Remote fuel filter for 225 Pro XS?

[xsv spd]

Does anyone have feedback on this? My dealer sold me the $50 filter that comes stock with the Optimax but also suggested buying the remote filter and installing it between the tank and motor. It uses the standard $11 water separating fuel filter and I would have to mount the bracket somewhere beneath. The dealer said that after installing the remote filter I should only replace the $50 every 5 years and the remote $11 filter every season. I have also read about fuel pressure being potentially affected?

Going to put her away soon...maybe one more time out only.

Feedback is welcome and appreciated.

 

[Sam I am]

My father did that on his E-Tec...I don't think you'll have to worry about fuel pressure. I remember a thread concerned about fuel pressure, but that particular boat had a electric fuel pump before the engine. There was some debate whether that was advisable and I believe the punchline was: to each their own. I think you'd be a OK with the filter.

BTW, how fast did you get her up to this summer?

 

[xsv spd]

I'm going to install the remote spin on filter this spring. It seems to be a good idea from what I have heard. Plus the one that is under the cowl is $50 every time...ya I know but the motor costs $$$$$.

I fixed the speedo this summer and throughout the summer those who drove my boat while I waterskied said that I was always asking for speed above 42 mph?! That seemed off because I can usually can tell within a couple of mph what speed the boat is going even from behind the tow rope. I like to ski at around 38 mph. SOOOOO, I bought a GPS. To answer the speed question, 76.1 mph. After a couple of squirely moments, I got used to the setup and what worked best. I found that too much trim was bad. It seemed like the bow got too light with the trim as high as it goes. I think it still has more though because I have not hit the rev limiter. I have less hair now too...maybe it's falling out anyway! lol

I might get out this weekend for one last rip...

BTW it has about 100 hours now. Do you know it the spark plugs where ever changed?

 

[Sam I am]

76.1! Nice...I knew it was faster than what I got out of it. I only had the boat for one summer and had it it winterized at an authorized merc dealer, but never had the plugs changed.

Smart move on the filter.

 

[Great East Predictor]

My motor has a similar fuel delivery system as the optimax. I run an inline fuel water seperator as well as the one on the motor. The system uses 3 fuel pumps. A regular pulse pump to draw fuel from the tank, mid pressure pump to pressurize the vapor seperator tank and a high pressure pump to pressurize the injectors. So fuel pressure isn't much of an issue...some do install a low pressure electric pump in the boat as well, not sure if its necessary though.

 

[xsive]

Mercury does not recommend the additional inline filter. You don't need it and it is likely to cause more problems than it solves.

 

[xsv spd]

Mercury does not recommend the additional inline filter. You don't need it and it is likely to cause more problems than it solves.

Interesting, Mercury should talk to their dealers that recommend options that are not approved!

So I gather that's a big NO from you. Stay stock and replace the $50 non water separating filter every year.

Anyone else every added the spin on filter or considered it?

 

[hotdaddy27]

I am staying away from this one. Last time I put my 2 cents in, it caused a Holy War!



HD

P.S.- I'm with XSIVE

 

[john lamon]

I am staying away from this one. Last time I put my 2 cents in, it caused a Holy War!



HD

P.S.- I'm with XSIVE

Even on my old 87' 220 EFI my dealer told me not to put one on because there is already one on the motor.

 

[xsv spd]

I am staying away from this one. Last time I put my 2 cents in, it caused a Holy War!



HD

P.S.- I'm with XSIVE

I thought that war was about the winterizing...lol I've got that part all taken care of (notice I was asking Sam about the spark plugs!) Thanks for the unofficial "no"...

Leaving it stock sounds better and better now!

 

[Sam I am]

OK...I'll play Devils Advocate:

Of course Mercury doesn't recommend an additional inline filter, then you wouldn't spend $50 on their filter every year. Maybe the Mercury dealer who recommended the spin on filter to you feels guilty about fleecing customers for $50 bucks every year when he knows the spin on will take care of any problems or potential for problems. Just sayin...

"Oooooooooooooooohhhhhh. I get it. It's a PROFIT deal!"
-Steve Martin, The Jerk

I was actually thinking of the fuel pump thread when I typed my first response this morning and deliberately left it out of the response because I didn't want to "go there" again. Yet...no matter where you go....there you are.

 

[ckaluger]

I have a 250 ProXs and purchased the filters on line for around 35.00 dollars as I recall, and that is all I run. I have an in line ball which I pump prior to an overnight cold start. We run about 4 months here in Ohio and I replace it annually.

Chuck

 

[aaronmt]

Had a seperate filter on mine for half of summer.A friend whos been running high performance boats for many years told me it wa a NO-go for the 250xs.I was on the fence about running it prior to him telling me that.His word is all I needed to take it off.

 

[atc250r]

Of course Mercury doesn't recommend an additional inline filter, then you wouldn't spend $50 on their filter every year.

Very good point. If anyone cares to really get to the bottom of this its relatively easy to get some hard data. Put a T in the fuel feed between the tank and the motor, hook up a fuel pressure/vacuum gauge, and run down the lake WFO. I would expect to see no vacuum in the line since there should be no restriction. Next do the same run with a decent quality spin on filter/separator between the tank and the gauge and do the same run. If there is no vacuum or the same as their was with no filter then I can't see what harm the filter is doing. After being in an I/O for the last 25+ years I was shocked to see no separator of any kind, especially with all the problems being blamed on the oxygenated fuel we have today.

Obviously its a totally different animal but I've been running one all season on my 99 Johnson without an issue and that includes a 120 mile round trip up the Hudson and a 80+ mile round trip down it to The Statue of Liberty.

John