Fuel Filter/Water Separator (Boat Problem)

rola76 · 02-23-2004, 09:42 AM

How often (in hours) do you guys change yours out? I've got a Weldcraft Renegade w/ a 4.3 Vortec, and got a pretty good scare on Saturday!!

As a couple of buddies and myself headed back to the launch, all of a sudden my boat makes some dreaded sound and then completely shuts off. Right at this point we're in about 2 feet of water, quickly approaching more shallows down river.

At first I thought I was out of gas, but then realized that's not even a possibility. To make a long story short, each time I fired it back up I could make about a 1/4 mile run then it'd do the same thing. I did this four times, and luckily was able to make it back to the launch, but not without a good scare.

Any ideas???? I'm thinking fuel filter, but I'm no pro.

Thanks in advance. :shocked:

sturgn · 02-23-2004, 09:47 AM

I bet your water seperator is full of water, not the filter plugged I have seen this before. I changed over to a filter that I could drain the water off of and that cured my problems.

garyk · 02-23-2004, 09:53 AM

I've got a much smaller main motor (Honda 90) so less fuel is used per hour of operation than with your Vortic 4.3

At my usage, I change the fuel/water filter each season or at 100/hours, whichever comes first.

I would also change it out if I got any questionable fuel.

At $10 and 30 minutes of my time, it's way cheap insurance.

rola76 · 02-23-2004, 10:22 AM

Thanks for the info guys!!

SandyRiverRon · 02-23-2004, 10:49 AM

Write the date installed in felt tip marker on filter...change in one year.

cannonball · 02-23-2004, 06:23 PM

What part of the yak were ya running??? Had the same thing happen this fall on the columbia. no scare just a long float down river

rola76 · 02-24-2004, 08:02 AM

The area around Granger. Quite a bit of fast/shallow water!!

Beerbelly · 02-24-2004, 08:16 AM

Mine did that same thing changed the filter the end of the problem.

rola76 · 02-24-2004, 08:36 AM

I'm on it!!

brdkdg · 02-24-2004, 03:42 PM

When you take the fuel filter/water separator off, pour the contents into a glass jar and check for water and other junk that might be in your tank.

02-24-2004, 03:50 PM

I like to use a Racor Diesel water separator/filter that has a draincock on the bottom (designed for diesel). These are not CG approved for gas but I like them better. I drain fuel out into a clear glass jar and inspect for water before running.

cannonball · 02-24-2004, 06:13 PM

Fun stuff, ive done the lower river to west richland, but never tried up there.

If you ever want a co pilot to pay half the gas id love a show me cruse.

better to learn new areas with someone in the know!!

Reel Fun Fish'n · 02-24-2004, 06:36 PM

Rola I run a 200hp with a pump. I change mine twice a year.. January, and July

Reel Fun Fish'n · 02-24-2004, 06:38 PM

Rola I run a 200hp with a pump. I change mine twice a year.. January, and July
Like the man said cheap insurance

rola76 · 02-25-2004, 07:39 AM

Cannonball,

Same here!! You ever catfish around that stretch? Sometimes when I'm bored, it's just fun to hit the river for a cruise

My next adventure, which I've done a lot in a drifter, is from the I-82 bridge to the Terrace Heights bridge...lots of sharp corners and rapids!!!

All else...thanks for the great advice.

blubeast · 02-25-2004, 09:29 AM

February issue of Trailer Boat Mag had a comparison of the various types of fuel/water filters. Compared water capture capabilities, filter costs,& install issues for each.

rola76 · 02-25-2004, 01:36 PM

Robert,

I haven't changed it yet...plan on taking care of that this weekend.

Also, instead of the Cow I think we're heading to the Sandy. Any other suggestions?

IFISH4U · 02-25-2004, 11:30 PM

Also, it doesnt take much effort to check, I check mine almost every trip, if it looks good and no water, your probably good to go, I replace every four months, but I also use my boat as much as my truck.

Bob Barthlow · 02-25-2004, 11:41 PM

Rola76, about 7-8 years ago a buddy and I put a sled in @ Sunrise Landing(I-82 bridge) and ran to about 1/2 mile below Roza dam.

The only part of this run that has changed from that time is between Sunrise Landing and Hwy 24 bridge, where the river in places has no main channel(3-4 side channels and some are blocked by logs) after the '96 flood.
Have fun and be safe.

...oh yah, did a new water seperator/fuel filter take care of your problem?

Skipper · 02-26-2004, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blubeast:
February issue of Trailer Boat Mag had a comparison of the various types of fuel/water filters..

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">I went looking for this on 2/25/04 at WinCo, but they didn't appear to carry it. Some other mags were already the march issue, so I may be too late.

I don't have a separator on the boat yet, and the info would be helpful in choosing the right one.

Cheerio'
Skipper