fuel water separator question

[bfan781]

Hello,
Havent been here in a year or so but its boating time again!
I don't have a fuel water separator on my 19' Center console but plan to add one this weekend. Few questions I have:

Do they also filter out junk and crud besides separating water? Reason I ask is right now I am running on a portable tank and running good. I want to try and go back to the main built in tank. The plan is to drain the gas and install separator. Not to sure of the condition of the main fuel line and if the tank has crud in it.

I don't want to go backwards now that boat is operating properly. I figure if there is a problem from the ball back the filter will take care of it not to contiminate the motor and carbs again. Real nervous about getting junk in the motor. Hoping separator and filters will prevent that.

When searching for a fuel/water separator I see that there are 1/4 and 3/8 inputs, I assume for a 115HP Mariner outboard I want to go with the the 3/8? Am I right on this?

Lastly, Where do I install the separator, I have the nipple coming out of side on boat where the ball connects to. Does it go there where it is visible? or does it go in the bilge hidden but harder to access? It is a stander 19' center console.


thanks in advance!

 

[sutor623]

Re: fuel water separator question

Hello,
Havent been here in a year or so but its boating time again!
I don't have a fuel water separator on my 19' Center console but plan to add one this weekend. Few questions I have:

Do they also filter out junk and crud besides separating water? Reason I ask is right now I am running on a portable tank and running good. I want to try and go back to the main built in tank. The plan is to drain the gas and install separator. Not to sure of the condition of the main fuel line and if the tank has crud in it.

I don't want to go backwards now that boat is operating properly. I figure if there is a problem from the ball back the filter will take care of it not to contiminate the motor and carbs again. Real nervous about getting junk in the motor. Hoping separator and filters will prevent that.

When searching for a fuel/water separator I see that there are 1/4 and 3/8 inputs, I assume for a 115HP Mariner outboard I want to go with the the 3/8? Am I right on this?

Lastly, Where do I install the separator, I have the nipple coming out of side on boat where the ball connects to. Does it go there where it is visible? or does it go in the bilge hidden but harder to access? It is a stander 19' center console.


thanks in advance!

You should have an in-line fuel filter BEFORE the gas hits the separator.

 

[sutor623]

Re: fuel water separator question

I have my tank>fuelfilter>fuel/water separator>primerbulb>outboard. This works fine for me. Never had any issues.

 

[robert graham]

Re: fuel water separator question

The Walmart/Attwood Fuel Water Separator($27), easy 2 screw install on transom somewhere out of the way but accessible to change the canister. Better not to install in enclosed area for ventilation purposes. These Separators look and act just like the oil filter on a car, and do a great job of stopping water and debris from reaching your carbs. Your motor probably has 3/8" fuel hoses, you'll need 2 barbs and 2 pipe plugs(whatever it takes to go in your filter base)(Ace Hardware),and some stainless hose clamps. Carefully plan, cut hoses, and mount your filter base so hoses don't rub or get pinched when motor moves for steering. This is a very easy installation and the Separator works like a charm! Good Luck!

 

[bfan781]

Re: fuel water separator question

ok gotcha!

So out of the nipple coming out of the side of the boat, I should run a short piece of 3/8, install inline fuel filter, then more hose going to the fuel/water separator, then bulb, then outboard.

Any junk/debri in the tank should hit the inline filter first, but then i also have the fuel/water separtor and a few filters in the actualy outboard.

And I can mount it right to the back of the transom.

 

[sutor623]

Re: fuel water separator question

ok gotcha!

So out of the nipple coming out of the side of the boat, I should run a short piece of 3/8, install inline fuel filter, then more hose going to the fuel/water separator, then bulb, then outboard.

Any junk/debri in the tank should hit the inline filter first, but then i also have the fuel/water separtor and a few filters in the actualy outboard.

And I can mount it right to the back of the transom.

Yup!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: fuel water separator question

bfan, If you install a water seperator, you do not need an inline or any other filter. Water seperators filter to 25 microns or finer particles. Actually additional filters will cause a restriction that the motor may not be able to handle. Mount the water separator canister down. Water seperation is because of gravity. Water sinks to the bottom and fuel is drawn off the top. Take an extra canister with you on your first trip using the main tank. Just in case it gets clogged. Primer bulb is installed between seperator and motor. After first trip, remove and dump canister into clear container and observe water, if any.

 

[bfan781]

Re: fuel water separator question

Great thanks for the advice! What exactly do you mean by down? Should I not mount it to the transom?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: fuel water separator question

Mount the seperator fitting to a vertical surface, with the canister on the bottom and the fuel lines on the top.

 

[robert graham]

Re: fuel water separator question

There's nothing tricky or complex about mounting this filter, just 2 screws into your transom, then screw the cartridge(just like an oil filter on a car) into the filter base. I unsrew my cartridge now and then and dump it in a clean container to inspect for water or debris, screw it back on, good to go! Best thing since sliced bread!