Fuel Filter

Any tips on replacing the long fuel filter on my '84 Ski Nautique? I tried it last summer and gave up.
I took the boat out for a drive on Thansgiving and it surged a little after a while. I thought it was running low on fuel so I idled back home. Filled up with fuel today and took her for a spin. After about 20 minutes at 3200 RPM, she started surging again.
I have an in-line fuel pressure gauge. It read 6 psi but would drop down to nothing after a few minutes at 3/4 throttle. Pull back the throttle and it builds up pressure. If it were a bad fuel pump, it would give low pressure regardless of the rpms, right?

So, any tips on replacing the long filter? There's also a small filter plugged into the fuel line about 10 inches before the carb. I think I'm going to get rid of that one and replace the rubber fuel line with copper. Any comments?

Jimbo,

My 89 also has the fram long filter. The body of the canister unscrews from the top, similar to an oil filter. There is usually a drain valve on the bottom of the canister. Also, some of them have a hex shape on the bottom that you can put a wrench on.

In changing mine, I have found it is almost impossible to unscrew the canister in place. I pull the fuel lines, and unbolt the whole thing from the mounting bracket (the four bolts on top). I drain as much gas as I can through the valve on the bottom. Then I place the canister upside down in a wood vice, gripping the top. The top is sort of square shapped. I then use a large wrench on the hex head on the botton to unscrew the canister. Some gas will spill out when you open it, so be carefull.

Your new filter should come with a new gasket. Make sure you dig the old gasket out of the top pefore inserting the new one. If its really old, the old gasket may be as hard as a rock.

I hope this helps,
Mark

Thanks for the advice on changing the filter. It'll probably be Saturday before I have a chance to work on it. I love the Fall weather but don't care too much for the short days.

I don't know much about the fuel pump. Is changing it difficult?

I replaced the Fram unit on my '79 with the spin-on header and filter that SkiDIM sells. It makes filter changes a lot easier and leaks a lot less than the Fram did.

My Fram always smelled like gas and weeped in certain spots no matter how many times I changed gaskets or tightened the thing....good riddens.

Let me repeat myself FUEL PUMP replace it.


Because the pump moves at a slower speed at idle the pump can keep up but as the rpm increases it cannot so you can do one of two things, keep chasing your tail or replace the fuel pump, your choice, not trying to be mean or anything.

The automotive fuel line is ok, I wouldn't have selected it, but it's not going to effect anything. Also now that you have the filter replaced you need to change it regularly maybe once a season to play it save, cheap insurance so to say. The rust and other junk in the filter needs to be looked at a little closer and make sure that you do not have a gas tank rusting out on you which will lead to other issues down the line. I would say run it for a while, say a couple of days on the water and check the filter and make sure there isn't junk in it a gain if there is then you are going to need to replace the gas tank or I think there is some products out that you can line it with and not have to replace it. Another option is to try and look into the tank and see if there is any signs of rust. Some tanks are aluminum and others are steel, which I'm guessing is in your boat, and then there are aftermarket plastic tanks as well. If you have an aluminum tank then don't worry about it and the rust and junk in the seperator is just from old age.

The fuel pump is easy to change just make sure that the arm of the fuel pump engauges the eccentric. Just tip the arm down towards the oil pan as you insert it into the opening and you cann't miss. You should feel and see a small gap and tension has the mounting faces come together. Hope this helps out and by all means get a marine grade fuel pump and not an automotive, I know it cost a little more but it's a safty issue.