Thread: Fuel/Water Question

If I install a Oil Filter type Fuel Water separator between the gas tank and engine do I still need the small inline fuel filter on the engine? Also what side of the bulb should I put the separator on ? I should have done this a long time ago. The 10% ethanol blend you get at the pumps now isn't doing so good with my carburetors. Anyone tried the new green Stabil fuel stabilizer? It is supposed to be made for ethanol.

I was just reading about this in another forum. The stabilizers aren't doing as well as they are suppose to from I hear, make double sure you do good research. As for the water I'd first address why you have it cause realistically your filter should do the job.

Install the seperator between the tank and bulb. I left the small filter on my engine and have not had any problems with it.

Originally Posted by backtocrappie

I was just reading about this in another forum. The stabilizers aren't doing as well as they are suppose to from I hear, make double sure you do good research. As for the water I'd first address why you have it cause realistically your filter should do the job.

Mind if I ask what forum you found this on? I did a few searches but didn't turn up much. From what I have read the ethanol in the fuel now causes excessive condensation in the tank. That coupled with the fact that I haven't been using the big engine as much with gas prices the way they are has led to some nasty fuel in my tank. It started fine the other day but then died as soon as the engine warmed. Started right back up but died again shortly after. I took off the bottom carb and the gas was yellowish and bubbly. Checked the other two carbs and they looked the same. I didn't see any varnish in them so I drained the tank and am going to put on the separator and hopefully that will be it.

Originally Posted by fishman78

Mind if I ask what forum you found this on? I did a few searches but didn't turn up much. From what I have read the ethanol in the fuel now causes excessive condensation in the tank. That coupled with the fact that I haven't been using the big engine as much with gas prices the way they are has led to some nasty fuel in my tank. It started fine the other day but then died as soon as the engine warmed. Started right back up but died again shortly after. I took off the bottom carb and the gas was yellowish and bubbly. Checked the other two carbs and they looked the same. I didn't see any varnish in them so I drained the tank and am going to put on the separator and hopefully that will be it.

How old is your tank? I had the same basic problem last year. Tore down and cleaned the carb 3 times. The dealer where I bought my outboard suggested the fuel/water filter and replace the old tank. I went ahead and put in new fuel lines while I was at it. Haven't had the problem since.
They said the ethanol will dissolve any built up gunk or sludge in the tank/lines and it goes straight to your carb. The standard in line filter isn't fine enough to catch it.

Its an 11 gallon plastic tank. Bought it new in 1998.

A fuel/water seperator is a must with todays gasoline. There are a lot of companies coming out with all kinds of miracle cures and some may be good and some not. I do know that Sea Foam and Sta-bil are proven products. So far I haven't seen anything to contradict this and I participate regularly in a couple large outboard repair forums.

To give an example, when I first got the boat I now have, I installed a 10 micron fuel/water filter. The first filter didn't last a day before it was clogged up. The second and third each lasted a little longer. I must have got most of the "trash" out of the tank as I haven't had to change the filter recently. The boat came from Ga where at the time they didn't have ethanol yet.

Although I don't have one, I highly recommend using Racor's filters that have the clear bottom and you can drain it. They are more expensive at first but then my filters cost about $12 a shot.

place a few drops (half tea spoon)of fuel on an old plate and light it off.
Listen, if it pops at the end it has to much water in it. When it goes out look at the plate may see tars left behind that did not burn, Hmmmmmmmm what does that do to your motor?? Try this test with new gas stright from the station, it can be the gas station. Beleive it or not I have always found the off brand gas has less stuff in it, like Hess, burns clean. Also found the newer stations had cleaner gas.
If you have small motor and it is a 4 stroke, it is easy to always use new gas. just dump the old gas right into the truck and refill the tank. No need to let it sit around.

Fishman, I think it was **************. However it's not uncommon for me to hit 15 forums in 20 minutes looking for info. But it was a similar conversation about ethanol jackin up motors with corrosion. However engines are engines, and if this is the case I'd think the automotive industry would leap on it and we would see tons of adds on TV about how our engines are going to go to pot. I'd say dehydrate the whole system and find out where the water came from.

My in line fuel filter looks like an oil filter on a car. I've had no problems so I haven't changed it. I did loosen it once and was going to replace it, but the gas came flowing out so I just tightened it back up.
Will the gas keep flowing out while I take the old one off and install the new one? It's going to make a mess in the boat.