Water Separating Fuel Filter

[Poorsche]

Here are picture of the Water Separating Fuel Filters I just replaced -- I had gotten sloppy/careless and didn't follow Yamaha's maintenance schedule because of their location and I barley dodged a serious couple of bullets

The filters on my boat are mounted with bottom of the filters about 2" above the bilge and you need latex gloves a good wrench and good leverage to get them replaced

I'm coating the bottom of them with Fluid Film this time to make sure I get a repeat

BE CAREFUL and out thse on a short inspection list

[amahaork]

are you saying you replace it in spring?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

That filter looks at least 10 years old.. WAY past replacement.

Your lucky your boat didn't turn into fireworks.

IMO, replace that filter at least once a year or more if its that wet/ moist under there.

BTW, If I have ANY water, in the bilge, I leave the bilge pump cover off so it can dry out. If really wet, drop a small towel in there to soak the water up, then pull the towel out..

[Poorsche]

IT'S NOT 10 YEARS OLD BUT WAY PAST END OF USEFUL/SAFE LIFE. I DEFINITELY DODGED SOME BULLETS

We get enough rain here that the towel idea won't work - my problem is when we get heavy rains the salt water will get on the bottom of the filter can and the rust starts as soon as the paint breaks donw.

I just need to pay more attention to this issue. In defense the damage was only on the bottom and it wasn't at all visible until we got them out of the bilge..I did give them a quick inspection but obviously too quick..

I just added another picture - I'm mad at myself and embarrassed

Thankfully the fuel that came out of the filters was clean and no water or debris in it -- I put it in my riding lawnmower

I put a good layer of Fluid Film on the filter can to help slow down any future breakdown AND i'm going to change every 6 month i think here in FL - just cheap insurance.

[pstephens46]

I mentioned about moving the battery switch to a better location. I wonder if the water separator can be moved as well. I can't tell as I don't know what your boat looks like. Townsend has his mounted on transom. They can't hide there! Of course they will get wet there but they can be hosed off and dry as well.

[Poorsche]

I've looked at that several times and the only place would be outside the bilge on the stern somewhere -- I'll leave them where they are and just get religion

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I'm in SW Florida and we get our summertime afternoon monsoons as well.

You may want to invest in some Rustoleum paint and put a couple of coats on the filter before installing. That would extend the OUTSIDE life of that filter and is easy to do, especially when brand new..

My main separator filter MOUNT(below) is aluminum. Its been installed (Original) since 1997.

I did re-finish it ONCE since then (remove all corrosion and re-paint with rustoleum quite some time ago) and its held up very well. That's a 19 years old aluminum part, NOT a much, much newer filter.

**But agreed, at least keep a much closer eye on your filter. Even if you can't see it well, simply running your hand around/under it, you'll feel ANY ROUGHNESS/ rust, etc**..

[throrope]

Looks to me you replaced it just when needed. Good catch. Hmmm.... That reminds me