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Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

C

CZSteve

New member
Should I add a canister style fuel filter / water separator to our 1997 90hp outboard on our pontoon w/ an internal tank?
We've been fine all these years without but can't help but wonder if it's something I should add.

I did read a thread where supposedly someone thought they lost some top end power as a result restricted fuel flow after adding a filter.

Yes or no on adding?
If yes, filter up stream or down stream of the primer bulb?
(I'm assuming downstream of the bulb so you pushing the fuel thru the filter)

Thanks,
Steve​
 
Speaking from experience i say yes....i added it with a 4 cycle 60 merc with no difference in the top end...it caught a lot of crap after the boat set for a long time and ethanol disintegrated plus water...it goes down stream..the last thing before the motor...if you have any external filter in the line take it out....you should end up with the water filter and the internal filter only...
 
If you do add a water separator, be sure it is minimally restrictive. The fuel pumps on OBs are notoriously weak at sucking fuel through a restriction.

Jeff
 
Follow-up Question:
Does the Force outboard only have the in-line 1/4" fuel filter standard or is there another internal fuel filter I should change / clean?
I also discovered the previous 'mechanic' @ the marina installed the in-line filter backwards when we had to use him because of time constraints...

1. Should I just omit the standard in-line fuel filter if I'm adding the canister style in order to address any added restriction concern?
2. If best to keep the in-line in addition to the canister - OK to go with a regular NAPA fuel filter as opposed to the narrow white one that looks just like the oil filter we use on the 2-stroke SeaDoo?
3. Replace only the in-line and forget about adding the canister?

Here's the canister filter I picked up from Academy:
http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/store ... er&Ntk=All

This is what I'm calling a standard in-line fuel filter:
http://filterspro.com/detail.cfm?part=1102042

Current Fuel Filter:
http://www.iboats.com/Inline-Fuel-Filte ... _id.171720

IMAG1256.jpg
 
you want only one external filter...leave the internal one in there...dont do away with anything under the cowl...there seems to be some disagreement in here on whether its ok to use a canister type water filter..i am a believer in them..just dont go to an auto store and pick one up though...you want one from a marine dealer or west marine etc...i also dont worry about fuel pump pressure if it is operating properly...if a engine will suck a primer bulb flat then the engine will get enough gas and oil..
 
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