Should I install a fuel filter

[Wal555]

Merry christmas all,

I have a new engine with only 11 hours on the clock and am keen to preserve it as best I can. I read a couple of nights ago that a water seperating fuel filter reduces problems with 3 cycl 3 carbie models - like mine. Even though there is a fuel filter inside the engine cowling, do you think I should install an external one in the fuel line.

Cheers to all.

Wal.

[Kerry]

Yes you certainly should as the engine filter should not be relied upon.

More important it should be a water separator/filter not just a fuel filter.

Fit one sooner than latter.

Regards, Kerry.

[saurian]

Wal , I would fit one asap.
A major cause of " help" in trailer boats is bad fuel , not just water in
the fuel, bits from the jerry can you used to fill up etc... getting stuck in outboards fuel system. I'm no mechanic especially out on the water.
Just be careful what type you fit as some do not like 2 stroke oil
mixed with fuel going into filter.
Ta.

[FNQCairns]

Yes like Kerry says, I have a 3cyl that I will be doing the same, I will also remove the cowling filter altogether.

cheers fnq

PS if you choose you can use a CAV for this application and laugh all the way to the bank both on purchase price with well under $10 element replacements.

PPS Saurian, the oil being filtered out is an old fisher wives tale, the oil is in solution, it #will not in any way be filtered out by any fuel filter outside of ones used in laboratorys etc, a good analagy would be driving an oil molecule truck under the sydney harbour bridge.
The fuel filters will only filter out solids at around the 9 micron size (quite large)with a few in the 5 or 6 micron size overtime, to caputure an oil molecule it would need to go sub micron so would almost stop the fuel molecules as well.

cheers

[Roughasguts]

Yup get a Racor, water seperator fuel filter, They have a clear bowl at the bottom you can see and drain the water from.

And you will get plenty in a boat so get one, they also work as I have never seen crud in my small filter screen under the cowl.

Bit pricey Over a hundred bucks, but that ain't nuthen, compared to what a lean out will cost.

[Roughasguts]

Hold the phone 10 bucks a filter, that be better than Racor just under a hundred bucks a filter, If you can get it off.

[saurian]

Wal , looks something like this..
Ta.

[Kerry]

Saurian, There's been quite a bit of discussion on this in the past but a HDF296 is a diesel filter with a micron size less than desirable for running outboards as well as a low fuel flow (45L/h)capacity.

Most outboards of any size, including 4S's will want more than 45L/h at certain revs.

I believe there is Delphi filter element made to fit the 296 head that is more outboard friendly.

Regards, Kerry.

[saurian]

Learn't something else today.
Outboards don't use more than 35 litres/hr.
Will try to replace with said ones next time.
Havn't had a drama yet though, micron size is it to small or to big ???
Ta.

[Roughasguts]

Learn't something else today.
Outboards don't use more than 35 litres/hr.
Will try to replace with said ones next time.
Havn't had a drama yet though, micron size is it to small or to big ???
Ta.

Oh mine would.............. Much more even at 4200 Rpm, for a hour I would have chewed around 42 litres, and I'm under 100 Hp.

[saurian]

Roughasguts , I've got 2 of the damn things can't afford to give it to
Her to often.
Use about 22/27 litres at 4200 rpm , doing 22/25 knots. Depending on
sea conditions
Maybe I have a fuel saving device, inability to flow.
But the correct filter element sounds like the go .
Ta.

[Roughasguts]

Mate thats bloody good getting over 1 statute mile, per litre of fuel used.

Mine on average is 1 Litre per 1 statute mile.
And it's only a 3 cyl 85 Hp Suzuki 95 Model.

[saurian]

Roughasguts , Ok my normal trip is 260 km return. At 4200 revs/5100 revs
I use 240/280 litres .
I have 2 - 90 mercs.
1 motor uses 120/140 litres per trip.
Ta.

[saurian]

I thought they where crap fuel figures.
Anyway I'm smiling now , thanks roughasguts.
See fit diesel filters and save money ... lol..lol...
Borger gets right up on the last bit of her hulls , maybe thats why ..??
Ta.

[Roughasguts]

Saurian, bloody hell you go out wide, do you take your pass port with you?.

Think I wouldn't be that comfortable out that far in me boat.
What if I run out of beer, or smokes it's long trip to the bottl'o.

[saurian]

Don't seem to drink more than 6 beers a trip .
Hey i have fun but.
Natural hi on reefies.
Reef is 70 nm off mackay.
Spare packets of smokes get stached everwhere, that would be painful.
We only go when the weather is Good, too far.
Anyway if your up this way and weather willing pm for sure.
Ta.

[Roughasguts]

Saurian, nice offer will keep that in mind for sure thanks.

[Geoff_Atkinson]

No!

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Let your motor break down due to dirty fuel. let the Coast Guard tow you in after your day on the water, that is what they are there for!!!

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You also save fuel on the trip back in.

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Cheers

Geoff

[Deiter]

Hey Saurian, what are those Merc's pushing and how old are they? Doen't sound like bad figures for 2 bangers.
My 90hp vro Johnno drinks about 70L for a 100km trip cruising on about 4100 - 4200, 24knts. I am hoping to halve that with a 115 Yammy 4st, just waiting for the call to say the donk has arrived. "I'm excited!!!"

Damo

[Deiter]

ha ha, and yes, spare smokes, papers, lighters etc are part of the safety gear,
coz you don't wanna be on board if i run out ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Kerry]

Havn't had a drama yet though, micron size is it to small or to big ???

Diesel filter micron size is generally too small. The theory that small micron filters can filter oil out of premix is a bit of a myth but it does restrict the fuel flow.


Outboards don't use more than 35 litres/hr.
Your's might not but a 90 2S would and any 4S in the 150HP plus range would also.

However have seen a pair of 200 suzzies pushing over 100 litres an hour (EACH) through 296 filters so maybe the rated 45L/h has a safety margin?

Regards, Kerry.

[saurian]

Thanks Kerry about filters, I have 2 by 90 2 strokers.
It is propped to get economy not outright speed.
I went from 19 pitch to 17 pitch.
Revs out too much if you up her ( only just) but at cruise revs she
is just ripping those props through the water so easily.
My boat is a planing cat as such.(borger)
Once you get her up she lifts right up and planes on the last 1/2 m
of the hulls. Think this helps in the fuel stakes as well.
But she waddles a bit , walks around or whatever it's called.
I just let it waddle as I call it. If i put 90 hp 4 strokers on it I think I
would get around 12/16 lt per/hr out of carbed hondas at 4200 rpm.
I'll let you know in a few years when I get a cheap set.
Ta.

[Kerry]

....It is propped to get economy not outright speed.
I went from 19 pitch to 17 pitch.
Revs out too much if you up her ( only just) but at cruise revs she
is just ripping those props through the water so easily.

Sounds all good 8-)

[Ron173]

Supercheap are selling ryco fuel filter/water seperators at $60 just now, they look fine, and filter replacements are $8

Ron

[saurian]

Deiter , it's a borger cat.
6.4 , 7 , 7.3 m depending on how you measure it.
I call it 6.4 m everyone else says it bigger.
Ta

[leezor]

Saurian, this is totally unrelated but just got in from a Christams beer drinking session and was talking to a bloke who used to build Borger Cats in Ingham.

[Deiter]

mmmmm pussy. Saurian, i am currently toying the idea of getting a cat - can't beat 'em IMO. that does look like a fair lump of a boat, its alloy i take it, knowing nothing about borgers. ;)

Can i come for a ride too? ;D ;D Purely for research you understand :-X :)

Damo

[Kerry]

Can I add I don't go much on "little" alloy Cats, "big" alloy cats I can handle, "little" ones way too much welding to :-X get any shape.

Regards, Kerry.

[Wal555]

Thanks for that guy's, I will check out what supercheap have to offer and if it is for marine applications that may be the way to go otherwise down to the local dealer.

Cheers

Wal.