fuel filter/water separator replacment

[tfret]

How often should these be changed? I put between 30 to 50 hours a season on our ski boat, so annually seems a bit unnecessary I would think. I just wonder how many hours of operation one of these is typically good for.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

with todays fuels, 50 hours or annually.

 

[Don S]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

100 hours or yearly, which ever comes first. Unless you see water in your old filter (check for water before throwing away)
If you have more than a couple of tablespoon fulls of water, you may need to get the water out of the tank. Or change more often, as needed.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

Not giving advice here, just an observation, I was over at my brothers house over the weekend and he was putting up his boat for the winter, the engine cover off and I was noticing the fuel filter was about rusted out, I asked him if he ever changes it, said he had changed it once since he's had the boat in 15yrs! OMG I said every year it should be changed, he just laughed and said yea I should change that thing.
I spun mine off last year and poured the fuel into a glass jar, no water clean, spun the filter right back on.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

seeing as this is most likely the LEAST EXPENSIVE item on the boat I change mine yearly- I have never seen any water in the glass jar I dump it in to though.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

Not giving advice here, just an observation, I was over at my brothers house over the weekend and he was putting up his boat for the winter, the engine cover off and I was noticing the fuel filter was about rusted out, I asked him if he ever changes it, said he had changed it once since he's had the boat in 15yrs! OMG I said every year it should be changed, he just laughed and said yea I should change that thing.
I spun mine off last year and poured the fuel into a glass jar, no water clean, spun the filter right back on.

And yours engine hasn't been bombarded with years of gas station filth and fuel impurities.
This christmas, give your brother a set of filters for his boat.

 

[Knightgang]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

I agree, annually. My boat sat for 1 1/2 years while I was in Iraq. When I returned, I had to rebuild the carbs, and I noticed when I pulled the filter, it was 1/2 full of water. It was the one that came on the boat from previous owner 3 years before. So, I definetly agree with annually...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

When I bought my boat used back in 2002, the filter that was on the boat had just a tiny amount of water in it. It was enough to create quite an area of rust on the bottom of the filter. Wouldn't want that rust to get dislodged and sent to the carb...that is for sure.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

How is the water getting your tanks in the first place?

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

Ways water gets into our fuel tanks:

Storing the boat with empty or nearly empty fuel tanks for long periods of time can allow condensation to form in the tanks.

Improperly angled breather vents.

Incorrectly installed breather hose.

Poorly sealed fuel filler caps.

Buying gas from places with old in ground tanks.

Loose filler hoses, and/or loose fuel sender unit.

 

[bds85466]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

They're like 5 bucks...very cheap peace of mind.

 

[tfret]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

Thanks for all the replys, very insightful. I'll just change it yearly to be safe.
But some posts have left me with a couple more questions.
1. How should the tank vent be properly angled? The holes in mine point straight down, so I can see where water could get sprayed right in the vent holes when plowing a way.
2. How do you get the inevitable water out of the tank?

 

[tractoman]

Re: fuel filter/water separator replacment

The vent hose should go up from the vent before it goes down to the tank like a swans neck. It only has to vent fumes. If it is correctly configured, it should allow any splashing water to flow out of the vent and not into the tank. Opposite of a sink trap.