Should I add a canister fuel filter / water separator?

[RonKMiller]

The idea is to get one with enough rated flow for your motor. My filter is a "mini", yet easily provides more than adequate flow for my 90 hp yammy. It even says on the side that it's rated for up to 115 hp. I had tiny in line OEM filter but pulled that, it was kind of a joke.

[IrnGynt]

The idea is to get one with enough rated flow for your motor. My filter is a "mini", yet easily provides more than adequate flow for my 90 hp yammy. It even says on the side that it's rated for up to 115 hp. I had tiny in line OEM filter but pulled that, it was kind of a joke.

My plan is to get either a 60 or 90 gph unit then check the vacuum at the mechanical pump inlet before and after installing it then check it with and without the under-the-cowl separator. I might even check it without the anti-syphon check valve because I'm curious how much flow that thing saps. I guess the mechanical pump on the Merc has very little wiggle-room which would explain the concern.

[BoatCop]

Most outboards made in the last 10-15 years or so have a filter/separator on the engine. Not 100% sure about other brands but definitely on Mercurys. That's why Merc doesn't recommend adding an external one.

As long as you do your regular maintenance, including changing the filter, there's no need. And they could cause fuel pumps to fail from overworking to draw through the additional resistance, and the aforementioned loss of performance.

[badmoonrising]

Most outboards made in the last 10-15 years or so have a filter/separator on the engine. Not 100% sure about other brands but definitely on Mercurys. That's why Merc doesn't recommend adding an external one.

As long as you do your regular maintenance, including changing the filter, there's no need. And they could cause fuel pumps to fail from overworking to draw through the additional resistance, and the aforementioned loss of performance.

Yep. Being an I/O guy, that was the first thing I asked the tech at my dealer for this boat. He said they are built in and an aftermarket unit wasn't required.

[wedge542]

my 225 has a little inline filter under the cowl, does anyone know what micron these inlines are? I bought the spinon for my motor size and looked closer its a napa 3225 rated at 12-14 mics flows 10gpm 60gph. If my 225 needs 22.5 gph wot i should be ok with no restrictions as long as i change it, im useing 3/8 lines instead 5/16 and 3/8 fittings. This is a carb motor so im certain the fi engines with elec pumps are a diff breed all together with diff needs and id think the newer stuff has good engineering in place to protect the pumps injectors regulators and such. Most todays fuel suppliers dont do much in way of filtration so its up to the user to protect themselves and investments.

[HandymanHerb]

I took my canister filter out of the line today because I was having fueling problems, didn't really help it right away but then the fuel problem went away and I was no longer hitting 6600 RPM but staying 6000 at 17 MPH, so maybe the engine sat to long and needs to be run, but next trip the engine guy is going after he puts the water pressure line where it is suppose to be on the pee line.

Pee line got clogged today but I was still showing water pressure but it got to overheat quick not peeing, if the pressure gauge would have been on the pee line it would have pegged my gauge and I would have known I had problem.

[CZSteve]

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