. bad idea.

back to the OP's picture. the sediment looks like the sediment in the bottom of the tank of my father's OB carbs and tank that I am cleaning out. its a plastic tank.

I would mount the filter above the level of the tank so there was no siphoning action. I'm beginning to think that a glass filter is a bad idea. Maybe I can find a plastic one.

texasvet

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

What type of filter are you installing that is marine approved for use under pressure (between carb and pump) in an engine compartment? I'm scared to have a filter under pressure that was designed to be used on the suction side of the fuel system.

James

My fuel line arrived in the mail today, so I'm back to my project of putting the carb back on and replacing all of my fuel lines. I've decided to take the advice I received and not use a glass fuel filter between my tank and my fuel/water separator.

So, how does the idea of using a Fram inline plastic fuel filter between my tank and fuel/water separator sound? Here's the address of what I'm thinking of: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FRM-G3/

I'd like to stick with a filter that allows me to see if I'm getting trash from my tank.

Above is a pic:

texasvet

 

[achris]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

View attachment 153329...

Plastic filter in the engine compartment!!! That is SO not approved... Coast guard see that and you'll have a 'DO NOT OPERATE' sticker slapped on so fast your eyes will spin.....

If you must have a see-through filter, use glass, NEVER plastic, ever...

Chris.....

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Plastic filter in the engine compartment!!! That is SO not approved... Coast guard see that and you'll have a 'DO NOT OPERATE' sticker slapped on so fast your eyes will spin.....

If you must have a see-through filter, use glass, NEVER plastic, ever...

Chris.....

Thanks for the reply Chris. Several folks on this thread told me that glass in the engine compartment is also a no-no since if it breaks, you may start siphoning fuel from your fuel tank.

My fuel tank is on the other side of an aluminum wall so it is separated from the engine compartment. Is it ok to put a filter in there? It's not the preferable place because I would have to go below deck and crawl 10 feet to see any kind of filter.

texasvet

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Well, I installed the new fuel line from my fuel tank to the Merc. I disconnected the old fuel line from the engine and put the hose into a perfectly clean clear plastic jug and I disconnected the other end from the fuel tank and raised it high so any fuel in the old line would flow into the jug. The attached picture is the crap that came out.

Crap isn't a strong enough term as it looks worse in person. The globs that you see on the bottom of the jug look like some kind of gel. It sure doesn't move around like fuel when I slant the jug to one side as shown in the picture.

Anyone have any ideas on how to drain and clean a square, below deck, 95 gallon aluminum tank? Removing the tank would be quite a challenge as the floor has double 2X6 joists above it and I really wouldn't want to weaken the floor.

texasvet

 

[achris]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Thanks for the reply Chris. Several folks on this thread told me that glass in the engine compartment is also a no-no since if it breaks, you may start siphoning fuel from your fuel tank.

And if the plastic filter breaks it will..... er.... siphon, just the same as a broken glass one... :facepalm:That's what anti-syphon valves are for... (It's all in the name. )

My fuel tank is on the other side of an aluminum wall so it is separated from the engine compartment. Is it ok to put a filter in there? It's not the preferable place because I would have to go below deck and crawl 10 feet to see any kind of filter.

texasvet

My preference is a metal filter with a drain on the bottom (stick a cup under it and drain it off, you'll soon see what's in there.)... You shouldn't have plastic or glass in the engine compartment... problems with fires ect....

Chris.....

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Chris,

Now I'm confused. Didn't you say in an earlier post to use glass?

As far as a metal filter with a drain, do you have a link to one that I can look at?

texasvet

 

[achris]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Glass is way better than plastic, but if you'd rather not have glass, use metal...

Have a look at this -> http://www.marinepowerservice.com/BoatingStore/browse_detail3.cfm/productID/41135.cfm

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

the sludge / gel is degraded ethanol and varnish. there should be an access panel in the floor to get to the sending unit. pull the panel, and pull the sending unit. this should give you access to see what is in there. then get a gallon of marine clean from POR 15

http://www.por15.com/MARINE-CLEAN/productinfo/MCG/

its water based, will dissolve the sludge, and will clean the tank. use a mechanics mirror to see everything in the tank.

once clean, put the sender back, re-install the cover, fill with fresh gas and go boating.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

the sludge / gel is degraded ethanol and varnish. there should be an access panel in the floor to get to the sending unit. pull the panel, and pull the sending unit. this should give you access to see what is in there. then get a gallon of marine clean from POR 15

http://www.por15.com/MARINE-CLEAN/productinfo/MCG/

its water based, will dissolve the sludge, and will clean the tank. use a mechanics mirror to see everything in the tank.

once clean, put the sender back, re-install the cover, fill with fresh gas and go boating.

Thanks for the reply Scott. I see on the directions of Marine Clean that it is best to use it in a 1:1 ratio with water. Since my tank is 100 gallons, 50 gallons of Marine Clean would be necessary if I want the whole tank to be exposed to it, I think. Do you have any experience using Marine Clean on as large a tank as mine? I've sent an email to the vendor to see if they have any supplier in the Dallas area and if they sell it in large drums at a reduced per gallon price. I'm hoping that they answer me today.

texasvet

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

no need to soak it, get a cheep garden sprayer. I have never used more than half a gallon. I usually spray, let sit, spray, let sit, spray, let sit, then hit with pressure washer. repeat as needed.

I would order it direct from the factory.

call their tech line, they can help.

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

no need to soak it, get a cheep garden sprayer. I have never used more than half a gallon. I usually spray, let sit, spray, let sit, spray, let sit, then hit with pressure washer. repeat as needed.

I would order it direct from the factory.

call their tech line, they can help.

I guess I can use the opening that the float is sitting in and use a tank sprayer wand to do the best that I can to spray it around inside and hope for the best. Then, whatcha think about filling the tank with water and pumping it out, maybe twice, and then letting it dry out for a week? Hopefully any moisture that is left will be removed via the fuel/water separator filter.

Also, anyone have any experience with putting a drain into the bottom of a square metal tank? I sure wish that I had one to drain the tank for best results.

texasvet

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

once the tank has had fuel in it, generally not a good idea to introduce the spark of a welder.

no need to fill the tank with water. like I said, I use a pressure washer on most of my restorations. a shop vac will suck out what ever you have in there. put the air hose in the tank for a bit to dry it out. then reassemble. you should be able to look into the sender port with a flashlight and small mirror to assess how bad your tank actually is. for all you know, the gunk is just around the pickup.... then again, you could have 20 gallons of gelatin like goo

 

[texasvet54]

Re: Can someone tell me what this stuff is?

Scott,

Thanks for all of the info. I'm going to try and get the fuel out of the tank in the next few days and have a look.

texasvet