Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

[ST]

I wonder why is that I've never heard of anyone driving a car having a water/fuel seperator installed in their cars?

To the contrary, a lot of boaters have this filter in their boats. Don't we all buy our gas from the same gas stations most of the time?

Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but I am just curious...Thanks!

-spelling edited 01:00 EST 08/10/06

 

[crunch]

Re: Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

Hmmmmmmmmm... I have a water fuel separator in my truck, but it's a diesel. Could it be that most people don't drive their cars in the lake?

Just kidding you, it seems like a good idea considering how important clean fuel is to a boater... bet airplanes have them too.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

[colour=blue]No such thing as a stupid question, just stupid answers........................

Because you can't die from dehydration or malnutrition if you break down on the freeway, and roadside service is everywhere.

Car engines usually run hotter and much more frequently, small amounts of water pass through the system without incident.

Diesel is a different animal, any water is a no no.

BTW, car (EFI) fuel filters do trap a small amount of water.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

I have one in my car but it is also a diesel. In addition, marine fuel systems do not return fuel to the tank, as nearly all auto fuel systems do, partly to limit water (condensation)...

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

And marine environments are very humid and and marine engines run in pretty encolsed spaces that are relatively cool, not like a car with all the heat off the pavement and air blowing across it all the time and thermostats that open close to 200 degr F.

And marine fuel sits for long periods, not fresh like in your car you drive every day, fueled from filling stations that get a couple of trucks a week in with fresh fuel.

Mark

 

[jtexas]

Re: Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

plus which, whereas I have on rare occasion bought boat gas at a marina, I almost never fill up my car at the dock. 8)

 

[swist]

Re: Why water/fuel seperator installed in many boats but unheard of in cars?

Ever notice how few modern car engines just quit? It'sactually pretty rare. While that may be a testament to good design, it's more likely due to the mostl;y ideal conditions car engines run in most of the time - in particular a transmission that makes sure the engine is turning minimum rpms most of the time. How reliable would our outboards be if they hung around 2000 rpm all the time.

You can put almost any kind of crap into a modern car engine and it will run. It would never notice a little water.