Yesterday during a 40 mile motor/sail the engine mounted fuel filter developed a spraying leak. I couldn't believe my eyes. The spin-on Wix filter was spraying fuel out the bottom of the filter. The filter was a unknown age, but looked brand new. It had rusted out from the inside! There was a lot of rust!
Not a bit of rust on the outside.
I will now be changing this filter due to age.
How often due people change these filters? I change the primary every two seasons or when the vacuum increases. I wasn't planning on changing this filter on a regular basis.
I drain the water separator about once a month. I have never seen any water. I have only had the boat a year.
Has anyone seen this before? Never thought of a filter rusting out.
This makes for one heck of a mess! I was going to take some pictures of the filter but forgot.
Chuck Lennox
97 MKii Ventura Ca
Island Girl Hull #1611
Chuck,
I've never heard of that before, but I change my fuel filter every other year, along with the Racor fuel filter. Perhaps a defective Wix filter? I have also seen little or no water in the Racor, but drain off a few ounces every other month or so during the season, as a precaution. Hope this helps.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
Sure does suggest water collected at the bottom of the filter. Either before it was installed or during operation. Maybe the PO had let water get through the RACOR and it's been sitting at the bottom all this time.....
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
David S. Power
Two If By Sea #1687
Burnt Store Marina
Punta Gorda, FL