FCC Filter?

[McCannLand]

Yep, every 200 hours. This is the interval specified in the engine owner's manual.

-Charles

That’s interesting, what power plant? My 2011 ZR409 (6.0L) manual says “service or replace ... every 50 hours ... replace at least once a year or when a power loss is noticed”. That said It also says “to be performed by authorized PCM Engines Premier dealer”.

In truth, I do the service or replacement of everything on my boat. I replace the primary fuel filter every 50 hours (with oil change) and always carry a spare (in a dry box with spare impellers and o-rings). I drain and inspect (service) the FCC element every oil change and replace the FCC element every 150 hours (determined after multiple inspections).


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[charlesml3]

That’s interesting, what power plant? My 2011 ZR409 (6.0L) manual says “service or replace ... every 50 hours ... replace at least once a year or when a power loss is noticed”. That said It also says “to be performed by authorized PCM Engines Premier dealer”.

In truth, I do the service or replacement of everything on my boat. I replace the primary fuel filter every 50 hours (with oil change) and always carry a spare (in a dry box with spare impellers and o-rings). I drain and inspect (service) the FCC element every oil change and replace the FCC element every 150 hours (determined after multiple inspections).


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There are two different filters. The fuel/water separator filter is the spin-on canister. It should be replaced every 50 hours. I do mine with every oil change.

The FCC filter is inside the Fuel Control Cell. It should be changed every 200 hours.

-Charles

[scottb7]

Charles, can you post pic of what manual says every 200? Cause below from my manual shows "filters", plural and is as post above describes. Once a year or 50.

[charlesml3]

The service manager at WLM tells me:

- Fuel/Water separator filter every 50 hours

- FCC Filter every 200 hours

I've done this for 20 years now across two different boats. The results speak for themselves. I don't know anybody that changes the FCC filter every 50 hours. It's a PITA to change and with the fuel-water separator in front of it, you're highly unlikely to see any debris in the FCC canister anyway.

[scottb7]

Yep, every 200 hours. This is the interval specified in the engine owner's manual.

-Charles

You were saying...

[McCannLand]

The service manager at WLM tells me:

- Fuel/Water separator filter every 50 hours

- FCC Filter every 200 hours

I've done this for 20 years now across two different boats. The results speak for themselves. I don't know anybody that changes the FCC filter every 50 hours. It's a PITA to change and with the fuel-water separator in front of it, you're highly unlikely to see any debris in the FCC canister anyway.

So when you say "Fuel/Water separator filter" do you mean the Primary Fuel Pre-Filter#: R077019 (Spin-on type)? This filter (as I previously just described as a Primary Fuel Filter) is just a fuel filter, it's not a water separator.

Per all the EFI PCM manuals I've reviewed (and I don't claim to have reviewed them all) the only water separation is provided by the Fuel Control Cell (FCC).

Referring to the Primary Fuel Filter as a water separator is quite confusing to me as I have not seen this set-up, are some of your power plants fitted with after market Fuel Filter/Water Separators like "Racor" or something similar?

Don't get me wrong I certainly think replacement of the FCC filter element at 50 hour intervals is excessive and I'm not advocating for that. I made the personal decision to move to a interval of 150 hours after multiple inspections. When Charles said "Yep, every 200 hours. This is the interval specified in the engine owner's manual" I was like cool, they fixed that, and wanted to read what it said. However it doesn't appear to be the case, as all the PCM manuals I could find appear to say exactly the same thing that mine says. If someone can reference a PCM manual that contradicts this please do.

[charlesml3]

Good grief. OK, let's try this again. There are a lot of factors that go into this.

First of all, the .pdf manual we're all so focused on is from 2014 and hasn't been updated since them. In addition, it's inconsistent. In one chart they say to replace the "fuel filters" every 50 hours, in another block of text they say yearly or whenever engine performance suffers. Now anyone here that waits for engine performance to suffer as an indication that the fuel filters need to be changed is... well.... I'll just leave it at that.

There are two filters: Here's the primary: https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...s-pcm-r077019/ "Fuel Filter – High Performance PCM – used on 2011 to now Nautiques. This is a high performance fuel/water separating filter – 90gph/10 micron filtration – over 90% efficiency" This is why I call it the "fuel/water separating filter." This is the description right off the NautiqueParts website.

It distinguishes it from the FCC fuel filter which is this one: https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...part-rp080026/.

I talk to my mechanic and service manager at WLM on a regular basis. They keep me updated with the latest information coming from Nautique and PCM. Over the past 20 years, that message has been consistent. "Oil, oil filter, and primary (fuel/water) filter every 50 hours. FCC filter every 200 hours." This is what I have. If you're still unsure, I'd recommend you contact the service manager at your dealer.

-Charles

[McCannLand]

Good grief. OK, let's try this again. There are a lot of factors that go into this.

First of all, the .pdf manual we're all so focused on is from 2014 and hasn't been updated since them. In addition, it's inconsistent. In one chart they say to replace the "fuel filters" every 50 hours, in another block of text they say yearly or whenever engine performance suffers. Now anyone here that waits for engine performance to suffer as an indication that the fuel filters need to be changed is... well.... I'll just leave it at that.

There are two filters: Here's the primary: https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...s-pcm-r077019/ "Fuel Filter – High Performance PCM – used on 2011 to now Nautiques. This is a high performance fuel/water separating filter – 90gph/10 micron filtration – over 90% efficiency" This is why I call it the "fuel/water separating filter." This is the description right off the NautiqueParts website.

It distinguishes it from the FCC fuel filter which is this one: https://www.nautiqueparts.com/produc...part-rp080026/.

I talk to my mechanic and service manager at WLM on a regular basis. They keep me updated with the latest information coming from Nautique and PCM. Over the past 20 years, that message has been consistent. "Oil, oil filter, and primary (fuel/water) filter every 50 hours. FCC filter every 200 hours." This is what I have. If you're still unsure, I'd recommend you contact the service manager at your dealer.

-Charles

I certainly see why you say fuel/water separator filter (learn something every day). Although they must not have much confidence in it's water separating ability as the engineers took the outlet from that filter an went straight to a unit with real water separating capability and a drainable bowl. Then identified that unit (FCC) as being required to (among other things) provide the necessary filtration and water separation ... priceless.

So it seems we all agree the suggested FCC fuel filter replacement interval identified in the manual has historically been successfully extended. Per Charles the service manager at WLM has identified that extension at 200 hours. However no one has a PCM document to substantiate that and if your unsure contact your dealer. Good stuff.

[GMLIII]

In my G23 I change my main fuel filter every 50 hours and FCC filter every 200. The FCC filter is a pain in the rear to change therefore I will change it at no less than 200 hour increments

[charlesml3]

went straight to a unit with real water separating capability and a drainable bowl. Then identified that unit (FCC) as being required to (among other things) provide the necessary filtration and water separation ... priceless.

Wait... no. The plug in the bottom of the FCC canister is not for draining water. There's a brass plug there that's intended to be used to drain the fuel out of the canister if you need to remove it to replace the filter or pump. It has nothing to do with water.

Now that said, this is one of those things that sounds good on paper but is really rather impractical. On v-drive boats, there's almost always something in the way. You just cannot get a suitable container underneath the canister to catch the fuel when you remove the plug. On inboards, the canister is right out there in the open so it's really easier to just remove the band and slide the canister down and out of the boat, fuel and all.

ALL of this said, these service intervals are not absolute numbers. If your fuel source is prone to debris or water, then you should obviously change these filters more often. If you have a 500 gallon tank on your lot and every gallon that comes out passes through a separator and a fine filter, then you may be able to extend these intervals out beyond what's documented.

-Charles

[McCannLand]

Wait... no. The plug in the bottom of the FCC canister is not for draining water. There's a brass plug there that's intended to be used to drain the fuel out of the canister if you need to remove it to replace the filter or pump. It has nothing to do with water.

I think you need to read your manual with an open mind. As previously stated it indicates function of the FCC, filtration and water separation is part of its function. The “Servicing the FCC section” identifies the frequency of draining water and replacing the filter element is determined by the contamination level of the fuel. Draining is detailed in the draining section and cautions that both fuel and water will drain from the bowl. The latter being typical of conventional fuel water separators. It then details tightening the plug, cycling the ignition and checking for leaks. Yes, of course you do need to drain the bowl before replacing the filter element, that’s why the filter replacement section repeats the draining procedure before moving on with the replacement details.

I know your feelings on the manual (saying it’s out of date and inconsistent, kinda weird since you brought the manual to the conversation) however I think it’s an important baseline and worth referencing for anyone following along or searching this later. Saying the plug on the bottom of the FCC is not for draining water or that it has nothing to do with water or your assertion of 200 hours on FCC filter replacement is NOT SUPPORTED by the MANUAL end of story.


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[GMLIII]

Wait... no. The plug in the bottom of the FCC canister is not for draining water. There's a brass plug there that's intended to be used to drain the fuel out of the canister if you need to remove it to replace the filter or pump. It has nothing to do with water.

Now that said, this is one of those things that sounds good on paper but is really rather impractical. On v-drive boats, there's almost always something in the way. You just cannot get a suitable container underneath the canister to catch the fuel when you remove the plug. On inboards, the canister is right out there in the open so it's really easier to just remove the band and slide the canister down and out of the boat, fuel and all.

ALL of this said, these service intervals are not absolute numbers. If your fuel source is prone to debris or water, then you should obviously change these filters more often. If you have a 500 gallon tank on your lot and every gallon that comes out passes through a separator and a fine filter, then you may be able to extend these intervals out beyond what's documented.

-Charles

I cut a 2 liter beverage bottle in half and place it under the FCC canister to drain it before removing the filter, and it works well

[greggmck]

I cut a 2 liter beverage bottle in half and place it under the FCC canister to drain it before removing the filter, and it works well

I try to do most of my routine maintenance. But I have never changed the FCC, simply because it was convenient to have the dealer do it at the end of the season. But I would like to add that to my list. Are there any other tricks or advice that others experienced in changing this filter could offer? Thanks!

[charlesml3]

I try to do most of my routine maintenance. But I have never changed the FCC, simply because it was convenient to have the dealer do it at the end of the season. But I would like to add that to my list. Are there any other tricks or advice that others experienced in changing this filter could offer? Thanks!

It really isn't that bad. First thing you need to do is get a good look at it and figure out if there's anything in the way. On my 230, there's a steering bracket right under the FCC canister. It makes getting some kind of container under it to catch the fuel impossible. So it is what it is.

These newer styles are held on with a band clamp at the top of the FCC. You have to loosen it quite a bit to get the canister to drop down. If it's full of fuel, you'll most likely spill at least a little into the bilge. Keep plenty of rags down there to catch it. Since I couldn't drain it ahead of time, I just lowered it down enough to use my oil extractor to draw most of the fuel out.

Once that's done, get the old filter out and look in the bottom of the canister for any debris. Unlikely you'll see any, but if it's there clean that out.

The filter kit comes with a couple of big O-rings. One for the new style and one for the old style FCC. Only one will fit. Use a toothpick to get the old one off the FCC and replace it. Get the canister back up and on, replace and tighten the clamp.

It's best to prime it before you start the engine. Enter your code and hit the Start button. Wait a few seconds and hit the Stop. I usually do this 3 times to make sure the FCC is full. Look for any leaks. If that's good start the engine and again, look for leaks.

That's about it.

[greggmck]

It really isn't that bad. First thing you need to do is get a good look at it and figure out if there's anything in the way. On my 230, there's a steering bracket right under the FCC canister. It makes getting some kind of container under it to catch the fuel impossible. So it is what it is.

These newer styles are held on with a band clamp at the top of the FCC. You have to loosen it quite a bit to get the canister to drop down. If it's full of fuel, you'll most likely spill at least a little into the bilge. Keep plenty of rags down there to catch it. Since I couldn't drain it ahead of time, I just lowered it down enough to use my oil extractor to draw most of the fuel out.

Once that's done, get the old filter out and look in the bottom of the canister for any debris. Unlikely you'll see any, but if it's there clean that out.

The filter kit comes with a couple of big O-rings. One for the new style and one for the old style FCC. Only one will fit. Use a toothpick to get the old one off the FCC and replace it. Get the canister back up and on, replace and tighten the clamp.

It's best to prime it before you start the engine. Enter your code and hit the Start button. Wait a few seconds and hit the Stop. I usually do this 3 times to make sure the FCC is full. Look for any leaks. If that's good start the engine and again, look for leaks.

That's about it.

Very helpful. I especially like the idea of using a fluid extractor to empty the fuel of the container. I've got a small sized extractor I use to change trans fluid that would be ideal for this too. Thanks a ton!