Wellcraft Boat Owners Forum

Hi,
Last summer I bought a 1988 Wellcraft 192 Classic. Before I winterized it, I ran the fuel out. After that I have been unable to start it without using starting fluid and having a bear of a time. When I took it to have it shrink wrapped, they could not get it started. They suspect I may have a lot of debris in the carb due to emptying the tank (I put fresh fuel and dry gas in shortly after). They advised me to change the fuel filter / separator. I cannot find a fuel filter / water separator anywhere. The fuel hose comes out of the fuel tank and directly down to the fuel pump then up to the carburetor. Should I install a separator and is this unusual for this boat? They guy I bought it from overhauled the engine and did a really crappy job of it. Thanks for any advice or assistance you can offer.

YES is the best answer but any type of inline filter would help, also a back flow valve if there's not one already on it

Yes, I like the Racor spin on type. Also change the fuel line between the tank and fuel pump if it has not been recently done.

I bought a Moeller Clear Site water separation fuel filter (spin on type) to install. Yesterday I opened the boat to asses how I wanted to install the separator. I wanted to check the fuel hose and the fuel filter in the carburetor. After removing the fuel line at the carburetor I removed the fuel filter and found it clean, almost like new. I noticed there was no fuel in the line though. I took the bowl off the fuel pump and it has some kind of ceramic(?) filter. I cannot tell the condition of it because I don't know what it is supposed to look like and the Seloc Service manual I bought makes no mention, only shows a paper filter. I bought a new rubber fuel line to replace the line from the tank to the fuel pump (as Billm suggested) and I plan to install a back flow valve as suggested by CptBill (if I can figure out where to get one and how to install it). A friend suggested eliminating the mechanical fuel pump and installing an electric pump but I cannot see this as any advantage. Any thoughts or suggestions?