Opinions: Water/Fuel seperator

[JigFisher]

Is a water/fuel seperator really necessary? If change out fuel filters regularly & always add additive to fuel (e.g. "Stabil Marine") and keep tank near full all the time?
I've been trying to decide if I need to add one for months now.
(a 2008 TS18, 90HP Merc)

[lowe rider]

I put one on my boat last year after having water in my fuel. I think the water came
from a leaking gasket on the sending unit on my tank. The top of my plastic tank was
bowed down some and I suspect water stood on top of the tank and seeped past the
the gasket. I figured installing the seperator would be a good idea considering the
ethanol in todays fuel will absorb water.

[skintback]

i would think if you kept stabil mixed in you would not need a seperator. i guesss it wouldn't hurt. i haven't had any issues with my outboard and always use startron.

[JigFisher]

Thanks for the replies men. I believe I will. $60 or so and my labor would be a lot less than a blown motor.
Also, have ya'll been leaving the Eoh blend in tank for a couple months with no probs? I filled mine up mid Dec & have only burnt maybe 2 gallons. I've read it breaks down faster than Conv Gasoline but the Marine Stabil does advertise it helps prevent that. So just wondering if others do drain tanks after setting 2 or 3 months?
Thanks again.

[Scrapper]

Only way to go. I would not have a boat without it. Even products that remove water are not always complete. Condensation in the tanks from sitting and other sources can be caught. Most come standard on boat or already on engine. The old style fuel filters are just a mesh screen anyways...you get filtering ability with water separation. WILL help your engine last longer. Just cheap insurance...and you can get one with a housing for 35 or 40 at walmart. Works just fine and other filters will fit housing.

[Scrapper]

in ethanol its called phase separation...if I understand it correctly it is a breaking down of the fuel to its simpler forms. The result thats in the "bottom" of your tank is VERY harmful. If you use the "may contain 10% ethanol" I would be SURE to burn all of it or drain the fuel if its going to sit longer than 3 months. And from what I've read...a water separator nor additive will fix problem. If you can get around it don't run it.

[JigFisher]

Thanks Scrapper... you sold me for sure.

[striperking]

I run this filter on both my boats.One is a yamaha EFI ,have not had any problems,the other is a mercury carburater motor,had to rebuild carbs twice last year,then added fuelwater seperater filter andstabil marine formula and have not had any problems since then,with the fuel were getting now I would highly recomend adding one,I use the 10micron filters,they also help filter out trash from gas tanks also.Hope this helps

[slimeyslab]

I use both the water fuel seperator filter and Stabil. I have been very pleased. I have let my boat sit 3 months and with the Stabil and the filter I have had zero problems.

[CUZZIN]

X2 just a little added insurance to keep the engine running smooth.