Fuel Filter ?

[Captain Dan]

The 1981 Johnson 115HP I just put on my pontoon boat quit running last Sunday.
last evening I made it out to Clinton to check it out and found it has good spark, but only will fire with starting fluid. Of course I did not keep it running with the either because I know how bad that is for 2 strokes.
So I started looking for the gas filter, IT HAS NONE, talking to Keith at Arnnie's Boat works found out it only has a screen on the fuel pump and it is probably plugged up. What was Johnson thinking about?
I'm looking at the possibility of adding an in line fuel filter with a sediment bowl, to check for water, in the fuel line near the gas tanks. Tractor Supply has one with Water Block absorbing filter that has a drain cock on the bottom.
Does any one else have a better idea to filter the gas and check for water in the system?
Thanks, Dan

[crappieslinger]

That is no fun! Hopefully you can get it cleaned out and get it running again. As for a filter and water separator, I like these.
Bass Pro Shops® Fuel Filter/Water Separator Kit | Bass Pro Shops

They are much easier to maintain/change than the inline filters plus they are much better filters in my opinion.

[Captain Dan]

I ended up buying this separator/filter at Tractor supply. Had to get fittings to go from 1" pipe threads to 5/16 barb for my gas line. Probably over sized but I have the room to mount it by my tanks and can see if any water is in my gas, plus a drain cock to drain any water out.
Dutton-Lainson® Goldenrod® 496 Water-Block Absorbing Fuel Filter - Tractor Supply Co.

[Captain Dan]

Update on my motor problems.
I got out to the lake early enough to install the new filter separator before Keith got there. I connected the gas line from the squeeze bulb to the inlet but left the outlet to the motor off. As I started to squeeze the bulb I observed the separator bowl filling up with clear liquid which I drained into a clear plastic bottle. I repeated this until I saw the pink fuel-oil mixture entering the bowl. The clear liquid is water, so I pumped the rest of the water out of the tank lowest locations. Totally I recovered 1/2 gallon of water from the tank, then purged the water out of the gas line going to the motor. I added a bottle of ISO-HEET to the contaminated tank.
Keith arrived and drained the water out of the float bowls on the carbs. The motor stated up after cranking for about 6 seconds. After Keith finish putting everything back together on the motor I test drove it on the lake, making tight left and right turns to swish the gas around in the tank and get any more water to the pick up tube.
I drained another 1/4 cup of water from the separator bowl, feeling satisfied that all the water has been removed.
The only 2 possible ways for the water in the tank is the 10 gallons of HY-VEE premium gas that I bought Labor day was contaminated or someone added the water to that tank. I'm thinking the HY-VEE gas was contaminated so I'll be watching the separator bowl every trip on the lake.