9 Signs That Your Boat’s Spin-On Fuel Filter Might Need Changing

One of the worst things to happen on the water is for your boat’s engine to die and leave you stranded. It’s even worse if you’re out in open waters.

Your engine could fail for a number of reasons, one of which being your spin-on fuel filter failing.

The goal of a primary fuel filter is to keep contaminants out of your machinery. Furthermore, a diesel fuel water separator will separate water from the fuel entering your engine.

Here are nine signs that you need to change your boat’s fuel filter to avoid engine failure in the future.

1. Engine Startup Issues

There are many reasons for your engine to have issues starting up, such as an empty gas tank, damaged fuel lines, or a closed gas tank air vent. It can also have issues when contaminants enter your fuel system, or the fuel filter gets clogged.

If your engine is having trouble, you might need to see if your filter is working properly. While there is a chance your engine could be already damaged, it might just be an issue with your fuel.

2. Rough Idling

A rough or uneven idle can be a sign that your engine is misfiring. This is a result of the air and fuel mixture being disrupted and making the engine move around.

Misfires are typically difficult to isolate because they’re caused by many different system malfunctions. Changing out your fuel filter should be the easiest step when attending to the issue.

If the rough idle continues with a fresh filter, it may be best to take it to an expert.

3. Hesitating Engine With Heavy Load

An engine that stumbles or misfires when under load is either misfiring, not getting enough fuel, or sucking too much air.

If your fuel filter water separator isn’t working properly or is clogged, then water and other pollutants could be mixing into the fuel injector and causing damage inside your engine. You’ll also know there’s an issue if the check engine light switches on.

4. Starting and Stopping

Another way you’ll know your filter needs to be checked is if your engine is starting and stopping randomly. You’ll be out on the water, and your engine will sputter and stop before starting back up, only to stop again.

This suggests, once again, either an issue with the engine or an issue with the fuel quality. Either too many contaminants are getting through the filter, or not enough fuel is filtering through.

5. You’ve Switched Gasoline

Fuel can become contaminated if it sits in a fuel tank for too long, which is why a spin-on fuel filter exists. However, even the filter can become clogged and needs to be replaced.

This is especially important if the area where you refill your boat has recently switched to ethanol formulated gasoline. Ethanol cleans out fuel systems, which means your filter is going to pick up the excess waste.

Luckily, changing spin-on fuel filters is easy. Maintaining a proper fuel flow is key to a long-lasting boat engine.

6. You’re Getting an Oil Change

You should be getting an oil change for every 50 to 100 hours of use. Neglecting it can cause irreversible damage to your engine and leave your boat landlocked.

While you’re getting your oil changed, you might as well change out the spin-on fuel water separator and get everything else checked out and maintained. Utilize every opportunity you have to keep smooth sailing.

7. Brown Fuel or Filter Element

If you notice that your fuel has started to turn brown or muddy, and your filter element is getting less clean, contaminants are probably getting through.

Switching out your spin-on fuel filter is a great first step, but there may be secondary filters deeper inside the machinery that isn’t so easy to reach. In these cases, you’ll want to schedule a visit with a marine technician that can clean out your fuel tank, switch out the filters, and perform other services.

8. High Vacuum Gauge Reading

One of the few important fuel-system troubleshooting tools is the fuel filter vacuum gauge, which will tell you how much pressure is acting on the filter.

If the vacuum increases, the filter needs to be changed. However, the baseline must be set with clean fuel elements before working with possibly contaminated fuel or a filter.

Another thing to keep in mind is that although the vacuum gauge will point to a problem, most likely in your fuel filter, it could also show signs of a clog somewhere else in the fuel pickup or the manifold.

A good vacuum gauge will let you know when to change out your filter when it’s absolutely necessary, which can save you time and money.

9. It’s Been More Than Six Months

Last but not least, one of the most important signs you need to change your spin-on fuel filter is if it’s been at least six months since the last time you changed it.

This is important, especially if you don’t take your boat out often, as the fuel sitting in your tank can separate and cause a number of issues when injected into the engine. This doesn’t need to be done exactly six months on the dot, but the best thing to do is make it a routine if you are actively using it.

And make sure to follow your boat’s manual when changing out or installing a filter assembly.

Bonus Tip: Plan Ahead and Look at That Spin-on Fuel Filter

Now that you know the warning signs, you should feel more prepared than ever to prep your boat for your great voyage. Or maybe you’re concerned and feel like you need some help getting replacement parts or a new spin-on fuel filter.

We have both outboard fuel water separators and diesel fuel water separators available. Compact, versatile, and fully configurable, and available with FREE SHIPPING in the U.S.!

Have any questions? Contact our team at Clear Flow Filtration Systems to connect with a representative who can help you out with your special project, performance requirements, or if you need help figuring out what option is best for your needs.