Mercruiser 3.0L (1998) Fuel Pump Filter (ceramic or paper)

[sprobst]

I have a 1998 3.0L engine. I've removed the bowl from the fuel pump to replace the fuel filter. The old filter is the ceramic water separating type.

I'm reading that this filter has been superceded to a paper type (35-803897Q1). Is the new paper type still a water separting filter?

Even though the old ceramic type has been superceded, I see that Sierra and Mallory still sell the old ceramic type (Sierra 18-7784).

Should I replace this with a ceramic type or use the paper type? Is there an advantage one over the other?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L (1998) Fuel Pump Filter (ceramic or paper)

It doesn't matter which one you use, what you do need to do is install a water seperating fuel filter. Even if that fuel pump filter did seperate the water out, the bowl isn't big enough to store any water.
With todays E-fuels, there shouldn't be a boat out there without a water seperating fuel filter along with checking and replacing it at least yearly. The less you use the boat, the more you need one.

 

[sprobst]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L (1998) Fuel Pump Filter (ceramic or paper)

Thanks, Don.

I ended up installing the paper filter. I see what you mean. The spring space at the bottom of the bowl is pretty small....not much space to hold water.

The after market water separating filter installation sounds like a good winter project for me. I was looking around for a good install location yesterday. Is the height of the filter of any consequence? Can the location be higher than the fuel tank?