When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

I have a 2003 496 HO and the Mercury Owners Manual says to change Fuel Filters every 100 hrs or Annualy. The filter is $50.00 and the two connectors are $17.00 does everybody out there change this every year or every other year? I can agree with changeing the water separating fuel filter every year but what about this inline fuel filter?.

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I installed Racor canister type filters instead. After the initial $60 price the replacement filters are about $10 a piece.

Will they void warranty?

The inline filter was an add on after there had been numerous fuel system problems. This was done late in 2002. Prior to that they did not exist.
This system is plumbed to the boost pump before the fuel goes through the water seperator filter. Should be through the filter first. But rather than fixing the plumbing issue, Merc decided to add the inline filter, at a cost of around $50 a piece, that are throwaways. My boat did not have these filters, and if I was going to have to spend this kind of money I would buy a better filter. This should not have any effect on warranty.

Where are they located...I have a 2002 496 mag, sunsation..Didn`t see any inline filter, but may be missing it..

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

I would think there's a stock AC/delco part number for these filters???? Anyone find them yet??

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

Did you install the Racor fuel filter to correct the Merc plumbing error you describe? [QUOTE=The inline filter was an add on after there had been numerous fuel system problems. This was done late in 2002. Prior to that they did not exist.
This system is plumbed to the boost pump before the fuel goes through the water seperator filter. Should be through the filter first. But rather than fixing the plumbing issue, Merc decided to add the inline filter, at a cost of around $50 a piece, that are throwaways. My boat did not have these filters, and if I was going to have to spend this kind of money I would buy a better filter. This should not have any effect on warranty.[QUOTE] If so exactly what did you do plumbibg wise?

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

On my 32 Sun the inline's are located just forward of each motor on a stringer. I suspect if you have them they too are attached to a stringer.

BTW, what is the part-number and are they found on mercruiserparts.com?

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

Island Hopper,

Did you install the Racor fuel filter to correct the Merc plumbing error you describe? [QUOTE=The inline filter was an add on after there had been numerous fuel system problems.

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

I could be wrong but I dont think the fram # is stainless steel (thats why the merc is so expensive)

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

Its my thought that a good performance marine motor installation should have a large capacity spin-on fuel/water seperator filter between the tank and the primary pump, lets say something like Remco's F300M. These I believe are usually about 20- 30 micron units which will catch a lot of water or tank and fuel debris and contamination before they plug up and leave you stranded or dead in the water. These size particles won't be a problem for the pumps. However it is important, especially on EFI motors to have a smaller 10 micron inline fuel filter after the last pump before the injectors so that if the pumps take a dump, they don't spit the debris into the system at the injectors where it will always cause instant problems. Just my system recommendations if you are setting up one or making changes.

Ray @ Raylar

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

Makes sense.

Does Remco have a web site that displays/describes their fuel filters?

Bill

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

I had Aeromotive Aluminum fuel filter in my 288 that held up and worked great. I plan on buying a set for my 32. they cost around $80.00 and come with a 10 micron filter. the replacement filters are only $10,00 after that. You pay a few $$ more the first season, but only !0.00 every season after that.. :drink:
Summit racing has good prices. here is the link to the filters them selves.
Aeromotive filer at Summit

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

No wonder Google could not find it.

Thanks.

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

I screwed up in my earlier post, to much caffiene! The fuel water seperator we support and use is the Ramco unit. I mistakenly listed the micron rating as 25-30 micron. Their micron rating on this seperator filter is actually 5 microns and yet this unit will still flow over 300GPH at that rating. These filters are also very affordable as compared to some other high performance marine fuel filters. Thats why we like and use their product. A lot of other brands of filters on the market will not flow anywhere near this number and their micron ratings are actually higher. If you are interested in one of these filters let me know as we are about to offer these products with our other fine Raylar products.

Ray @ Raylar

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

In case anyone was interested, I wnet to Pep-Boys and fond an inline fuel filter for a 496 truck engine (Purolator #F33144) for roughly $8 each that appears to be exactly the same as the originals, but it is not as it turns out. They're slightly bigger around (not a show stopper) but the stopper was the ends where the adapters screw into are not as deep, and the threads are slightly different not allowing the adapters to even start. Plus I have been using the Fram #3808 fuel separators from West Marine the past two years and have worked well at $9.99 each.

Yeah I was trying to save a couple of bucks vice paying $50 on a Merc inline model. While I had one inline filter off, I did an unscientific test to see if it was plugged (I'm having an issue with both motors not wanting to run at idle or at all, and I'm thinking fuel problem for now with both Separators changed already). Anyway just blowing thru the inline shows no restriction whatsoever to air, but I'm not sure if that has anything to do at all with fuel liquid flow to tell me whether or not it's restriciting fuel flow to the engine/s because it's clogged?

Re: When to change Inline Fuel Filter
 

Ray,

Can the Ramco 300M filter element canister be used/properly fit as a direct replacement for the stock Merc spin on fuel filter element canister for a 2005 496HO with the Cool Fuel.