Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: fuel/water seperator
Posted by SeaLevel on 03/11/10 - 5:32 AM
#1
Hi guys, I got a Sierra, fuel/water seperator filter for my 94 Merc 90 HP outboard. A friend of mine who has spent most of his life on the water saw it in the box of parts and recommended that I return it and get one with a stainless steel housing. He then proceeded to tell me horror stories of filters that practically disintegrated from exposure to ethanol. He did say that they were die cast zinc housings. Upon closer inspection I see that the Sierra has an aluminum housing. Has anyone had a problem with an aluminum housing on a fuel/water seperator???
Posted by tedious on 03/11/10 - 6:41 AM
#2
You can find a lot of information about ethanol, phase separation, and corrosion with a mixture sitting in aluminum tanks, but that's a different situation than fuel flowing through a filter. If you're in salt water, you'll find that the aluminum will corrode from the outside, so stainless is better, but I would not sweat the ethanol thing.
Tim
Posted by Bake on 03/11/10 - 7:56 AM
#3
Being on the coast I have heard of those housing's being eat up from the outside due to salt water exposure, but not from the gas. Even in salt water It takes quite a number of years to get to the point it will fail.
Posted by Guts on 03/11/10 - 8:24 AM
#4
I have a aluminum Racor® on my boat for over ten years and it looks as good as the day i put it on, if the powder coat gets chipped that might be a different thing. SS would be better but not necessary.
Posted by SeaLevel on 03/11/10 - 8:29 AM
#5
Thanks for the info guys, The Sierra is powdercoated on the outside and has an epoxy finish on the inside. I use the boat about 95% of the time in fresh water. I replaced the old fuel line through the tunnel with the new, Coast Guard approved, monster size fuel hose. The boat had no external fuel filter at all other than the one on the motor. My guy at the marina recommended the installation of the fuel/water seperator due to the ethanol. I'm just wondering if the stainless steel is really worth the extra expense.
Posted by Guts on 03/11/10 - 10:16 AM
#6
SeaLevel wrote:I'm just wondering if the stainless steel is really worth the extra expense.
not in my opinion
Posted by Terp on 06/08/10 - 5:26 PM
#7
Any opinions on the "best" fuel/water filter and housing manufacturer?