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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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thanks Scrapper... you sold me for sure.
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
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.
X2 just a little added insurance to keep the engine running smooth.
I just bought a boat with a separator on it and have never used one. How often should you change the filter?
I change mine once a year.
I would run one regaurdless. Condensation build up on a tank is enough to cause damage.
Racor makes a good system, although more than what you're gonna pay from Walmart, they have one available with a clear bottom. This allows you to see the water as it settles to the bottom.
The clear bottoms are for outboard powered boats only. You shouldn't use one with an inboard or an outdrive.
Be sure to mount it high enough so you can get under it and drain it. The drain on the Racor is self venting, meaning you don't have to open the drain, then break the element free to vent some air into it so it will drain.
Living in the south is prime country for condensation in a fuel tank.
I use both Stabil and a water seperator, It's a lot cheaper than having to have your motor repaired.
Greetings all,
I've been searching and have not found anyone speaking of the best brand of gasoline to use on a two stroke. Any suggestions? I had an Evinrude mechanic tell me not to use Shell because of the ethanol. Can we still but gas without ethanol?
Yes, you can, depending on where you live and where you buy the fuel.
The issue isn't simple. Gasoline blends are regulated not only by the feds, but also by the states. In some states, they are additionally regulated by the counties.
Some states require a label on the pump for amounts as low as 1.5%, other states do not require a label at all.
We can't tell you to buy a particular brand, because it seems all brands are blending with ethanol to some extent. Its going to take some local research I'm afraid.
Same here.Quote:
Originally Posted by slimeyslab