Fuel/Water separator system advise...pls

[EZZ70]

Looking for advice on a good gasoline/water separating system to service both F300 and 9.9 motors? I have seen single and double canister systems.... what micron is commonly used for outboards?

 

[fish brain]

7702_BRO_Marine_Gas_Filters.pdf
Just get one of these and you will be fine. Mine does both my main and kicker

 

[fish brain]

Sorry I'm not sure why the link came up three times

 

[gungadin]

Carburettor outboards (all but the smallest ones) can use a 21 micron filter
Fuel injected and small outboards should use a 10 micron filter.

 

[Buckethead905]

10 micron Racor filters have been good for me. You can get the clear bowl that fits on the bottom which has a drain built in.

 

[Prfisher]

I think the clear bottom is essential in a marine environment. Had a standard Sierra spin-on the first season & it drove me nuts, not being able to see the fuel. The kit wasn’t expensive & I have my peace of mind back.

 

[casper5280]

Clear bowls are for outboards only. Steel/aluminum bowls for inboard/outboards only. In case of fire you don't want a plastic bowl in your engine compartment.

 

[ab1752]

Ours is the typical Volvo Penta spin on aluminum style so every 50 or so hours I spin it off, dump the contents into a clear jar so I can see what's up and replace the filter as needed. I only purchase fuel from 2 locations, both well known in our area and there was quite a bit of guck in there when I pulled it off last weekend. Reminds me I have to watch it more closely as I skipped the mid summer inspection.

 

[sly_karma]

IMO don't have your kicker running from main tank. Separate tanks and filters in case fuel contamination or line issues takes out your main. I use a 3 gallon portable for the kicker and dump it into the main tank every so often, fill up again with fresh fuel.

 

[searun]

I've been running racor for last 20 years on my guide boats with zero issues. You can as others pointed out run a secondary line for your kicker. Not sure I would worry much about fuel contamination. The filter and water separator will deal with most issues unless you have a serious water in fuel issue. These are so rare, that the risk of fire or spillage from a secondary portable tank is hardly worth the worry.

 

[Rockfish]

I've been running racor for last 20 years on my guide boats with zero issues. You can as others pointed out run a secondary line for your kicker. Not sure I would worry much about fuel contamination. The filter and water separator will deal with most issues unless you have a serious water in fuel issue. These are so rare, that the risk of fire or spillage from a secondary portable tank is hardly worth the worry.

The same set up as ours. One replaced below deck keel line large Al tank and two complete supply systems from the duel pickups through bronze fuel cut off valves, hoses, Racors (filters/water separators) for each fuel line etc. One for the main outboard and one for the kicker. Very reliable and problem free system.

 

[wolf]

Same with my boat always watch the bowls and REPLACE . don not empty it out and think ok good enough once the paper is contaminated with water the filter is toast filters are cheap engines are not ... go with a trusted and proven racor system do not cheap out on some things ....

 

[mbowers]

My advice is to use some 1/2 to 3/4 in starboard as spacers when mounting the head unit. That way you can actually get your fingers around the filter when changing it. Stupid boat builder in my case mounted the head against a curved bulkhead and even cross threaded the filter. That was a ***** to remove.

Also use straight fittings only as 90deg fittings add pressure loss you don't need to the fuel system especially with a big outboard.

Use the proper thread sealant and don't use the crappy galvanized fittings that are probably included with the filter. Buy brass or stainless.

https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=563

 

[Birdsnest]

I have always used a raycor fuel filtering and water separation units however my bowl is not in plain view. In the case of a major water contamination event,( which has happed to me twice, one where I left the fuel cap off in rough seas and the other time new fuel vents I installed allowed water into the tank in rough sees, ) my water alarm in the motor went off. In one case it was too late. Main died. The fuel line were solid water. The kicker lasted about 7 mins then died even after drain the bowl.

for this reason I moved my water alarm from the motor to the raycor which give far advanced notice ensuring no water get in the fuel lines.
This is a mercury product available for about $300. Not sure if this would be available for other make and models.

So glad a made this change to my fuel system especially doing tuna trips and all.