Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

This one is pretty in depth, so if you have extensive knowledge in the area, I really need some help.

I realize that there is a recent post on the subject, but my needs are ‘special’ and I didn’t want to hijack that thread.
Since converting to Multiport Injection, I have been concerned about water possibly getting in my fuel and can’t seem to find the answers that I need.

Regular Fuel/Water separating fuel filters can’t be used for my application as my pump is IN the tank (like a car). The pump has the standard coarse mesh ‘sock’ on it as a pre-filter. Any filter I use has to flow a minimum of 30GPH AND be rated above 45PSI. At the moment, I have a tubular in-line 10micron filter but no water separator. It also is a pain in the patookus to change elements so I want to go to a spin-on type if possible in order to simplify filter changes.

Some of the things I don’t know much about:
1. I can only get non-oxy premium on the lake, which would be great except that the ethanol might actually work FOR me in this application. All of my system is rated for ethanol (10%) much like a car. Would an additive take the place of the ethanol in carrying the water thru the injectors and out the system?

2. I have read that the fuel pump in the tank will ‘emulsify’ any water in the bottom of the tank. Will this make the fuel water separating style filters ineffective?

3. Automotive filters do not say Fuel/Water separating on them. Is this because of the ethanol?

4. I have been to a number of filter manufacturer sites and can’t find a spin-on that Separates AND says Marine on it AND is pressure rated. Emails for answers are getting ignored.

5. Is my understanding of separation theory correct in that there are two methods? One basically being settling in a lower bowl and the other being some type of membrane that lets fuel through but not water?

I’m thinking that maybe I can run with additives for now (since there isn’t much season left up here) and then finalize my system this fall when I pull. I just don’t want to learn the hard way 40 miles from the nearest road.

Thoughts? Anyone? Bueller?

Check into RACOR fuel filter systems; they are the absolute best at water separation as they use a turbine shape devise that imparts a centrifugal motion into the fuel inside the housing that helps spin out the water and debris before passing it through a water grabbing coating on the filter media. I know for sure they have units rated to 25 PSI and they may have higher pressure ranges available.

Thanks T Cro.
Racor was one of the outfits that didn't reply to my email questions (about a week now). Perhaps I will try to hit them up on the phone.

1. All of my system is rated for ethanol (10%) much like a car. Would an additive take the place of the ethanol in carrying the water thru the injectors and out the system? Any time anyone has 100% gas available, they should buy it. My car is also Flex-Fuel rated, but it doesn't mean I'm going to run 85% crap mixture in it.

2. I have read that the fuel pump in the tank will ‘emulsify’ any water in the bottom of the tank. Will this make the fuel water separating style filters ineffective? At the minimum, they'll just give you a superior job of filtering. Best scenario is that they'll spin out any water in the system.

3. Automotive filters do not say Fuel/Water separating on them. Is this because of the ethanol? No, automotive filters are just filters, and they don't have any housing that spins out the water.

4. I have been to a number of filter manufacturer sites and can’t find a spin-on that Separates AND says Marine on it AND is pressure rated. Emails for answers are getting ignored. Filtration is extreme high tech, and I cannot comprehend all the technical info. I just buy the filter spec'd out and go about my day.

5. Is my understanding of separation theory correct in that there are two methods? One basically being settling in a lower bowl and the other being some type of membrane that lets fuel through but not water? Jack Daniels and medical companies use membrane filters to remove microscopic solids. You could run urine through one and drink it at the end. But they're not separators for water and gasoline. (My best friend sold membrane filters.)

Thanks Bama,
I finally spoke at length with a knowledgeable Racor tech today. Some of the things I learned:
They do have a filter that mostly meets my specs (including Marine rating). I just need to calculate my max flow rate in order to make sure the filter can flow that much through it.
He says this particular one uses both cyclonic (spin and settle) AND membrane that passes fuel while rejecting water. The bowl has a drain screw in the bottom. This is looking like a winner to me!

As far as the age old ethanol debate, I wasn't saying that I actually liked that crap. Only that I believed one of its few redeeming values is that it most certainly helps remove water, which is my primary concern in this part of my build.