Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

[turbodriven]

I've got a 1991 Mercruiser 3.0L and as far as I can tell it only has two sub-par fuel filter elements in the whole system. One "stone" filter in the belly of the fuel pump and a screen filter at the carb. Nothing that removes water though.

My question is... if I splice in a canister style water separating fuel filter before the pump... can I remove the stone filter in the bottom of the pump altogether? Last time I pulled the bowl off to access the stone it didn't appear as if the "stone" was "holding anything up" inside there.

 

[tommays]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

I believe the STONE protects the check valves in the fuel pump from particles

Tommays

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

Filters are a good thing....
I would not remove it....
I would add a water separarter for sure.....JK

 

[turbodriven]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

Filters are a good thing....
I would not remove it....
I would add a water separarter for sure.....JK

The canister filter/separator that I would be splicing in before the pump would filter out any contaminants prior to reaching the "stone" element. I'm not concerned about "dirty fuel"... I'm more concerned about whether removing the stone would affect anything else. Like fuel flow... or a mechanism I'm not seeing... or something.

 

[speedholes]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

I would think it would be fine, as long as the water separater is indeed a good particle filter as well. The fuel needs to be filtered, and it doesn't care if it is by the stock components or aftermarket ones. Clean fuel is clean fuel.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

#1 get rid of the stone filter in the pump.Mercruiser replaced it several years ago with a paper one.Make sure you install the spring that comes with it.How long has the filter been there ?Also replace the paper filter in the carb.

Neither filter is sub par.Most boat makers do not put a water seperating fuel filter in what they target as 'an entry-level' boat.Go figure.I guess they are keeping the price down on the 3L engines.

Conversely a high price entry boat seldom comes with a remote oil filter,even if it takes 3 monkeys and a goat standing on their heads to change it.Again .... Go Figure.

Purchase the Mercruiser water seperator kit (around $48.00) because thats what you have.You'll also need fittings and fuel ine,but then your system will be up to par.

DHP

 

[turbodriven]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

Well tonight I purchased an aluminum bracketed canister fuel filter/water separator kit from Wal Mart. $25 plus I need some brass fittings from Home Depot. I'm going to splice this in front of the fuel pump and remove the stone filter at least temporarily. It's missing small pieces when I inspected it last and I'm sure it's near the end of it's life. I've got a replacement on order but the boat should be fine for a few days without it. Especially if clean fuel is coming into the pump from the new canister filter kit.

P.S. - DHPMARINE: the oil filter mounted on the block IS a pain. Last time I changed my oil the mess from pulling off that oil filter was enough to call OSHA :|

 

[Don S]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

Glad to see you are buying the cheapest of the cheap. I'll be watching for you next boating season with the "Won't go over 3000 rpm" blues, or the "won't run unless primed" threads.

 

[turbodriven]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

I'm sorry if my ignorance doesn't follow your logic.

The "cheapest of the cheap" would be the plastic bracket one from Boaters World or BoatUS. The "lowest price" one that I bought from Wal Mart is the same as the one you can get from any of the boat shops for $38. The canister filter that comes with it even has a Mercury part number on it. Now I suppose you are right... I could have bought the stainless steel one for $55 (again at the boat shops) but I run strictly fresh water with my boat and I didn't see the need.

 

[turbodriven]

Re: Fuel filter question on 3.0L Mercruiser

For reference... the kit looks almost exactly like this only the filter is black.