Kawi 1100 STX In-Line Fuel Filter/Water Restrictor

[SurfBeat]

While cruising the Colorado River in Earp, CA last week one of my STX's started to hesitate a tad at WOT, so, presuming I was experiencing a fuel delivery issue I decided the easy/first fix was to replace the in-line fuel filter. Well, when I got home and called the Kawi dealer I was told the price was $38. IMO, that price is not only outrageous, but obscene.

The dealer told me that the reason for the high price was the fact the fuel filter also is a water restrictor.

Before I go out and pay such an outrageous price for a measly fuel filter, an item that IMO should be replaced every year, I thought the wise course of action was to get some advice on the Forum.

So fellow PWCers, I would appreciate some guidance.

Have a great PWC summer in the interim.

 

[nevitt4]

did u look for like on ebay or somewhere else, does the ski another water seperater

 

[SurfBeat]

My middle name is Thrifty, (oops, Cheap) so the answer is yes to your question whether I searched e-bay and other places for a fuel filter. I saw several used filters for sale on e-bay. That was odd!!! IMO, who, with any common sense, would purchase a used filter?

The Jet Ski has a filter screen on top of the fuel tank as well as a common looking three inch plastic barrel type fuel filter adjacent to the carbs.

I am wondering if the "water separator" moniker is just hype, a way for the manufacturer to make more money on its fuel filter? IMO, is not that the task of all filters? Or maybe marine filters are manufactured to different standards?

I recall last summer that Dr. Honda, or maybe it was someone else, posted a thread on installing a in-line filter on Sea Doo's. Before I posted this Thread I conducted a search to find it, however, no such luck in locating it. I do, however, recall that the author of the Thread stated the filter was obtained at Auto Zone or O'reilly's.

Ah ah, there it is on the bottom of this page. Duh! I am dumb: I a retired detective and can't detect a simple Thread. Let me pull it up.

You can find more info on In Line Fuel Filters in the How To-Tech section of the Forum: How To: "Adding an in-line filter" posted on August 3, 2010 and authored by none other than Dr. H.

Now I am going to ask Dr. H whether he knows if all fuel filters act as a water separator? I never heard of that term. I know older Doo's have a screen to catch debris exiting the gas tank towards the carbs, but, I don't know if the screen is actually a "water separator," a fuel filter, or both.

If it is, then, Kawi is really ripping off the consumer because the screen/filter for a SD costs less than ten bucks and Kawi wants $38.

 

[Dennis]

I can tell you for a fact that there is nothing special about the factory kawasaki filter. It's just a inline fuel filter....that's all.

You can see inside of it and see water if there is some lying on the lower side but it in no way actually filters water from going past it and into the carbs. Kawasakis $38 filter is just a rip off...plain and simple. :cheers: