05-02-2011, 09:26 PM
Coot,
As MercuryMan said, replace them once/year. I also dump them in a clear glass container to see how much water they have in them. Then I judge by this just how much "dry gas" or "gas line antifreeze" I add to the tank each winter. I replace the ones on the state boats in the fall when I winterize the boats. I then dump in enough dry gas to treat the amount of gas in each tank. I also am a huge believer/user of StaBil at this time too. Keep an oil filter wrench on hand (on board?) to change out the filter. The gas really makes the filters tough to get off compared to an oil filter. The gas must affect the rubber gasket material. I only put them on tight enough so they don't leak. About a 1/4 turn with the wrench past what I can do with my hand.
You also asked about what it feels like when they get "full". Well it feels like what you would expect when you have water in the fuel. Backfire, sluggish, stumbling. When they are clean the boat runs great.
Finally, make sure to install them in a place with easy access. If they are difficult to reach they will be difficult to change! Especially if you need to really put some muscle behind the wrench to get them off.
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As MercuryMan said, replace them once/year. I also dump them in a clear glass container to see how much water they have in them. Then I judge by this just how much "dry gas" or "gas line antifreeze" I add to the tank each winter. I replace the ones on the state boats in the fall when I winterize the boats. I then dump in enough dry gas to treat the amount of gas in each tank. I also am a huge believer/user of StaBil at this time too. Keep an oil filter wrench on hand (on board?) to change out the filter. The gas really makes the filters tough to get off compared to an oil filter. The gas must affect the rubber gasket material. I only put them on tight enough so they don't leak. About a 1/4 turn with the wrench past what I can do with my hand.
You also asked about what it feels like when they get "full". Well it feels like what you would expect when you have water in the fuel. Backfire, sluggish, stumbling. When they are clean the boat runs great.
Finally, make sure to install them in a place with easy access. If they are difficult to reach they will be difficult to change! Especially if you need to really put some muscle behind the wrench to get them off.
[signature]