fuel/water separator filter replacement

msballin

msballin

Member
May 30, 2008
259
Islip Terrace, Long Island
Boat Info
2000 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 7.4L Horizons w/ Hurth V-Drives
Is it necessary to fill replacement fuel/water separator filter w gas prior to installation to avoid air pocket? I ask because upon trying to start engines as a test prior to launching, they wouldn't turn over. Both were fine upon winterization. First time for me commissioning prior to Spring launch and am somewhat perplexed as to why they wouldn't start. Thanks in advance for your input.

Mike
 
msballin said:
Is it necessary to fill replacement fuel/water separator filter w gas prior to installation to avoid air pocket? I ask because upon trying to start engines as a test prior to launching, they wouldn't turn over. Both were fine upon winterization. First time for me commissioning prior to Spring launch and am somewhat perplexed as to why they wouldn't start. Thanks in advance for your input.

I do believe that you need to fill them, but I would think the engines would turn over. Would they just not stay running due to air pocket? :huh: If they did not turn over....do you have enought battery power? Is it both engines or just one? I will ask a technician today at the yard and get back to you.
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You need to fill them atleast 2/3 of the way up with gas before you screw them on. It may be hard to remove them now because there is a vacum created, but it will go.
When you say they wouldn't turn over, do you mean the wouldn't fire? Or the motor realy wouldn't turn? The filter would not prevent the motor from turning, if this is the case you need to look at other posabilities.
 
I bet it is not the fuel filter... It is a good idea to fill them but it should not keep the engines from starting... Make sure you are in nuetral... When I tried to start my 340 this year It did not start and I went crazy trying to figure out what was wrong, only to find our my port transmission was in gear... Also check to make sure the swithes are on for each engine in the pannel, and the keys are turned on... Usually its the simple things that go wrong...




msballin said:
Is it necessary to fill replacement fuel/water separator filter w gas prior to installation to avoid air pocket? I ask because upon trying to start engines as a test prior to launching, they wouldn't turn over. Both were fine upon winterization. First time for me commissioning prior to Spring launch and am somewhat perplexed as to why they wouldn't start. Thanks in advance for your input.

Mike
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Like Rod said, it should eventually start. While it does make it easier by filling the filters, the fuel pump will fill them. It may take a few key-on/key-off cycles to keep activating the pump, but it'll get there.
 
Like me, you probably have fuel injected engines with electric fuel pumps. After installing your new dry filters, all you have to do is turn the ignition to the "on" position (you will hear the pumps go on for about 5 seconds) but do not go further to turn the engine over for starting. Instead, turn the ignition off, wait a few seconds and do the same thing again. After 5-6 rounds of this your filters should be filled with "filtered" fuel. :smt038

I've been told that pouring gas in the open filter before installing may introduce non-filtered fuel into your system - which could be a very bad thing!:smt009

Just replaced mine yesterday this way without issue. Even my gen-set worked fine although it is not fuel injected, but it still has an electric fuel pump to which I applied the same method to fill the filter prior to starting.:thumbsup:
 
engaged both fuel pumps as suggested. Starboard engine fired up just fine. Port side took a bit of encouragement, finally fired, remained running for 30 -45 seconds then stalled. Having a bit of trouble restarting. Flooded? Not sure if you can flood an efi. Thanks.
 
I have Mercruiser 7.4L bluewater MPI's...I had to take the fuel filters back off and fill them with fuel to keep the boat running. I tried about 10 times and it just wouldn't fill them up.

I don't think you need to worry about a pint of unfiltered gas hurting your engines....
 
Both engines fired up! Thanks all for your assorted input. I'm grateful! Have a great/safe boating season!

All the best,

Mike
 
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