Fuel water separator install

[matt167]

I ordered a new OEM mercruiser fuel water separator to install in my boat after I had a pretty severe water in fuel issue ( cut trip short when kicker quit )

My boat has 2 fuel tanks with a selector. Should I keep the selector in place or tie the tanks into the 2 inlets together? I’m also going to hook the kicker motor into the separator as I think it’s actually a better solution on my boat. The kicker tanks only place is strapped to the transom which works but it also easily allows rain water in. I’m thinking I should leave the selector as that makes 2 separate fuel systems

Can I plumb a ball on the outside of the transom to the kicker? Obviously using marine rated fuel line

 

[dingbat]

My boat has 2 fuel tanks with a selector. Should I keep the selector in place or tie the tanks into the 2 inlets together?

Putting the two tanks together will cause problems

 

[matt167]

Putting the two tanks together will cause problems

That’s what I was thinking. I think I’ll mount it right next to the selector valve.

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, remove and siphon the fuel out of the kicker tank and pour off the water.

Spend $10 on an electric fuel pump and siphon the fuel off the bottom of the main tank and pour off the water.

A water separator works by allowing the water to settle to the bottom of the separator canister. If that fills up, water will go to the motors.

 

[matt167]

Gee, remove and siphon the fuel out of the kicker tank and pour off the water.

Spend $10 on an electric fuel pump and siphon the fuel off the bottom of the main tank and pour off the water.

A water separator works by allowing the water to settle to the bottom of the separator canister. If that fills up, water will go to the motors.

Well yeah oil/ petroleum floats. But if the separator fills up, drain it. Re prime it and keep going… weird thing about oil and water is it doesn’t mix but it can be held together in suspension if it’s shaken or mixed. Hence water seperator

 

[airshot]

Of more concern to me....how is the water getting in ? Check where you buy your fuel ! Often folks are getting bad fuel when they buy it if the vendor doesn't take care of his stuff. Years back I had a water issue on a boat I had recently purchased. Water was getting into the fuel tank, checked supplier and fuel was OK, so that meant water was getting into the tank on its own. Checked the hose from the tank vent to the outer vent on the hull. There was no upward loop on the hose to prevent water from coming into the outer vent and running into the tank thru this vent hose !
Adding the upward loop and changing the vent inlet angle so water could not enter solved my water intrusion issue. Check your system carefully for possible water intrusion areas.

 

[Chris1956]

So Matt, your plan is to cruise for a while, and then empty the separator canister into a bucket on your boat, refill it with fuel from the tank and repeat?

If so, you will introduce fuel and vapors into your cockpit or need to dump it overboard to avoid that. Both are a bad idea as vapors explode real easy, and dumping fuel is illegal.

I am not sure how you will know when the separator has water in it, and how much. Also, if you wait too long to empty the canister, water will get to the motors.

I still think you will want to get as much water as possible out of the fuel, before you leave the dock. The alcohol in E10 gasoline will absorb some water, so if you get nearly all of the water out of the tanks, the fuel should absorb the rest.

 

[matt167]

Everyone keep in mind. Water entered my kicker tank while it was strapped to the transom while on the trailer the night before it was going back out. As most of those tanks do, the caps don’t seal great. My 2 main tanks do not have water issues… but I’m eliminating the kicker tank and adding the water separator because it’s a good idea