Cleaning fuel tank and installing primary filter

[SeaRayCaptain]

I have a pair of 2001 Merc 496 Ho engines in my boat. Having problem with the boat bogging down due to debris inside the fuel tanks, looks almost like fine sand.
Don´t have the cool fuel 3 module.
I only have a Merc spin on fuel filter after the Boost pump. Read that in prior years, Mercruiser did not recommend primary filters and as a result boost pump screens are being clogged by debris.
Seen boats with these engines use a primary fuel filters mounted along side the stringers before the booster pumps, small cylinder type Mercruiser 35-864572.


First, any advice to clean out the fuel tanks, limited access, only fuel pic-up and the hole for the fuel sending unit. Have pumped them out so they are empty. Any special cleaner or acid I should ad or? then try to flush.


After this have been done I am thinking of installing Racor filters as a primary filter, have anyone done this? which model?

 

[thbouro]

Hi, I have the same problem with my twin Merc 350 MAG MPI (2001 SD 310, V-Drive). I found debris in the fuel boost pump screen too.

My mech suggested to install a fuel-water separator filter with inspection bowl between the fuel tank and the boost pump. My only doubt is that, according to the engine service manual, no extra filter should be installed.

Did you install the filter? Which filter? Results?


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[dpmulvey]

Interesting. Two different: boats, engines, geographic locations. The common denominator is "2001". I wonder what is wrung with the tanks?

Anyhow.... I'd opt for the primary filters. What is there to lose? Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to find the source of the problem. If it's the tanks, you are in a financial pickle due to difficulty in removal

Good luck.