Keeping water out of the motor.

[Mark42]

Some of you may have seen my post on the Johnson Forum about the receint demise of my motor. I am beginning to think it was caused by water in the fuel. So before popping on a new powerhead I thought some water protection would be wise.<br /><br />Thinking of installing these two products from the Mega Mall:<br /><br />I picked this filter for its large see through water trap and washable filter. It also handles 25 gph, one heck of a lot more than I will ever burn. Just the thing for those gas stations that pump water, right?<br />

<br /><br />And because I suspect washing the boat has been feeding water into the tank (I don't know for sure but the loop in the vent should have prevented that) I will change the vent to this water intrusion prevention vent. It is available in white and should do a much better job of keeping water out of the tank than my current vent:<br /><br />

<br /><br />What do you think? Will this protect the new powerhead or do I need more?

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

Mark, I don't know about that particular filter. Looks like its made small for a PWC and for the price a regular Racor with see-through bowl isn't that much more. Should be easy to mount it somewhere in your boat I would think.<br /><br />

<br /> <br /><br />I put in a Sea Choice one ($22), but don't like that I can't see if any water has gotten into my tank or whether the filter may have taken in all the water it can hold. I'll be switching over to the Racor as soon as funds allow. I also like that the Racor can be drained as needed. Should be cheaper to run in the long run as I'm now stuck replacing the filter cartridge every winter regardless of how much fuel its filtered just because I have to assume there is water in it that might freeze. With the Racor I assume all I have to do is drain it.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

Mark,<br /><br />I use that Attwood vent on my boat. As far as I can tell, it works really well. <br /><br />While you are at it, I also use the Attwood backflow preventer for the fuel vent line. So far, I have never seen a drop of fuel out of my vent when filling. <br /><br />Good luck with the new engine. <br /><br />Dan

 

[Mark42]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

I saw that Racor too. I don't quite know how it is supposed to work and can't find details even on the Racor website. Does the filter absorb water until it shows in the bottom then you change it? Or does the water collect in the bottom and the filter just removes dirt? How do you know when the filter is dirty if you can't see in it? <br /><br />Dan, thanks for your experience. I may use both of those products. <br /><br />Those water separator filter sure are expensive when compared to a regular remote filter!

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

The water collects in the bowl where you can see it. With the type like I currently have it collects in the bottom of the filter cartridge. The only true way to know if the filter is dirty is to install a small vacuum guage (also available) between the filter and the motor. The reading on the gauge will rise as the filter gets dirtier. Of course there is always the callapsing bulb indication. I think most people just elect to change the filter cartridge at some regular interval. With your motor that large filter should last for many seasons given the relatively low amount of fuel you use per season compared to larger boats the filter is usually installed on. Also consider a replacement filter cartridge is readily available for the standard type fuel water separators. I'm not sure about the availability for the one your looking at. Like I said, I am going to have to change out the filter cartridge on mine this winter not because its dirty , but because I must assume it has water in it since I can't tell otherwise.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

Ok, now that I've worked out all of my talking points to justify going to the Racor, I'm ready to go talk to the boss (wife) about it. First thing she'll say of course is "don't you already have one of those?"

 

[Mark42]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

William, <br /><br />Thanks for the explaination. Hope all goes well with the Boss. I will probably go with that model too.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Keeping water out of the motor.

Actually Mark, the name is Jeff. The Willamette is the name of the river that flows by a couple of blocks from my house and eventually through downtown Portland and into the Columbia river. Kinda cool boating through the downtown area under all the bridges. We really enjoy going through the Willamette Falls locks in Oregon City as well. The locks are in 4 stages for a total for a total drop or raise of 40 feet. There is actually a small 5th stage depending on the river's water level. Sorry about your engine troubles and the premature end to your boating season. Signs of the season ending here soon are in the air. At least that's what I'd like those wake boat owners to believe.