Fuel/Water Separator

Paddler · 09-18-2005, 07:07 PM

I'm buying a new Hewescraft 200 Sea Runeer w/Mercury 115HP EFI 4S. I'll use it for about 1-2 weeks/year on the coast during the summer, the rest of the time here in Utah. Does anyone know if it's worth adding the $129 fuel/water separator (Racor) to the boat? I've never had a problem with my current boat, and don't want any in the future. But I'd rather not spend the money if I don't need to. Also, are these difficult to add after the fact?

TyBoo · 09-18-2005, 07:47 PM

They are pretty easy to add after the fact, and a durn sight less than $129. Just make sure you put it in the line before the squeeze bulb, so it sucks through rather than being pressurized. You want the type with the see-thru bowl on the bottom of the filter cartridge so you can check for and drain out any water before it causes trouble. You do want one, too. It will make the little filter under the cowl last a whole bunch longer.

TyBoo · 09-18-2005, 08:10 PM

Here's the guy I use (actually I have two of them). It is a 60 gph filter, and way bigger than I need, but I like having the extra capacity so the element only needs to be changed once a year. They make much smaller versions. You can get it from this place online for $48.15, and at a local marine store for probably not much more. Throw in another five bucks for fittings and fasteners, and you are still less than half what you are looking at.

Paddler · 09-18-2005, 08:51 PM

Thanks, Mike. I like the peace of mind it gives, but $129 seemed like a lot of money. Did you mount yours to a bulkhead?

TyBoo · 09-18-2005, 09:20 PM

I mounted mine under the starboard gunnel on an aluminum bracket (it's a C-Dory with a lot of space there).

You can mount it to a bulkhead or any place close to the system that has a vertical or near vertical spot to hang it. Just make sure you leave enough room to get a small container underneath it for draining the crud and for changing the cartridge. Having them out in the open so you can see it and service it easily is nice, but some folks like them out of sight. Besides being cheaper, another big plus of putting it in yourself is the ability to put it wherever it works best for you.

Draggin' Bait · 09-18-2005, 10:28 PM

I think a fuel/water separator is cheap insurance. What if your fuel spout ever accidentally pops open in a rain squall? What if you get a bit of bad gas? They are not hard to install yourself, no need to pay a mechanic. Larry

threexkc · 09-19-2005, 07:28 AM

Good insurance against water in fuel problems. I installed one on my 2004 Searunner on the inside of transom. I used a Quicksilver, their inexpensive and easy to find cheap replacement filters.Its an easy do it yourself install.

garyk · 09-19-2005, 02:53 PM

Tyboo's got it right.

I had my Searunner outfitted with fuel/water separator at purchase. It takes the solid cartridges though (QuickSilver) and I wish I'd known about the Racor style at that time - I would have gone with it instead.

Be careful not to torque down on the cartridge. At least with mine, I only hand tighten snugly, but when I change it a year or so later, it takes a lot of leverage to remove. The filter's gasket really sticks to the unit's base.

As yet un-named · 09-21-2005, 08:26 AM

Anyone know if the Racor type cartridge shown in the pic will work on a quicksilver base (which I currently have)? It'd be nice to be able to see if there's water in there instead of having to rely on the semi-annual filter change to take care of it.

Boat Doc' · 09-21-2005, 09:02 AM

Racor does make one that will go onto the Quicksilver base. If you have trouble finding one try Oil Filter Service in Portland.

Paddler · 09-21-2005, 09:24 AM

So what's the hot set up, Boat Doc? I will only use the boat a few times per year in salt water, so changing the filter each year should be sufficient to keep water out of the EFI. This has never been an issue with my current boat. I don't necessarily need a see-through filter, and can't see spending $25 as opposed to $6 for a filter, all other things being equal. Are the Racor any more efficient than other types? Is the Racor base plastic or aluminum?

ICHTHYDEMON · 09-21-2005, 10:45 AM

I use the filters that look and install like an oil filter. I wanted to go with the style that lets you drain the water from the bowl,but my space is limited,and they wouldn't fit.

The first time I changed the filter,I dumped the contents into a plastic bag to see what it had caught. I was amazed at all the water and junk that was in the filter.

I'm changing the filters 2X a year know.

tomictime · 09-21-2005, 07:15 PM

racor :smile:

one for the main, one for the kicker, spare filters also. Great advice on clearance under for change.

Also consider if it is exposed to possible damage - getting the metal bowl -- impossible to see thru but bullet proof - well almost

JD

Boat Doc' · 09-22-2005, 07:56 AM

The hot set up would be the Racor with the plastic base that has a petcock on the bottom for easy draining of water/debris. They are available to fit on the Merc housing so you don't have to buy a complete kit. If you know your tanks are clean then you can get by just changing a standard filter annually. Make sure you dump it out to see whats in it. If it's dirty or has water in it you will want to change it more often.

wetaline · 09-22-2005, 10:34 AM

Tanks can also get condensation - water doesn't just come from the sea ... which the filters protect against as well.