mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

m_court15

Seaman
Joined
Jun 24, 2006
Messages
70
sorry for the newbie question, but is it possible my 470 doesn't have a fuel filter? I was looking at the shop manual and took apart what I though it would be, but nothing. I'm totally new to engine things. Also I'm having trouble finding the fuel/water separator.
 

newbster

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
100
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

There should be a simple screen filter in the carb. You might think about picking up a fuel filter/ water separator with a drain able glass bowl on it. Its a good idea to replace them once per season and carry a spare filter.
 

incrediblened

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 24, 2009
Messages
148
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

I removed my fuel filter, cut my fuel line, and put in an inline fuel filter. This way I can buy a much larger filter that is inexpensive and very easy to install annually.

Good suggestion on the water separator though. I haven't done that yet.
 

artificialreef

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 21, 2009
Messages
504
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

Before you go fabbing something up. I found mine on top of the fuel pump. It looks like a german helmut the size of a pack of cigarettes. When you are in the boat looking to the stern it will be on the block mid lower left hand side. Mine also had a safety wire holding the bolt down to keep it from backing off. I think you should put one back in when you remove it for obviouse reasons. My engine sat for 2-3 years and I changed that out, ran a hose to an external tank (poured oil in the plug holes, changed the plugs and wires) and it started. Amazing.
 

ne7800

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Jul 10, 2008
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1,195
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

I removed my fuel filter, cut my fuel line, and put in an inline fuel filter. This way I can buy a much larger filter that is inexpensive and very easy to install annually.

Good suggestion on the water separator though. I haven't done that yet.

Ditto my boat sat with a half a tank of gas for 3 years so i keep cloggin the filter in the carb (oh yeah there IS a filter in the carb just pull the fule line off it is behind that ) so i put a in line filter as well.
 

artificialreef

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504
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

ne7800, do you mean there is another one past the one on the fuel pump?
 

ne7800

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Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

ne7800, do you mean there is another one past the one on the fuel pump?

Yeah there is a small paper filter in the carb behind the fuel line, fuel line threads in to carb with around a 1 inch fitting filter is in there about 1/2 - 3/4 inch in diamater and about 1- 1 1/2 long
 

artificialreef

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504
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

Oh Damn, THANKS NE7800, I have been trying to tune my engine for months. Didnt know that was there. YOU ARE WHAT MAKES THESE FORUMS AWESOME. One more question though. That sucker looks like a formed fuel line. Taking it off will kink it. Do you know if it could be replaced with a sweet braided line? Any place to buy something like that, or maybe I should start fabbing and offering it up. I know theres a ton of 470 restorers here, not.
 

Rocky_Road

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Joined
Oct 8, 2008
Messages
1,798
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

Oh Damn, THANKS NE7800, I have been trying to tune my engine for months. Didnt know that was there. YOU ARE WHAT MAKES THESE FORUMS AWESOME. One more question though. That sucker looks like a formed fuel line. Taking it off will kink it. Do you know if it could be replaced with a sweet braided line? Any place to buy something like that, or maybe I should start fabbing and offering it up. I know theres a ton of 470 restorers here, not.


"Braided" fuel lines are illegal for use on inboards, and I/O's. As are the glass drain bowls on the fuel/water seperators....

Don't get caught out on the water with either setup...! :(
 

artificialreef

Chief Petty Officer
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Feb 21, 2009
Messages
504
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

thanks rocky, I am new to boats. How do you change that incarberator fuel filter. Do you have to purchase a tube bender and a flaring tool to replace the effed up line i am about to take off?
 

ne7800

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Messages
1,195
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

There should be enough flex in the line to pull it back enough to remove the filter without hurting the line
 

Rocky_Road

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Joined
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Messages
1,798
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

thanks rocky, I am new to boats. How do you change that incarberator fuel filter. Do you have to purchase a tube bender and a flaring tool to replace the effed up line i am about to take off?

Almost all carbs will have two 'nuts', or fittings, where the fuel line enters the carb. The larger nut is the inlet nut, and this one has to be held securely in place, while the flare nut on the fuel line is loosened. It will pay to use a flare nut wrench on the fuel line fitting...there will be a lot less damage, and posssible rounding off.

I always place some penetrating oil on the flare nut threads...and let it soak for a while. Then, with a close fitting open end wrench, hold the inlet nut totally stationary...while you ease the flare nut loose. Once the flare nut has been 'broken' free, you can back it out without harming the flared end of the fuel line.

Check the parts breakdown for your carb...to see if you actually have a replaceable filter behind the larger inlet nut. Most carbs have this filter...but there are some that didn't. These filters cannot be cleaned...only replaced.

Take your time on loosening the flare nut...if this hasen't been done for any length of time, you can count on the threads to be seized. But the time spent here, beats having to reflare the end of your line!
 

incrediblened

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Apr 24, 2009
Messages
148
Re: mercruiser 470 no fuel filter? newb

Yeah there is a small paper filter in the carb behind the fuel line, fuel line threads in to carb with around a 1 inch fitting filter is in there about 1/2 - 3/4 inch in diamater and about 1- 1 1/2 long
Yeah, I removed that filter too. Actually, a couple years ago I began loosing pressure from my fuel pump and I bypassed the whole fuel pump and installed an electric one.
 
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