Fuel filters and such

rasbury

So...I just pumped out 50 gallons of non ethanol fuel I suspect aged out. The boat would run but not plane out- wasn't missing just no power- so I figured the place to start- about 2 1/2 year old fuel with no "protection " . Do next is filters but I'm a bit confused. My fuel line to the engine goes through a filter and right into the pump. No fuel water separator.  I do have one for the generator and I believe another in line filter- this sound right? The big looking filter is the pump I used to pump out the has. The black filter is at the bottom right. The generator frame is disappearing. 

mbnarney

@rasbury I am confused. That white 18-7845 is your filter/seperator. It should be on the left side of your engine. Looks just like an oil filter.

YYZRC

You might want to consider a fuel/water separator with a drain. Seems like you have a lot of issues with water in the fuel.  

mbnarney

I thought the same thing but was told they are not approved for inboard engines just outboards.

YYZRC

Respectfully to @rasbury , there are quite a few things going on in that engine bay that are a bit dicey - I don’t think a fuel/water separator with a drain would compound much!

PickleRick

Supposedly you're not supposed to add an extra filter in a mercruiser system that uses cool fuel.  Engineers claim it over works the fuel pump.  


The OEM screw on is an water separator filter iirc, just doesn't have the inspection bowl.   A bowl isn't something you want hanging next to a hot gas exhaust manifold. 

rasbury

The Sierra fuel water separator is on the bulkhead wall next to the genset.  The line to the motor from the tank goes through the black filter and then t o the pump. The fuel I pumped out looked good.

PickleRick

Poor genset needs a tetanus shot!  

PickleRick

rasbury said:

The Sierra fuel water separator is on the bulkhead wall next to the genset.  The line to the motor from the tank goes through the black filter and then t o the pump. The fuel I pumped out looked good.

Try running it in your lawnmower, that's at least an easy carb to clean 

YYZRC

PickleRick said:

Supposedly you're not supposed to add an extra filter in a mercruiser system that uses cool fuel.  Engineers claim it over works the fuel pump.  

It looks to me like the cool fuel module has been removed and replaced with an in-line pump? (first picture)

PickleRick

I don't even know what a cool fuel system looks like.   

rasbury

So I'm getting @PickleRick that i do not, or should not, use one on the motor. Not much for a filter- is guess the one must be really good! I'll get the filters ordered and installed with some fresh fuel and see where I am out. Got an issue with the search light and assume it's in the switch. 

rasbury

YYZRC said:

Respectfully to @rasbury , there are quite a few things going on in that engine bay that are a bit dicey - I don’t think a fuel/water separator with a drain would compound much!

Well! 

rasbury

PickleRick said:

Poor genset needs a tetanus shot!  

I had water coming into the bilge I just could not figure out where it was coming from and unfortunately it was also coming thru the headliner for mid ship. Just could not figure out where it was coming from- pulled lots of stuff apart and resealed. I discovered the culprit washing the boat. I noticed that the dry storage next to the helm was not so dry- PO had drilled a hole in the bottom to drain it. Ruined the generator shield and the wood is the mid ship ceiling.

Dream_Inn

PickleRick said:

I don't even know what a cool fuel system looks like.   

I sure wish I could say that one!!

PickleRick

rasbury said:

So I'm getting @PickleRick that i do not, or should not, use one on the motor. Not much for a filter- is guess the one must be really good! I'll get the filters ordered and installed with some fresh fuel and see where I am out. Got an issue with the search light and assume it's in the switch. 

I was assuming you'd likely have a cool fuel system as your 270 is in the vintage range of others who do have that style system.  

Yyzrc mentioned yours looks like it's been replaced so you might be able to add something but I'd call a tech line at defender or maybe west marine to verify they have one rated for inboard use.  You dont want to add a fire hazard.  

rasbury

@PickleRick The cool fuel is on the port side ' fuel goes to pump in thexarea of the picture then to the hp pump port side then cool fuel then fuel rail  (may go to cool fuel then pump) I've not had to dig into that, yet!

I'm going to have to do something with that gen set frame as it is absolutely crumbling. Let's take some painted steel and put it in a damp bilge to see what happens...I don't think it does anything for noise, just making a mess-

aero3113

@PickleRick this is what the cool fuel module look like on my engines.

PickleRick

That looks cool!!!

Dream_Inn

PickleRick said:

That looks cool!!!

Yeah, if they didn't paint the inside of it only to then get eaten by ethanol fuel and clog the regulator.  I'm on my 3rd set (at one boat unit per engine, it's not fun), but I've been using non-ethanol fuel mostly now.  I guess I'm going on 5 good years or so now.  I've been told that the version I currently have does not have the internal coating that will flake off anymore.   The pump basically has a high and low pressure pump built in as well as two fuel filters and a regulator.  They've also changed the newer models to have better fittings for the cooling water.

echandler1971

mbnarney said:

I thought the same thing but was told they are not approved for inboard engines just outboards.

Only the plastic bottom can’t be in an engine compartment. They make ones with metal bottoms that can. I have those in front of both of my engines before the filters that are on the engines themselves. I had 40 gallons of water pulled from my tanks 2 yrs ago. Infiltration issue already fixed, but not taking chances now. 

rasbury

Dang @echandler1971- if there is a silver lining at least you didn't pay for 40 gallons! I'm fortunate here in fl I was able to pump it and take it to the county transfer station and dump it for free. I'm sure businesses are hammered.