Yanmar 3YM30 Marine Engine Fuel Filter Replacement: Which Filter Do You Need?
You're servicing your Yanmar 3YM30 marine engine and it's time to change the fuel filter.
Maybe you're doing routine maintenance before the season starts.
Maybe the engine has become harder to start.
Or perhaps you've found water or dirt in the fuel system and want to change the filter before going any further.
You search:
“Yanmar 3YM30 marine engine fuel filter replacement.”
This one is thankfully more straightforward than many marine-engine parts searches.
A key Yanmar reference for the 3YM30 is:
104500-55710 — Fuel filter element
But before changing it, there are a few useful things to know.
What Is the Fuel Filter Part Number for a Yanmar 3YM30?
For the Yanmar 3YM30, the documented engine fuel-filter element is:
104500-55710 — Fuel Filter Element
The 3YM30 parts catalogue lists one 104500-55710 element per engine in the fuel-pipe and fuel-strainer arrangement.
The same filter reference is also widely associated with other smaller Yanmar marine engines.
That doesn't mean you should automatically assume every Yanmar uses it.
But for an applicable 3YM30, 104500-55710 is an important reference to know.
Yanmar 3YM30 Fuel Filter Part Numbers
The documented 3YM30 fuel-filter arrangement includes:
| Part NumberDescription | |
| 104500-55710 | Fuel filter element |
| 128990-55600 | Fuel strainer assembly |
| 121370-55730 | Strainer cup |
| 110250-55610 | Retaining ring |
| 24341-000440 | O-ring |
| 101720-55750 | Plug |
| 23418-060000 | Gasket |
These numbers are useful when you need more than just the filter element.
For a normal filter service, 104500-55710 is the main number most owners will be looking for.
Does 104500-55710 Fit the Yanmar 3YM30AE?
104500-55710 is also listed for the Yanmar 3YM30AE in marine-parts applications.
However, don't use that as a reason to assume every component on a 3YM30 and 3YM30AE is interchangeable.
They belong to the same wider YM family, but parts should still be checked against the exact engine.
For additional components, visit our Yanmar 3YM30AE Marine Engine Parts page.
Is the 104500-55710 a Complete Fuel Filter Assembly?
No.
This is an important distinction.
104500-55710 is the fuel-filter element.
The documented 3YM30 fuel-strainer assembly is:
128990-55600 — Fuel strainer assembly
So if your existing housing is healthy and you're simply carrying out routine maintenance, you probably don't need an entire filter assembly.
You may only need the filter element and applicable sealing components.
If the housing, cup or other parts are damaged, that's a different situation.
What Is Yanmar 128990-55600?
128990-55600 is the documented fuel-strainer assembly in the applicable Yanmar 3YM30 fuel system.
The assembly contains several serviceable components.
That includes the filter element itself:
104500-55710
and components such as the strainer cup, retaining ring and O-ring.
This distinction can save money.
If all you need is a routine fuel-filter change, don't automatically order an entire strainer assembly.
What Is Yanmar 24341-000440?
24341-000440 is the O-ring listed in the applicable 3YM30 fuel-strainer arrangement.
Small sealing components are easy to overlook when ordering maintenance parts.
But an old, hardened or damaged O-ring can cause problems after the new filter is installed.
If you're servicing the filter housing, inspect the sealing components rather than automatically reusing everything.
How Do I Know My Yanmar 3YM30 Fuel Filter Needs Replacing?
Fuel filters are maintenance components.
Ideally, you replace them according to the engine's maintenance schedule rather than waiting until the engine starts telling you something is wrong.
But a restricted or contaminated fuel filter can contribute to symptoms such as:
- Difficult starting
- Loss of power
- Poor acceleration
- Uneven running
- Engine speed dropping under load
- Engine stopping unexpectedly
- Fuel starvation
Here's the important part:
Those symptoms don't automatically mean the filter is bad.
They can also come from other fuel-system or engine problems.
The filter is simply one of the first sensible things to inspect when fuel supply is questionable.
My Yanmar 3YM30 Loses Power Under Load. Could It Be the Fuel Filter?
Yes, it could.
Imagine the engine starts normally at the dock.
At idle, everything seems fine.
You leave the marina and increase the load.
The engine won't reach normal rpm or gradually starts losing power.
A restricted fuel filter is one possible cause because the engine's fuel demand increases under load.
But don't stop your diagnosis there.
Also consider:
- Blocked tank pickup
- Contaminated fuel
- Water in the fuel
- Restricted fuel line
- Air entering the fuel system
- Fuel lift/feed problem
- Injection-system problem
- Tank vent restriction
Changing the fuel filter is sensible maintenance.
Changing filters repeatedly without finding the contamination or restriction isn't.
I Changed the Fuel Filter and Now the Engine Won't Start
This is a very common situation.
The engine ran before the filter change.
You install the new filter.
Now it cranks but doesn't start.
Before assuming you've installed the wrong filter, think about air in the fuel system.
Opening the fuel system during filter replacement can introduce air.
The fuel system therefore needs to be correctly bled according to the applicable Yanmar procedure.
Also check that:
- Fuel cock is open
- Filter is installed correctly
- Sealing surfaces are clean
- O-ring isn't pinched
- Connections are tight
- Fuel is reaching the filter
- No air is being drawn into the system
A filter replacement can be mechanically perfect and the engine still won't start if air remains in the fuel system.
Should I Fill the New Fuel Filter With Diesel Before Installing It?
Follow the correct Yanmar procedure for the engine and filter arrangement.
The most important thing is to use clean fuel, prevent contamination from entering the system and correctly bleed the fuel system after service.
Don't pour diesel from a dirty container into a new filter just because you're trying to make bleeding faster.
You're replacing the filter to keep contamination away from the injection system.
Introducing dirt during installation defeats the purpose.
Do I Need to Bleed the Yanmar 3YM30 After Changing the Fuel Filter?
Yes, if air has entered the fuel system during service, it needs to be removed.
This is one of the most important steps after fuel-filter replacement.
Air in a diesel fuel system can result in:
Cranking without starting
Starting and then stopping
Rough running immediately after service
Uneven fuel delivery
If your 3YM30 ran normally before the filter replacement but won't start afterwards, air in the fuel system should be high on the list of things to check.
Can I Use the Starter Motor to Bleed the Fuel System?
Don't continuously crank the engine hoping that eventually all the air disappears.
Use the correct fuel-system bleeding procedure.
Extended starter operation can overheat or damage the starter and discharge the battery.
If the engine doesn't start after the filter change, check the bleeding procedure and fuel supply rather than repeatedly cranking it.
What If I Find Water in the Fuel Filter?
Don't just empty the water and forget about it.
Ask:
Where did the water come from?
A small amount of contamination may have accumulated over time.
But significant or repeated water contamination deserves investigation.
Check the fuel tank and fuel supply as appropriate.
If you repeatedly find water in the filter, replacing 104500-55710 again and again isn't addressing the source of the problem.
What If the Old Fuel Filter Is Full of Dirt?
The filter has done its job.
But again, ask where the contamination came from.
If the old filter is heavily contaminated, inspect the wider fuel system as appropriate.
Possible sources include:
- Dirty fuel
- Tank contamination
- Sediment
- Corrosion
- Microbial contamination
- Contaminated fuel containers
- Poor fuel-transfer practices
Installing a clean filter into a heavily contaminated system may only give you a short period before the new filter becomes restricted too.
Should I Carry a Spare 104500-55710 Fuel Filter Onboard?
For a Yanmar-powered sailing yacht or cruising boat, carrying spare fuel filters makes good practical sense.
Fuel contamination doesn't always happen conveniently beside a marina.
A small spare filter can potentially save a lot of trouble.
For an applicable Yanmar 3YM30, write this number in your maintenance records:
104500-55710 — Fuel filter element
I'd also record:
Engine model
Engine serial number
Oil-filter number
Impeller number
Drive-belt number
That gives you a simple maintenance-spares reference for the engine.
Does the Yanmar 3YM20 Use the Same Fuel Filter?
104500-55710 is also documented for the Yanmar 3YM20.
That's useful if you maintain several smaller Yanmar engines.
But don't assume all service components are interchangeable just because one filter is shared.
For additional components, visit our Yanmar 3YM20 Marine Engine Parts page.
What About the Yanmar 2YM15?
The 104500-55710 fuel-filter element is also used in applicable Yanmar 2YM15 applications.
Again, that's a good example of one maintenance part being shared across several engines in the YM family.
For the rest of the engine, identify parts separately.
The 2YM15, 3YM20 and 3YM30/3YM30AE shouldn't be treated as identical engines simply because they share some maintenance components.
Can I Use an Aftermarket Fuel Filter Instead?
There are replacement filters cross-referenced to Yanmar 104500-55710.
Whether you want genuine Yanmar, OEM-quality or an appropriate replacement depends on your maintenance requirements and availability.
What matters is that the filter is correctly specified for the application.
Don't select a filter simply because:
“It looks about the same size.”
Fuel filtration protects the injection pump and injectors.
It's not an area where we'd recommend guessing.
Yanmar 3YM30 Fuel Filter Replacement: A Practical Checklist
Before starting:
1. Confirm the engine model
Make sure you're working with a 3YM30, 3YM30AE or another YM variant.
2. Confirm the filter
For an applicable 3YM30:
104500-55710 — Fuel filter element
3. Shut the engine down
Work on the fuel system with the engine stopped.
4. Close the fuel supply as required
Avoid unnecessary fuel leakage.
5. Keep everything clean
Clean around the filter before opening the system.
6. Remove the old filter
Pay attention to the condition of the fuel and filter element.
7. Inspect the filter housing
Check the cup, sealing surfaces, O-ring and associated components.
8. Install the correct new filter
Make sure seals are positioned correctly.
9. Restore the fuel supply
Check that all connections are secure.
10. Bleed the fuel system
Remove air according to the correct engine procedure.
11. Start the engine
Let it run and check carefully for fuel leakage.
12. Recheck under normal operation
Make sure the engine runs normally after the service.
Yanmar 3YM30 Fuel Filter FAQs
What is the fuel filter part number for a Yanmar 3YM30?
The documented fuel-filter element is:
104500-55710 — Fuel filter element
The 3YM30 parts catalogue lists one element per engine.
Does 104500-55710 fit the Yanmar 3YM30AE?
Yes, 104500-55710 is also listed for applicable 3YM30AE applications.
For other components, check the complete engine model and serial number rather than assuming every 3YM30 component fits the 3YM30AE.
What is the complete fuel-filter assembly for the Yanmar 3YM30?
The documented fuel-strainer assembly is:
128990-55600 — Fuel strainer assembly
The individual filter element is 104500-55710.
What O-ring is used in the Yanmar 3YM30 fuel-filter assembly?
The applicable parts catalogue lists:
24341-000440 — O-ring
Check the exact engine and filter assembly before ordering individual housing components.
Does the Yanmar 3YM20 use 104500-55710?
Yes. 104500-55710 is also used on applicable Yanmar 3YM20 engines.
You can browse our Yanmar 3YM20 Marine Engine Parts page for additional components.
Can a blocked fuel filter cause a Yanmar 3YM30 to lose power?
Yes.
A heavily restricted fuel filter can reduce fuel supply and contribute to poor performance, particularly when fuel demand increases under load.
However, other fuel-system problems can produce similar symptoms.
Why won't my Yanmar 3YM30 start after changing the fuel filter?
Air may have entered the fuel system during the filter change.
Check the fuel supply, filter installation and seals, and bleed the fuel system according to the correct procedure.
Should I replace the filter if I find water in it?
Replacing a contaminated filter can be appropriate, but also investigate the source of the water.
Repeated water contamination indicates that the wider fuel supply deserves attention.
How often should I change the Yanmar 3YM30 fuel filter?
Follow the maintenance schedule for your exact Yanmar engine and operating conditions.
Fuel quality and contamination can require earlier service than a normal scheduled interval.
If the filter becomes contaminated or restricted, don't wait for the next scheduled service simply because the engine hasn't reached a particular number of hours.
Should I carry a spare fuel filter onboard?
For a marine diesel engine, carrying at least one correctly identified spare fuel-filter element is sensible.
For an applicable Yanmar 3YM30, the important reference is:
104500-55710
Related Yanmar Marine Engine Pages
For additional maintenance and engine components, visit:
Yanmar 3YM20 Marine Engine Parts
Yanmar 3YM30AE Marine Engine Parts
Yanmar 3JH40 Marine Engine Parts
Yanmar 4JH45 Marine Engine Parts
For the wider range, browse our Yanmar Marine Engine Parts catalogue.
Need a Yanmar 3YM30 Fuel Filter?
Looking for a Yanmar 3YM30 marine engine fuel filter, complete fuel-strainer assembly or other maintenance parts?
Send us:
Engine model
Engine serial number
Existing part number
Required quantity
Other maintenance parts required
Delivery country or port
If you're looking for 104500-55710, include the number in your request together with the complete engine model.