merc fuel filter/water seperator

[jmarty10]

I just purchased a quicksilver fuel filter/water seperator for my mercruiser i/o 4.3. I am going to change the filter this weekend before I start the boat for the season. I saw on another thread when researching the timing of when to replace filter that some are adding gas to the filter before it is installed. Do I need to do this? Anythig else I need to do or watch for when I replace filter. Thank you.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

Howdy,


Some people do that with oil filters to reduce the time it takes to fill it with oil running the engine.....

If you fill the filter with gas it reduces the amount of time you spend cranking (if you just crank the engine to prime it) You also run the added risk of spilling some in the bilge doing this.....

I just put it on empty (lube the gasket) and drop a little gas in the carburetor. The filter fills pretty fast when the engine starts......It might take a couple of tries but it's easier that way....


Cheers,


rick

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

I have to agree with HT I just put it on and crank it a few times. If you run the engine before you change it the carb bowl will have gas in it for an initial boost to get the new filter primed and it will take less cranking. Good luck!

 

[jmarty10]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

I could not get the animal off. I made sure I cranked the correct way and it wouldnt budge. But, I got the boat started and it ran pretty good on the muffs, so I will wing the water seperator replacement for now. Thanks guys.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

You are delaying the inevitable - if you wait, you will probably discover that you need to get it off in a hurry due to engine problems. Better to do it now while you have the time and the engine is running well. Just my 2 pennies.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

I had to put a screw driver through my original one to get it off. Now, its a piece of cake each year.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

I could not get the animal off. I made sure I cranked the correct way and it wouldnt budge. But, I got the boat started and it ran pretty good on the muffs, so I will wing the water seperator replacement for now. Thanks guys.

Ok,


Put a big wrench on the filter base and use a filter wrench to get the old one off............. next time, use a little marine grease on the gasket and don't tighten it so tight!



Cheers,


Rick

 

[Fun Times]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

I could not get the animal off. I made sure I cranked the correct way and it wouldnt budge. But, I got the boat started and it ran pretty good on the muffs, so I will wing the water seperator replacement for now. Thanks guys.

What I normally will do when I know they are on that tight is I will use "two" oil filter wrenches at the same time, One to push and one to pull, Get them as close to the base of the filter as you can get them to go.

Just go slow, Let the top wrench be most of the power and the bottom wrench will be just a little bit of power, Just enough before you think you are going to crush the filter.

This works for me a lot even if I have already crushed the filter a little bit with just using one wrench, I will go get the second wrench to help out, Or sometimes if I'm being lazy I will use a shop red rag around the filter, And that will sometimes get them off when they are that tight, But two wrenches are better.

Or another trick you could try doing is put a wrap of sandpaper under the strap of the fiter wrench, Sometimes this trick will work also.

I hope that one of these tricks will help you out with getting the filter off easier. Good luck with it.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

Im using a filter wrench, one of those pieces that fits on the filter and you twist it with a ratchet. Its like turning a light bulb. Right is loose and left is tight correct? I'm looking down on it.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

Im using a filter wrench, one of those pieces that fits on the filter and you twist it with a ratchet. Its like turning a light bulb. Right is loose and left is tight correct? I'm looking down on it.

No, You are turning it the Wrong way. It's righty tighty lefty loosey.

To remove it you turn it to the left, Or in other words spin ratchet towards the back of the engine/boat to remove the fuel filter.

 

[jetmart]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

if the filter is upright - meaning the gasket/screw end is up then you should be turning it clockwise while looking down on it.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

if the filter is upright - meaning the gasket/screw end is up then you should be turning it counter-clockwise while looking down on it.

No it goes clockwise from looking down, You would be turning it to your left if you where able to sit right in front of the filter, Our even sit off to the side of the filter.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

You guys are confusing me, and I know which way it turns off!


It's real simple - it comes off counter-clockwise - just like an oil filter.

If you are looking down on it from above, then it will appear to go clockwise.

 

[jetmart]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

your right - brain fart.

 

[Fun Times]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

You guys are confusing me, and I know which way it turns off!


It's real simple - it comes off counter-clockwise - just like an oil filter.

If you are looking down on it from above, then it will appear to go clockwise.

Sorry about the confusion guys, I started over thinking about this one, Now he may never get it off.

 

[boat127]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

what i do with my oil filter wrenches is I i take sand paper (course paper) then sand cross hatch patterns around my wrench so it gives a better grip I also take a center punch and make indent marks around the wrench gives it a little more bite when dealing with filters

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

Im using a filter wrench, one of those pieces that fits on the filter and you twist it with a ratchet. Its like turning a light bulb. Right is loose and left is tight correct? I'm looking down on it.

Um, I still didn't get which way the filter is installed.

Is the filter ABOVE the "base" or BELOW it?


If it's BELOW the base........looking from above..... the filter should turn clockwise to loosen.



If the filter is screwed on to the base from above, (I.E. when you loosen it, oil pours all over the place) then (looking from above) turn the filter counter-clockwise to loosen. (who ever designed it that way should be slapped!!!)


Sheesh!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

This is getting too damn funny!

ALWAYS turn the filter due north...if you live ABOVE the demarcation line.

If you live BELOW the demarcation line...then you shouldn't be in a boat altogether...and it's best if it never runs again.

Good luck...and Happy Boating!

 

[StitchSC]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

if it hasnt been mentioned.... put a dab of oil on the new filter o ring, and make sure the old o ring came off with the filter.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: merc fuel filter/water seperator

Like I said, I am going to wait and let the marina replace it for $15..............
BTW - the filter is on the bottom of the bracket. But, why is it when I change a recessed light bulb on my ceiling, I turn it counter clockwise to loosen and clockwise to tighten. Wouldnt it be the same for this filter.
IM SO CONFUSED!!!!!!