Fuel Filter Change on 2005 X-2/MCX

[boofer]

airwear, it is recommended to replace the fuel filter once every 100 hours or yearly (per my manual).

[ChrisG]

airware - I didn't replace the fuel filter (probably should have). Thanks to the people on this board, I was able to track down the fuel pump itself. I didn't read anywhere about an aftermarket fuel filter.

[airwear]

Any guidance on when the fuel filter should be replaced? Is it solely based on if you are having problems, or is there a recommended # of hours as well??

It doesn't look like something I want to do unless I really need to.

[ChrisG]

It worked like a charm. This aftermarket fuel pump seems to work better than the OEM one. Anyhow, the boat starts very easy now. With the old pump, it would crank over a few times before it actually started (when it started). Now, I barely turn the key and it starts right up. Thanks to everyone's help on this board, I was able to save $500 and do the job myself.

[rhsprostar]

Did you blow up?

[ChrisG]

Thanks guys. I think I figured it out. The o-ring does go on first...it just doesn't seem like a good fit...but then again, this whole set-up seems a bit odd. Anyhow, it's time to connect the wires. This seems like the most nerve racking step. Anytime I think of electrical and gasoline in the same sentence, it makes me nervous.

rhs - it's an 03 X9 with the Predator

[rhsprostar]

I did the install about 2 months ago and things are a little foggy but i think the top one is right. The o ring should go on first if i remember. What boat and mtor is it for? Year?

[KelBCx9]

I'm pretty sure the top is correct only the o-ring should go on first. You can see where the screws have marked the plastic.They hold down the pump.That is how i reassembled mine. You don't want the pump to move.

[ChrisG]

I'm in the process of putting my fuel pump assembly back together (after purchasing the AC Delco EP356) and have run into a little problem. I'm not sure which way the support flange and O-ring should fit back together. I took two pictures of them fitting both ways? Does anyone know which picture is correct?

[KelBCx9]

No i figured if it cross referenced with the napa pump i would be ok. I went into this with the mindset that once the pump was out if it didn't match up to the old one i was going to have to replace it anyway.It looks the same as the one i replaced in my GMC with a 5.7. I will keep you posted.

[rhsprostar]

On Saturday i commented to my wife that we just hit 600 hrs on my 03 X9 and within 5 minutes my boat stalled and would not start,after checking the fuel rail and no fuel coming out we paddled back to the lift. I did a search and found this thread and thought i would try the AC Delco EP 356 as it was cheaper than the NAPA one by $60. I double checked the rail before disconnecting the battery. It was 10 minutes out using a 3/16 HEX and fuel disconnectors.In the garage in a bucket and disassembled with my 15yr old . Back together and running in less than an hour. Will be using all this week until our lake is the site of the BC Summer Games Ski/Wakeboard site this weekend.
THANKS for all the great input.

Nice work, keep us posted about any issues etc. Did you check the specs on the ep356? GPH and pressure? Just curious because i used the Napa pump, and waswondering if they were identical.

[KelBCx9]

On Saturday i commented to my wife that we just hit 600 hrs on my 03 X9 and within 5 minutes my boat stalled and would not start,after checking the fuel rail and no fuel coming out we paddled back to the lift. I did a search and found this thread and thought i would try the AC Delco EP 356 as it was cheaper than the NAPA one by $60. I double checked the rail before disconnecting the battery. It was 10 minutes out using a 3/16 HEX and fuel disconnectors.In the garage in a bucket and disassembled with my 15yr old . Back together and running in less than an hour. Will be using all this week until our lake is the site of the BC Summer Games Ski/Wakeboard site this weekend.
THANKS for all the great input.

[BuoyChaser]

Great pictures, should make replacing mine on my 2005 197 w/ MCX engine much easier!!!

[rhsprostar]

Awesome rhs. I appreciate those photos. I bought a siphon pump today at the local auto parts store and for poops and grins asked them to see what came up for a AC Delco EP356. They gave me a referenced pump E2065 (the same as yours) for $73. By the way, what kind of boat/motor do you have? My fuel module does not have the springy thing. It just slides up and down.

But, like I said, I went ahead and ordered the full MC module. Maybe with some help from the fellow members we can come up with something to fix this flawed system.

From what you said earlier. I do believe that the "straw" is to allowed unfiltered fuel into the pump. This would jive with what many have said about unfiltered fuel being used till 1/2 tank. Now, once the level goes below the straw, the only way for fuel to enter the pool is through the filter. Well, here is one question, how fast can fuel pass through this filter? Also, does the excess fuel from the pressure regulator drop straight back into the pool? In other words, is enough fuel making it into this pool once the fuel level goes below 1/2 tank? At first the answer may be yes. The weight of the fuel at 1/2 tank is somewhat pushing fuel through the filter. But, as the level decreases, then so does the pressure. Now, let's say for a moment that you remove the fuel filter and go with totally unfiltered fuel (and suppose for a moment that you have 100% clean gas). Okay, you would be able to use below 1/4 tank of gas. BUT, the pump would still be exposed and thus not cooled (and fail). So, I really think that the problem lies with keeping this pool filled at all times and as far as I can think it would require a second pump similar to the PCM design.

If there was some way to add a low pressure pump to the system to keep the pool filled and allow this (low pressure) pump to draw from the bottom (or near bottom) of the tank, this would solve everything. Granted, you would still have to be careful about running the tank empty.

It looks like the returned fuel does not go back into the pool. After thinking about it, the big issue with letting the fuel level get low is in the fact that the pump is cooled by it being immersed in fuel. As the level drops it exposes the pump more and more and allows it to heat up causing failure. So it may be the module design not just a poor pump design that is the culprit here. Now it is possible that the pumps are just of poor quality, overheat easily and fail often. Will an aftermarket pump stand up better to a low fuel condition??? I guess only time will tell.

[rhsprostar]

OK so the aftermarket AC Delco part number is EP356; Can anyone tell me what the AC Delco (or other) aftermarket part number is for the Fuel Filter......Thanks.....

I think the filter is specific to Carter, so you have to go through a dealer.