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In-line fuel filter ...

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/13/2003 : 09:34:40

Hi everyone,

The subject of fuel filters keeps coming up, and I realized that I don't have one. What kind is best? Where do I buy one? Where is the best place to install it?

Thanks!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2003 : 12:04:05

Here in Knoxville the Boater's World is really good at supplying the bass boat market. So I trust the manager when he recommends a product for powerboating. He recommended an in line fuel filter with a paper filter insert. He said it will filter better than the type with a wire mesh. I bought one, but haven't yet installed it. It's on my to do list though.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/13/2003 : 22:36:56

Hardware, automotive and garden equipment usually have the little in-line filters for a few dollars. The little ones might fit right inside the engine cowl.

I don't know why outboard mfg's don't provide filtration right from the factory.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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mroettersr
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2003 : 01:03:22

I bought a little tiny factory filter for my '93 Honda 8 and it cost about $11 which seemed like highway robbery. I wonder if inserting a small see-through automotive fuel filter in the fuel hose between the tank and the motor would work just as well or better since they are larger. They cost just a couple bucks. Has anyone tried this?

Mike Roetter
'83 C25 #3568 SK/SR
Marblehead on Lake Erie

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2003 : 11:01:19

Here's a little fuel filter story from last weekend...

Last Saturday, the sailor across from me at the marina was taking his Seaward 25 out for a spin. He prepared the boat, started the motor, and then headed out the marina channel. As he left the slip, I gave him the customary, "Have a good sail!" send off.

After about 15 minutes of tinkering on my boat, I walked to the end of the dock to look down the channel and against the retaining wall was a small flotilla of boats, including the sailor who had just left his slip.

I watched for a minute or two, trying to figure out what all the commotion was about because, in the distance, I could see that people on the boats were obviously communicating to one another and were readying lines. I figured someone must be having problems and the others were lending a hand.

After a couple of minutes, a small fishing boat started his way down the channel towards me and, lo and behold, he was towing the Seaward 25 that had just left the slip 15 minutes earlier.

I immediately went back to my boat and grabbed my boathook to assist in getting him back to his slip. As he approached the slip, I asked him, "What happened?", to which he replied, "The engine quit! <img src=icon_smile_angry.gif border=0 align=middle>".

After about 30 minutes of tinkering in his slip, the sailor found the problem...Clogged fuel filter!

He replaced the filter with an onboard spare and was off again within minutes, and as he was leaving I said to him, "Have a better sail this time! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>"

The moral of the story is change your fuel filter regularly and carry an onboard spare.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2003 : 14:00:26

I don't have one either....that way it won't clog......<img src=icon_smile_clown.gif border=0 align=middle>
OK, OK, I'll put one in and buy a spare.
Don, did you like my throw pillows? (250 forum/"Aint it pretty")

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake:
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/chesapeake.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - Oscar on 06/14/2003 14:05:28

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2003 : 14:16:47

Update ... 'just got back from West Marine ... I picked up one with a paper filter in it. The outside casing is clear, so I'm hoping I'll be able to see the crud as it builds up inside.

I like Don's suggestion to carry a spare ... I didn't buy two because I'm not sure the one I've got will fit my fuel line ... 'have to try it first.

Well, I'm off to the boat ... thanks for the help, and I hope everyone has a good weekend and a GREAT Father's Day!

Buzz Maring
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2003 : 19:18:19

After reading this thread I went out into the driveway to discover that the 9.9 Honda does indeed have a fuel filter, but to replace it at sea would be a drag. It's small, hard to get to from the front of the engine, and is installed with little clips that go "plop" when you drop them overboard....<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> The easy way to get to it is to remove the top cover and the starboard side clamshell, while standing nect to the motor. Of course this is not going to happen in rolling seas......

So, I'm still going to install an in-line filter by the fueltank where I can easily get to it. Redundancy is good.

On a side note, it's a good thing I checked. Right inside around the corner of the air inlet, out of sight, but the same area where you stick your fingers to pull the motor out of the water there was the initial stages of a hornets nest.....that could have gotten interesting! <img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake:
<img src="http://www.woodenshoemusic.com/Images/familypics/Forumshots/chesapeake.jpg" border=0>

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2003 : 20:44:02

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Don, did you like my throw pillows? (250 forum/"Aint it pretty")<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Yes, Oscar...the throw pillows look cool! <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle> It appears that you guys over on the 250 forum are really good at interior design.

I must say your curtain rod design has given me some ideas for my curtainless boat. Thanks.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/15/2003 : 08:31:47

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The subject of fuel filters keeps coming up, ... What kind is best?<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>The best is probably a permanently mounted Racor with replacable filter element cartridge and transparent sediment bowl. That's what I eventually ended up installing. A pretty good, and much cheaper and easier, alternative is the cylindrical clear bodied filters about the size of a 'D'-cell battery. I prefer the ones with the glass tube body and reusable element. If you find that one fills up too fast with condensation, it's possible to use two in series. Remember to carry spares, and the tools to install them out on the water.

-- Leon Sisson

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