Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

[89 VIP Valiant]

Hello,

Currently diagnosing some driveability issues on my 4.3L OMC Cobra, and when i installed a new engine last year, I removed the fuel/water separator and replaced it with just a simple inline fuel filter. Is this okay, or can it cause some sort of problem?

 

[mkast]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

A fuel filter and water separator. How much water will the in line filter remove from the fuel?

 

[rbh]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

I definetly agree you need a filter with a water separator. If you have the room have a look at the racor 2 piece, the bottom is a see through bowl and you can see if you have any water contamination as well as crud coming from your tank.
rob

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

If you have the room have a look at the racor 2 piece, the bottom is a see through bowl and you can see if you have any water contamination as well as crud coming from your tank.
rob

I believe the type you describe is only to be used for outboards, not I/O's. There are safety reasons for that. Same thing applies to the inline filter you installed. Was it a glass or transparent one? Just be sure to use the right stuff - for your sake and others.

Personally I would put the fuel water separator back on as I am sure it doubles as a filter and a separator. Do you not have a filter at the carb inlet?

Why did you remove the separator? If you are getting so much stuff that your filers are clogging up on a regular basis, then it is probably time to clean your tank.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

Ayuh,... The original filter has a capacity of what,..?? a Quart,..??
And your new 1 has a capacity of What,..?? Maybe a Cup,..??

Put the original back on......

 

[89 VIP Valiant]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

Thanks for the input guys, and to be honest, I don't remember why I took it off, I believe it is because I had a cracked block when i bought the boat, and of course could not find a 4.3L block with the fuel pump hole. So, I installed a good quality metal filter that screws onto the end of my electric fuel pump; not a rinky dink plastic inline for a lawnmower. However, the capacity, well, probably in milliliters!! Also, I did remove and flush the tank out when I rebuilt the boat, so not worried about crud in the filter, but water. Also, how does the water get in the fuel? Can it come in thru the tank vent? (located near the back of the boat)

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

Also, how does the water get in the fuel? Can it come in thru the tank vent? (located near the back of the boat)

Sure it can. You might want to make sure your vent line is routed is such a way that the water has to travel "uphill" before reaching the tank.

 

[gadget73]

Re: Removed fuel/water separator installed inline filter

Condensation is also a factor. Ethanol also happens to be hygroscopic, which is a fancy word that says it sucks water out of the air. In short, yes you need a water sep. I ran water seps plus inlines for years on my boat when it had fuel problems. My Webers don't have a carb-mounted filter like a Qjet does, so I was using them just before the carb so I wasn't having to take the carbs apart every couple weeks to clean them while underway.