performance loss with the install of fuel filter/water seperator is this an issue

wildvortex

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 22, 2011
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I have a 94 force 120 outboard which has n inline filter. if I was to remove that and install a filter/water seperator would this decrease the performance of the engine?
 

robert graham

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Re: performance loss with the install of fuel filter/water seperator is this an issue

A fuel/water seperator type canister filter is generally much larger and has a higher flow rate than an in-line type filters, will not generally restrict fuel flow or reduce performance. Now if you had a badly contaminated fuel tank/fuel system then any filter can eventually plug up and restrict flow, but you'd want to remove large amounts of water, dirt, contamination before it could plug a filter. I personally feel that the Fuel/Water seperator type canister filters are the best preventive maintenance items so far. Walmart/Attwood brand is $27, easy 2 screw installation! Good Luck!:)
 

wildvortex

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Jun 22, 2011
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Re: performance loss with the install of fuel filter/water seperator is this an issue

Thanks, fuel tank is clean. am in the process of a restore and cleaned the tank while I had it out.
 

robert graham

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Re: performance loss with the install of fuel filter/water seperator is this an issue

Once or twice a year I unscrew my canister, dump it out, put it back on, seems to work great keeping trash out of carbs. Once your fuel system is clean, it should pretty much stay that way. A fuel stabilizer like Stabil or Seafoam is also good to help prevent fuel degrading in the tank and carbs.
 

Frank Acampora

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Re: performance loss with the install of fuel filter/water seperator is this an issue

With these multi-carb engines, even with a water separator/filter it is still advisable to use a small inline filter just before the carb feed and after the fuel pump. You will not experience any loss in performance and will be assured that if the fuel pump starts to shed particles they will not clog the inlet needles of the carbs, causing engine damage.
 

robert graham

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Re: performance loss with the install of fuel filter/water seperator is this an issue

With these multi-carb engines, even with a water separator/filter it is still advisable to use a small inline filter just before the carb feed and after the fuel pump. You will not experience any loss in performance and will be assured that if the fuel pump starts to shed particles they will not clog the inlet needles of the carbs, causing engine damage.

Pretty darn good advice here, especially with older motors/fuel lines/ethanol fuels. When I installed my fuel/water seperator I just left the motor-mounted, under-cowl filter in place to be the back-up filter, just in case. Good Luck!:)
 
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