Fuel/water seperator

[foreverstrung]

As I said in an earlier thread, I've got a Mercury 200 saltwater with a carburetor, 2001 XL. The manual says that Mercury put these filters in no standard location or of any specific type. I found this in-line fuel filter in the engine compartment. The inlet port broke off, but regardless of that, is this the fuel water separator? I couldn't find another fuel filter anywhere.

[wingtime]

You should have two fuel filters.  There is a small inline filter on the engine itself located in between the fuel pump and the carburetors.  The water separating fuel filter looks like a spin on oil filter and is typically on your hull somewhere.  Such as this: http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|311|302335|107095|1570460&id=1570072

[foreverstrung]

Well, this is obviously the smaller inline filter you spoke of, but I started at the pie hole on the deck, in the center, which has the hose to the fuel tank in and another out. Followed it best I could south about 3 to 4 feet, (to engine) and hit the battery compartment on the starboard side aft, there the hose goes right too the primer bulb and then to the engine, The only place I can think it might be is between the batteries and the pie hole. I'd bet If I pulled the batteries and stick my head in and down it might be there. Thanks for letting my think out loud here, but do you follow my thinkin? Sound about right?

[seabob4]

Dave, I doubt you'll find the separator that well hidden...and that inaccessable.  If you can be certain that the feed off the tank goes straight to the primer bulb, then it's safe to say that your boat just doesn't have one.  The only Merc engines that state specifically NOT to use an external F/W separator are Verados...

That being said, time to install one.  Want the best?  Go with a Racor...

[wingtime]

OK the pic did not show up when I first saw your post for some reason.  Yup thats the inline filter.  Do what Bob says get the best water separating filter out there..... Racor.  I think the new standard is 10 micron.

[seabob4]

The way I look at it, you can go cheap and get an Attwood at Wally World, but they don't make it, it's a re-branded filter.  Same with Yam, Zuke, Merc, BRP.  Parker-Hanefin, Racor's parent company, makes filters (along with a whole bunch of other stuff for the industrial world)...

[foreverstrung]

Well I've been looking on the Racor website as well as a few other marine stores, online, and if I go with a Racor, what model am I looking for? Many to choose from and in the listings themselves they do not specify and engine size.

[seabob4]

Well I've been looking on the Racor website as well as a few other marine stores, online, and if I go with a Racor, what model am I looking for? Many to choose from and in the listings themselves they do not specify and engine size.

Racor model # 120R-RAC-01, 30GPH max flow...http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... I4BEPMCMAE

[GoneFission]

eBay can be your friend:

Cat don't make junk:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CATERPILLAR-FUE ... ea&vxp=mtr  

Want Racor?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARPAC-RACOR-FU ... 4a&vxp=mtr

[foreverstrung]

OK, I bought a Racor 120R-RAC-01 as seabob recommended. Readin up on them, they appear to be the best. Any suggestions on mounting locations? It would be a straight run, with little re-running of the current fuel line to have it mounted in the starboard splashwell, but this is where my batteries are. I'm thinkin I might be able to mount it in the bilge area aft. That aft pie hole, (215 explorer) is how I would access the bilge pump as well as run new fuel lines if I needed too, probably best down here, but I'm not sure I'll have enough maneuverability.

[Capt. Bob]

Any suggestions on mounting locations? It would be a straight run, with little re-running of the current fuel line to have it mounted in the starboard splashwell, but this is where my batteries are. I

This is an 04 model. See photo #9

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2004- ... -101683238

A lot of photos here. They may give you a better feel for how your EX is set up.

Good luck.

[kraw2]

Do not mount it in the enclosed bilge area. Mount it in the splashwell as you mentioned.

[seabob4]

Kieth,
There is nothing inherrently wrong with mounting the separator in the bilge area to starboard, other than making it a bit more of a PITA to service.  The lower bilge itself is a definite no-no as the cannister and mounting base will soon corrode or rust.  But from a CG and ABYC point of view, the starboard battery compartment on a 215 Explorer is perfectly acceptable...

[foreverstrung]

mounted in the port splashwell, near the oil tank. Thanks