When should you replace the VST filter in a 4 stroke EFI outboard?

[byron.akhavi@gmail.com]

I have a question for the experienced members here. I have a 2019 Yamaha F40LA outboard and need some advice on the time to change the VST filter. I have heard every 3 years and also do not bother. I always use pure gas and new fuel every season. The gas is always treated with Yamaha Fuel Treatment and Ring Free. This is a job that I will most likely take to the dealer. What do think is the best course of action? Regularly every 3 years or leave it alone if there are no issues running the motor?

[99yam40]

your owners manual should have a recommendation on how often to check/clean, or replace.
have you looked at that?

[fairdeal]

Since you are using fresh, quality fuel, stabilized & treated,
its unlikely that you are accumulating significant schmutz to clog the filter;

if you want to,
drain the VST, capturing what comes out
& you'll get an idea what may be on the filter

it should be similar to this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj9IAvk1rWo


In any case, you are not going to "hurt the engine" by deferring attention to the VST filter
whether to address it "proactively" or wait for engine performance to be affected
is your decision to make
based on your tolerance for possible inconvenience;

worst case,
eventually the engine will lose top end power
due to the filter being plugged,
and then you'll have to address it,
which might involve a delay waiting for the dealer.

[DennisG01]

I'll ditto what the honest card player said and raise the following... if you also have an engine mounted pre-filter and/or one on the boat it's even LESS of an issue since those other filters are helping to protect the VST filter. I haven't changed my VST filter in at least 5 years - but I do occasionally check the fuel by draining some fuel out of the VST tank. I did remove the tank and check the filter 5 years ago - and again the next year - everything was clean so I stopped doing that. If start to see any issues in the drained fuel, then I'll go ahead and remove/check/clean the VST filter.

[pstephens46]

I dug into my motor awhile back, when it was 9 years old. 16 years old now. The VST screen was slightly discolored. No debris. If you are using good fuel as you stated with regular use, I wouldn’t bother to disassemble.

if you decide to go digging, buy a replacement gasket for the tank. It is a wicked little pain in the a.. Easy to stretch and create issues.

[byron.akhavi@gmail.com]

Thanks for the replies. I use the fuel drain as a check. Appreciate your help. The manual says every 3 years. It also says 100 hours and I am nowhere near that.

[oldmako69]

Never unless it's falling apart for some reason. On the F225 engines, it's a small screen (like 3/8 inch across small) embedded in hard plastic. All you need to do is shoot it with Carb cleaner or something similar to dislodge anything that might be clogging it and then re-install. I have to assume it's similar on most of these engines.