Brass fuel filter?

[Bgammon]

I have an all brass fuel filter that is a mystery to me and would like any advise from someone that has one like it. It is on my 82 H30. It is about 8 inches tall and 3.5 inches in diameter and mounted on the engine bulkhead. It has a drain screw at the bottom and screw cap at the top. Bottom line is that I am hesitant to mess with something that is not broken but I know time will catch up with me. I have owned the boat 2 years and cannot locate the prior owner. I do not know if it has a filter in it or it is just a bowl to catch water in the bottom. I do not see a name but someone told me it may be an old Perko. If you know anything about this unit I would be interested in how to check and maintain it then reprime the unit after maintenance, before I start taking it apart. Thanks.

 

[Jim]

filter

You have to mess with it before it messes with you. For starters, drain the filter by removing the screw on the bottom. This will get rid of water. Note the condition of fuel that comes out. Is it dirty? You should replace the bronze filter inside by unscrewing the the top. You may be able to take the filter and blowing it out with compressed air. I don't know if this is acceptable. I would put in a new one and keep the old one for a spare after you blow it out. After removing the top and filter look inside to see if there is any goo or dirt in the bottom and remove. When I bought my boat it had been in storage a couple of years and when I drained the filter, the fuel was black. I didn't take any chances, I pumped the tank out and put in fresh fuel.

 

[David]

Perko

I have one of those Perko filters on my boat. I replace the element and clean the bowl each year. The plug screw at the bottom allows one to drain water and other contaminents without pulling the element fromn the top. Because there is no sight glass I was going to replace it with a new filter assembly. But they are not inexpensive and the perko elements are available.