1989 Ski Nautique 2001 Fuel Water Separator

I am resurrecting this thread because of a failed ski outing yesterday, to thank you all and CCF for helping with another boat problem, and to say hello again after a very long absence.

Why have I been gone so long? My level of busy at work has been barely manageable over the past 3-4 years. The kids and I are still skiing, but I have not been keeping up with the forum, or traveling to CCF events. I want you to know that I have missed you all and think about you often.

Thanks Morfoot for the parts number. I hope all is well with you.

So, on to the story.

After having plugs and wires, as well as the steering cable replaced in the 89 SN, I got the family on the boat yesterday to do some skiing. Sadly, having just gotten the boat back this past Friday, it was our first time out this year.

The boat started fine, but about 1/4 mile from the dock, while getting on plane, the motor dies. Waiting a few minutes, the boat started, but died again. It seemed obvious that it was not getting enough fuel. I called the inboard mechanic, what gives? He says that the boat lake tested fine this past Friday. He asked about the fuel/water separator and filter. I reply, "Ummm, about that..."

The kids, year round swimmers, are getting big, they pushed the boat back to the dock kicking from the swim platform. The skipper (term used loosely) of the Grady White 500 yards away did not offer offer to help, even though I am pretty sure he saw the motor box open and the kids swimming.

I am truly embarrassed to say that I have not had the fuel separator apart, ever. It was quietly doing its thing until this past Sunday. Why I should think oil filters need replacing and fuel filters don't, I don't know. In fact, this is not the first time I have had a fuel filter problem in a boat, but that was many, many years ago.

So, as shown in other posts on page one of this thread, the filter if forward of the motor, hanging from a bracket that is lag bolted into the stringer.

The filter is inside a shell that screws on like an oil filter. I had to disconnect the fuel lines and take the whole thing out and screw the mounting bracket to a work bench to get the shell off using a big wrench on the hex nut shape at the bottom. I cleaned the shell out. The gas in the separator was dirty, and likely had a little water underneath. The filter is ancient. Clearly too long since it has been changed. A new filter is on order (Wix part number 33436). I figure the 1.5 hours road trip shook the dirt and water up causing the failure. We will see what happens when the new filter arrive. Regardless, lesson learned. I will be sure to add regular check and maintenance of the separator with replacement of the filter to the usual oil and impeller changes.

The Napa filter comes with a drawing of the canister and tells you what's what. If you're not in a hurry, though, Napa ia about twice as much as Skidim.com.

Vancouver Matt wrote: Which one is the retaining screw?

Nautiquehunter wrote: remove the top center bolt and the canister will drop down.

From the PCM service manual:



I guess they figure it's "intuitively obvious"

Hey,

I think it is the middle one or ones on top. The bottom would be to drain the water. It has been a while since I have taken mine off.

Clew In

Hey,

That looks like mine and it bolts on and the canister does not screw off. Maybe they made some that screw off that look the same????

Clew In

Okay the NAPA part # is

NAPA Gold 3436

If you are going to be running ethanol fuel in your boat I would consider upgrading to a fuel/water seperator type filter that is compatible with ethanol fuels and change it every year or two. I really dont think the old small Fram filters (C111OPL) will do well long term in ethanol fuel. I think there was another thread showing a really gunked up filter a few montyhs ago.

If you mount the filter assembly upside down on the existing mount it is much easier to remove. I then used a belt style oil filter removal tool to break it loose.

Depending on how similar it is to an oil filter, maybe something like this would work:
Oil Filter Pliers

They make them in some different sizes and a lot of companies make them. They work great on stubborn oil filters. You just have to be careful not to totally crush it, in case it's really not coming off and you have to leave it in place.

The strap type works well and this type works well too if you can get a bite:
Oil Filter Wrench

Mine looks like a long Oil Filter Too but does not screw off easily. It's stuck!

Hey,

My 1982 does not screw off. You loosen the bolt and the housing slides off.

Clew In

Mines down below the front right (when facing in the observer's seat) of the engine. Beside the Oil Filter.

Honestly...I just left it for this season and might change it with the dealer over the winter. I have 908 hrs on the boat and last filter change was at 835 hrs. Not worried as I keep the boat underground in heated parking.

Cant believe how hard those are to get off!

How many hours do you have on yours?

I love your boat. Big Block makes a big difference with HP's !

Matt - It's actually easiest to remove the entire unit & chuck it in a vice - then you can get some torque on it.