How To Clean Fuel Filter On 150 Hp Yamaha Outboard

What is ethanol and why is it and so bad for marine engines?

Fuel Ethanol has been added to the majority of today's fuel supply as an oxygenate to aid reduce emissions. It'south as well used to extend domestic fuel supplies.

Ethanol is alcohol, and alcohol is "hygroscopic," which means it attracts water molecules. Since nearly all boat fuel tanks are vented to the atmosphere, water tin can (and will) collect in your fuel. When the concentration of water molecules in your fuel tank reaches just i⁄2 of 1%, the water molecules will bond with the alcohol and sink to the bottom, where your fuel option upwards is. Depending on the corporeality of water ingested into your outboard, this can outcome in everything from running problems to catastrophic damage.

fuel separator Ethanol, being alcohol, is likewise a powerful solvent that tin loosen debris in your fuel tank and all the tanks and lines it was in before it got to y'all. One time in your outboard, this droppings can cause everything from running problems to a no-showtime, no-run condition. That's no fun.

Capt. George Mitchell on the importance of ethanol defense

What can I practice to protect myself from the potentially damaging effects of ethanol?

Fortunately, there are elementary procedures that tin aid, but it's important that you do your function. This is one office of maintenance y'all must proactively do for yourself.

1.Install a 10-micron fuel/water separating filter in the fuel line between your fuel tank and your outboard. It filters the gas and allows any water (which is heavier than gas) to safely sink to the bottom of the filter and out of the fuel. Yamaha's spin-on x-micron filter traps impurities down to 10 microns in size (i/20th of the diameter of a human hair), to keep your fuel clean, and has an extra-large water-retention area. And since it'southward a spin-on, it's very easy to replace.

Tip: Carefully filling a new replacement filter about 3⁄4 full with fresh, stabilized fuel before installation will make priming the fuel organisation afterward much quicker and easier.

Tip: Utilise a thin film of clean engine oil to the gasket when installing the filter. That will make information technology much easier to remove when it's time.

2. Add together fuel stabilizer and conditioner to every tank of fuel. Brand sure to add a quality, marine-specific not-alcohol-based formula, like Yamalube^® Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner PLUS. These formulations are specifically designed to piece of work effectively in the moisture-rich environments common to boats. And don't believe some of the claims you run across today; no matter what you add together to bad gas, it's nevertheless bad gas. No additive will restore stale fuel, remove h2o, or cure ethanol-related problems.

Tip: Today's gasoline can begin to interruption down in a matter of weeks, not months. Make sure to treat every tank of fuel, not just for extended storage. Information technology'south cheap protection against a globe of hurt.

3. Add Ring Free PLUS internal engine cleaner to every tank of fuel. The cleansing additives in the majority of today's gas are a corking start, but they're formulated for automobiles, so they may non work besides on your outboard. Practice them one ameliorate. Ring Costless PLUS makes performance-robbing carbon chemically unable to stick to internal engine components. The "PLUS" is a proprietary alloy of synthetic anti-corrosion additives that helps protect the "xanthous metals" in your fuel system (copper, contumely and silver solder) from corrosion. These are fundamental components to proper fuel organization operation. This helps maintain their performance and reliability. Band Free PLUS also cleans gums and deposits off of internal engine and fuel organisation components.

4. Buy your gas where they sell a lot of it.
The goal is to proceed your boat's fuel fresh and potent at all times. Why purchase gas that's already been sitting around untreated? Buy the freshest fuel you tin can find, and at fill up, treat each tank with Yamalube Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner PLUS and Ring Gratis PLUS. Add these before adding the fuel and so they mix up well. It'south an easy, proactive and protective habit to become into.

Are at that place any other fuel filters, and where are they located?

Your Yamaha outboard has a system of fuel filters on the engine, as well. It's important to know the location of these filters and to clean or replace them at the recommended intervals. You can detect this information in your service transmission or through your authorized Yamaha Marine dealer. As an example, here'southward a full general guide using a modern Yamaha fuel-injected iv stroke.

1. Primary On-Engine Filter. This is typically on the front end, side, or rear of the powerhead, and is commonly made of plastic yous tin can meet through. It filters fuel coming into the outboard. This "principal" filter ordinarily features a small water trap at the bottom of the cup. This is the starting time filter later the 10-micron filter; so if there'southward water in hither, information technology's fourth dimension to change your 10-micron. On Yamaha outboards, there may be a red ring visible inside this filter. Don't e'er remove it. If it's floating, you've got water in this filter's trap. Time for a change.

2. Vapor Separator Tank (VST) Filter. Attached to the electrical fuel pump in the Vapor Separator Tank (VST), this filters gas again simply before it'southward pressurized into the fuel injection rail(s). The VST is a prime spot in your fuel organization where deposits and gum can form, peculiarly if fuel is untreated, and the VST filter is the nigh hard to admission and usually the most expensive to replace. Assist protect it past consistently treating every tank of fuel, and regularly inspecting and servicing the start two filters in the fuel line.

3. In-Line Filter. Some models have an in-line filter between the primary fuel pump and the VST (vapor separator tank) and/or in the fuel line between the VST and the fuel rail, located along the height of the outboard. Refer to your service manual or contact your dealer for the exact location for your model.

4. Fuel Injector Screen. These are built into each fuel injector. They're very fine-mesh screens and are not user-serviceable. If debris somehow makes it here, the fuel injectors must be removed and professionally cleaned, or replaced—reason enough to audit and/or alter your fuel filters regularly.

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How often should I change my fuel filters?

Fuel/Water Separating Filter

10-micron filters should be replaced every fifty hours of engine operation. Keeping this filter clean and fresh volition help protect the other fuel filters on the engine and extend their service life. And always carry a spare on board, just in case yous get a load of bad gas and the filter gets overwhelmed.

Tip: Exercise not only remove and dump the fuel and re-install the filter, as captured droppings and water could enter the "clean" side of the filter and be released into your fuel system.

Principal and in-line filters should be replaced after every 100 hours of engine operation. These are piece of cake to go to and simple to replace.
VST filters should be inspected and/or replaced after every 300 hours of engine performance, provided that the 10-micron external and initial on-engine filters have been serviced and maintained properly. Properly treated fuel will as well extend the life of these filters.

What are another tips I need to know almost my fuel system?

Yamalube

Check fuel organization components before each trip. Information technology's important to visually and physically bank check the condition of the fuel hoses and connections for any signs of leaks or swell each time you lot use your boat. Give everything the "sniff exam". Yous should as well cheque your primer bulb. If the bulb does not go firm when squeezed prior to starting the engine, cheque for a possible fuel system leak. If none, supercede the primer seedling.
Become rid of carbon and keep it out. Yamaha Internal Engine Cleaner is a dealer-but applied product that is the strongest and most effective mode to make clean out carbon and other build-up from the inside of your outboard. Once done, be sure to apply Ring Free PLUS regularly to help keep it that way.
Carburetors need beloved, likewise. Late-model carburetors run very lean, with very modest passages that can clog with glue and varnish. Use Yamalube^® Carburetor Cleaner Dip full strength, or diluted using warm, soapy h2o, to assistance clean them up.

Tip: Be certain to follow directions. If yours is a ii-stroke carburetor, don't immerse it in solvent for long periods of fourth dimension; the special sealant used on it will be removed, resulting in harm and possible negative running issues.

Gas containers. Exist sure to add Fuel Stabilizer & Conditioner PLUS and Ring Free PLUS before filling them up, and go along them in a absurd, dark place if possible. Containers available through Yamaha feature a "Spill-Proof Spout" which shuts off automatically when the container reaches capacity. This helps prevent spills and helps them comply with emissions requirements.