Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

[bds85466]

1982 Merc 898 I/O

1.) In questionable behavior, my roommate unsuccessfully attempted to remove/replace the fuel water separator filter. I'm guessing he was using an oil filter wrench which was too small, as all he seemed to do (by my inspection) was crush and dent the filter. I realize that these things can be sticky to get off, so does anyone have some good pointers for getting this filter off without damaging anything further Adjustable strap or chain wrench? I'm guessing the diameter of the filter is about 3-3/4" from the replacement part Sierra 18-7944.

2.) If the filter is replaced (successfully), is there a need to prime the fuel pump?

3.) As I was inspecting the separator, I noticed liquid hanging/dripping on the bottom of the fuel pump (at least what I thought was the fuel pump). There was a steel hose running from the filter to a circular looking thing, behind the separator, under the log manifold. The liquid was accumulating near the brass connection and on the bottom of what I believe to be the pump. From the smell of it, it was definitely gasoline. Would this be a possible loose connection to the pump, or a bad gasket in the pump? The boat runs well as far as fuel delivery, but now knowing that there may be leaking gasoline, it's definitely a safety hazard.

Any pointers or advice are greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Hard to say about part 3 ---- the filter may be leaking now. I would get the filter off with a suitable wrench or very large pair of water pump pliers.

Then lube the rubber gasket and threads ---- oil from the dip stick works in a pinch --- then spin it on until the gasket touches then just hand tight ---- there is no pressure there and using a wrench to tighten it is baaaaaad Start and check for leaks. I have never filled mine ---- I would slop gas all over anyway ---- wife calls me a clumsy fool


Have fun.


OFM

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

A strap wrench is the best way to get the old separator off. A Stilson (Chain) wrench is the backup plan. Try to positon the wrench as high up as possible. The filters have a meatier face plate than body. I had to use my Stilson wrench on the oil filter on my new car. The blasted car maker nearly had it welded on.

Install the new filter as mentioned. Two hands is tight enough. One hand if you are strong, is sufficient.

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

I'm a bit afraid to really torque on the filter to get it off. Not like scaredy cat afraid, more like afraid that I'll ruin something, or wreck the separator by piercing it. What if it won't come off?

Confidently knowing that it will come off, would you expect there to be gasoline spilling everywhere as I remove it? Should I get a pan of some sort to try and let it not go into the bilge? I noticed there's a ball valve right next to my filter to shut off the incoming gas line to the bracket.

When you said you've never filled yours, does that mean fill your filter with gasoline? Is there any worry that the pump will lose it's prime? Or doesn't it work that way?

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Try to positon the wrench as high up as possible. The filters have a meatier face plate than body.

I will try to get as close to the bracket as possible, though the thing is absolutely mangled. The closer you are to the threads the more physics you have working in your favor as the further you move down, the more the filter will flex torsionally.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Confidently knowing that it will come off, would you expect there to be gasoline spilling everywhere as I remove it?

Ayuh,... It'll leak the amount In the filter, about a Pint...
The fuel pump will reprime itself, even with an Empty filter...

Unless your Bud spilled gas on the Fuel Pump,...
I'm guessing your's needs Replacing...
When the diaphram ruptures, it's supposed to send the leaking fuel up the plastic tube to the carb,...
By your discription,.. You don't have that Tube...

 

[Maclin]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

The fuel filter cannister threads are righty tighty, lefty loosey BUT it is upside down so maybe you guys are torqueing it the wrong way. You need to turn it clockwise looking down.

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

The fuel filter cannister threads are righty tighty, lefty loosey BUT it is upside down so maybe you guys are torqueing it the wrong way. You need to turn it clockwise looking down.

beleive me, we thought that through thouroughly

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Unless your Bud spilled gas on the Fuel Pump,...
I'm guessing your's needs Replacing...
When the diaphram ruptures, it's supposed to send the leaking fuel up the plastic tube to the carb,...
By your discription,.. You don't have that Tube...

Bond-o, I'm very curious now -- via my description, do you mean my model engine doesn't have this tube?

I may be wrong as I'm completely wet on this, but I believe there is a tube going from a hose barb on the fuel pump up to the aftermarket carb, see the pic. The green arrow points to the tube, you can't see where it attaches to the pump but you can see where it's leading. The red arrow is the fuel line where (besides on the bottom of the fuel pump) there is gasoline on. If you touch the bottom of the brass fitting or the pump, you get your fingers wet with gas.

That 'tube' would only be sucking gas to the carb when the engine is running, correct?

 

[Apollo75]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

I am old, my eyes are old, but it doesn't look like your nice big screw on micron filter is hooked up. And there is a fuel filter in the line to the carb ?

Someone with better eyes check this please.

Added : Okay, I see the black lines ---- good ---- proceed gentlemen.


OFM

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

but I believe there is a tube going from a hose barb on the fuel pump up to the aftermarket carb,

Ayuh,... You mentioned the Brass Fitting, but Not the Tube,... My mistake...

If there's Gas in the tube, it's usually there after the motor is shut off, as well as when runnin'....
Anyways,...
If there's gas leaking from the fuel pump,.... It needs Replacing... It's a Non-serviceable part...

edit;
Just looked at the picture,... That fuel line is All Wrong....
Get that little In-line filter Outta there...
That's supposed to be a single continuous line from the fuel pump to the carb,...

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

On the fuel filter, get a dog training pad, put it under the filter to absorb the spilled gas. Take a screw driver and a hammer and drive that sucker right through the filter. Use the screw driver to get the filter off.

That is how I got the factory installed one off. A good filter wrench has worked on each since then.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Man that is one TIGHT engine compartment..

Dont wanna change that starter!

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Just looked at the picture,... That fuel line is All Wrong....
Get that little In-line filter Outta there...
That's supposed to be a single continuous line from the fuel pump to the carb,...

Yeah that came installed from the previous owner -- didn't know how functional it was in the first place. I suppose extra filtering/plugged filtering would mean more work on the pump; could this contribute to lower pump life?

Follow up question, how would I [easily] make that a straight line? Could I take out the filter and just add some stiff hosing with zip ties or would I need to get a whole new metal line? ($$?)

Is the fuel pump a possible DIYer? -- looks f'n tricky to get at, plus i don't know much about all the fittings and plumbing.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

beleive me, we thought that through thouroughly

There was a thread here where somebody's was stuck like that and I thought to post about the upside down orientation and didn't, turned out that was their problem, they just kept turning it the wrong way harder and harder....


Good luck!

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Take a screw driver and a hammer and drive that sucker right through the filter. Use the screw driver to get the filter off.

That is how I got the factory installed one off. A good filter wrench has worked on each since then.

Yeah I thought about doing that, but for some reason I was thinking a drill, which lead me to say absolutely not, since it'd be going through a gasoline membrane which is highly combustible. I suppose it wouldn't be as bad hammering a big ol' screwdriver through, though.

From the looks of it, my fuel-water separator could very well be an original. Hence why we were trying to change it in the first place. I'm sure this also could play a role in fuel pump life.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Could I take out the filter and just add some stiff hosing with zip ties or would I need to get a whole new metal line? ($$?)

Ayuh,... I'd build a New 1 outa automotive Brakeline,+ my flaring tool,+ my bending tool...

Zip ties are Out of the question,... Sleeving it with marine fuel line,+ hose Clamps,... Maybe...

Is the fuel pump a possible DIYer? -- looks f'n tricky to get at, plus i don't know much about all the fittings and plumbing.

Ayuh,... a 3/8" socket set, a set of end-wrenches,+ a set of Tubing Wrenches is what you need...
Whether You can do it is up to You....

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

There was a thread here where somebody's was stuck like that and I thought to post about the upside down orientation and didn't, turned out that was their problem, they just kept turning it the wrong way harder and harder....


Good luck!

Just to be sure, now: If I'm looking down on the filter from the top, it should be turned clockwise to get it to unscrew, right?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

USCG rules say that you need 1 piece steel tubing from the fuel pump to the carb. With nothing, no filters, in between. You'd to best to also keep that steel line off of the exhaust manifolds. To make it, you buy off the shelf straight tubing (brake line tubing) from NAPA. Then you need a tubing cutting, a flareing tool, and tubing bender plumb in the line to size.

As far as the filter goes, just a strap wrench ought to do it. Don't worry about breaking the filter housing (they are cheap to replace). To catch the gas, I use a plastic shopping bag from the grocery store and wrap it around the filter, then I put a strap wrench over the bag. If your careful the bag should catch all of it.

 

[bds85466]

Re: Fuel Line/Separator/Pump Questions

Ayuh,... I'd build a New 1 outa automotive Brakeline,+ my flaring tool,+ my bending tool...

Sounds ambitious for my skill set, though I'm sure if you were closer, you'd do it for fun with your sweet tools. I wouldn't even know where to start with that.

Zip ties are Out of the question,... Sleeving it with marine fuel line,+ hose Clamps,... Maybe...

Hose clamps are what I meant, duh! Seriously though, it looks as if that's how [the originial owner] spliced in the filter in the first place right? Hosing and *tight* clamps on both ends of the preinstalled line? I think that is more a project I could undertake if people think it would hold up.

Ayuh,... a 3/8" socket set, a set of end-wrenches,+ a set of Tubing Wrenches is what you need...
Whether You can do it is up to You....

Yah, I might just buy the pump and let an expert install it when I winterize...