Replacing fuel filter & water separator...

[catamount]

...do I need to worry about remaining fuel in the tank before unscrewing the water separator?

Will gravity empty it into the bilge once I break this deal or is there a fuel pump in the tank that will prevent flow out?

Sorry, a newbie owner here just trying to replace some preventative parts. Thanks for any and all help!

1987 PS 190.

[Lumbergh]

A little fuel will spill from bowl, but the tank will not flow out.

I am assuming you have something like the Racor 110 fuel/water separator setup.

Change the fuel filter and the fuel/water separator while you are getting messy in the bilge...

Easy job, 1/2h to an hour from prep to cleanup.

[catamount]

Thank you! May I ask what keeps the fuel from flowing out? Is the fuel pump in the tank itself?

[pbgbottle]

the fuel could flow out by gravity . you just have to make sure the fuel tank outlet hose is higher than the tank itself ,the fuel can't flow uphill, no fuel pump in the tank it is on the motor ,
the fuel pump also has a small filter in the bottom of it that you should change to .

there will be some spillage of fuel no biggie just be careful


...

[catamount]

Thanks pbgbottle! It sounds like as soon as I unscrew the fuel separator that I have a chance of draining the fuel tank. The fuel separator is bolted at floor level so maybe I should unbolt it and lift it as high as possible before changing. Hmm. I'll be prepared for spillage.

I also have a fuel filter ready to go, thanks for mentioning that.

[AZX9]

I did a quick look weekend before last for the fuel water separator and did not see one in the engine compartment on my X9. Is that sucker somewhere other than on the engine like my other boats, like on the gas tank under the back ski locker?

[rspiecha]

My 1994 Prostar 205 had a shutoff value at the tank in the back to stop any type of gravity feed when I had a water/fuel separator. The dealer removed it to help out with a fuel injection issue.

[oxberger]

I've got an '85 and I'm assuming you have the 351W engine in yours. My water fuel separator is mounted low in the bilge area. The only spill I've experienced has been when taking the filter off. Whatever was in the filter would spill a little. I've never had the tank empty or fuel coming pouring out of the line when changing the fuel/water separator, so I wouldn't think you would have an issue either. If you are really concerned you could remove the fuel line to the fuel/water separator and plug it unitl you are done. I would think this would cause more spillage, but not gas tank empty spillage.

[catamount]

Hey guys, I ended up putting some rubber hose around the jaws of my vice grips and clamping the fuel line closed while I replaced the filters. I just didn't want fuel rushing out and it seemed like cheap insurance.

Everything went smoothly! 2 new filters ready for summer 2012.

[SkiDog]

Hey guys, I ended up putting some rubber hose around the jaws of my vice grips and clamping the fuel line closed while I replaced the filters. I just didn't want fuel rushing out and it seemed like cheap insurance.

Everything went smoothly! 2 new filters ready for summer 2012.

How many feet of fuel line does it take to replace the fuel line on a 92 Prostar? And is that a fairly easy job to replace it?

[mayo93prostar]

Dog, no more than 19 ft. Really I think it is approximately 10-12 ft needed.

Regarding draining tank, there is an anti siphon valve on the top of the tank that keeps fuel from just draining out without suction from pump. Sometimes this is cause of fuel flow problems. This applies to carbed motors only.

[catamount]

Do, no more than 19 ft.

Regarding draining tank, there is an anti siphon valve on the top of the tank that keeps fuel from just draining out without suction from pump. Sometimes this is cause of fuel flow problems. This applies to carbed motors only.

Interesting! That's really helpful, thanks!

[Lumbergh]

Re fuel line replcement:

http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?p=804203#post804203

[atlfootr]

Glad you got it worked out, lots of good guys on here that know their stuff!