Was thinking about having some spare fuel filters on board... but

[MrMoose]

Something that was mentioned in one of the Exuma posts from last year has had me thinking. It was mentioned that when the fuel dock tanks are filled, they have to settle for a day or so before fuel can be sold. This got me wondering about the possibility of getting some bad fuel while in Bimini or Cat Cay, or anywhere for that matter.
So, I thought it would be a good idea to have a spare fuel filter on board. With some help from @Bennie and my dealership, it turns out that this wouldn't really be an option for my 2015 AR240 because it only has one fuel filter that is located in the tank, below the fuel pump. It doesn't seem like an item that could be easily serviced while in the open water. My dealer said that they only ever look at the fuel filter if they suspect low pressure in the fuel lines; otherwise, it's never touched.
Based on this, it sounds like a low probability for failure.

 

[Scuba_ref]

I put a fuel filter in-line between the gas tank and the engine so that I never have to worry about water or other particulate matter getting to the engine. I did this after having a summer with multiple instances of bad fuel haven't had a problem since.

 

[newbote]

This got me thinking - I have always had a fuel water separator on the two outboard boats I have owned that I changed annually. Why don't you see fuel water separators on these Yamahas?

 

[Bruce]

I am not aware of any Yamaha boat model that has a filter beyond those in the fuel tank.

 

[newbote]

It seems you rarely here on this forum issues with water in the fuel on these boats (at least on this forum) - its pretty common with outboards thus the reason most will have fuel/water separators. They are not expensive to add I am just curious what the difference is.

 

[Scuba_ref]

This is the one you need for our boats. Rated for high pressure can go on either side of the fuel pump and can be installed in a closed engine compartment.

http://ph.parker.com/us/17583/en/high-pressure-fuel-filters-water-separator

 

[2nazt]

I believe the issue is most of the outboard boats have tanks over 100 gallons and they are usually stored at a marina or in the water, uncovered, ran offshore and see bad conditions with water hitting the fuel filler more often.

 

[Bennie]

I completely agree @2nazt on the constant offshore abuse.
What @MrMoose was referring to (I believe) was more in the line of dirty fuel - ie sediment. In case something did get past the oem filter he would like a second or backup filter.

I suggested an inline filter. One that could be easily changed if need be. That being said does any one know of a way to install a filter upstream of the tank? I believe we can all agree that a preventive filtration system is the goal here. Not just a follow up to each engine (though not a bad idea).

@Bruce - any idea how we could retrofit in a filter on the upstream side?

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce - any idea how we could retrofit in a filter on the upstream side?

The factory filter is in the fuel tank before the pump. I do not believe that you could add a filter before it. Some have added fuel / water separators and filters between the pump and the engines. Personally I believe that if they were needed Yamaha would have added them or we would be reading more posts about fuel issues.

 

[2nazt]

There is no upstream of the tank besides the filler hose and any filtering at that point would be be hard to do. Either slowing down pump speed or possible fuel spillage. @Scuba_ref has the right idea to me though simple and effective.

 

[PEARCE]

I can't help but think that there is some sort of filter that can be put at or in the filler neck. I'm learning from this thread where our filters for these boats actually are. In a sharp contrast our Sea Ray has at least three fuel filters with water separaters. Thankfully they're easy to get and cheap at Walmart.

 

[Papa]

When I bought my boat in 2008 I had issues with fuel contamination. E10 separation/moisture. Had to re-plumb the whole fuel system and have injectors cleaned. Also had to have 30 or so gallons pumped. When I put it back together I installed new lines for E10 fuel and added in-line filters in the engine compartment on both walls, left and right. You need filters housings rated for enclosed engine compartment. Can't be the plastic bowl style. I keep two filters on board and also change them when I do oil and plug change. Have had no issues since then. Also I use marine stabil in every gallon of fuel that goes in my tank.

 

[McMark]

Pour the fuel through a chamois into a funnel. Removes water and particulates.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

This got me thinking - I have always had a fuel water separator on the two outboard boats I have owned that I changed annually. Why don't you see fuel water separators on these Yamahas?

It's all about cost savings. Generally, you dont see water separators on pleasure boats the same as you dont see 8 speaker stereos on a fishing boat.

 

[Patrick L]

Racor makes a Fuel Filter/Water separator - Model 110A. (35 GPH Flow Rate, 10 Micron Filtration, 100 PSI). You would need 1 for each engine. With all the problems with Ethanol fuel I am really surprised the only filter is in the tank and before the fuel pump.

Island Racing has them, but do a search they can be found for much less.