1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

[Bcrowe]

Ok guys I just pulled another bone head move. I bought this boat after it sat for over a year. The mistake I made was not making sure the fuel tank was completely empty before I fueled the boat for the first time. I incorrectly thought that with it sitting for over a year the tank would be bone dry. I attempted to start the engine and would start and run fine from a gas can. I connected the fuel line and proceeded to fill the tank with 26 gallons of gas, thinking I was ready to head to the lake. Now the engine won't start. I disconnected the fuel line to make sure I was getting fuel to the carb and most of what I got was water with a hint of gas. After pumping for awhile I now have mostly gas. Is there anything I can do to separate the rest of the water from the fuel and make the fuel usable? I would like to save myself the 60 bucks its gonna cost me to fill it up again but am thinking this is going to be a lesson well learned. Also if I must drain the tank any advice on the best and safest way to do this would be greatly appreciated. Also I am assuming that once I get the tank empty I will need to replace the water/fuel separator filter. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance,
Brad

 

[rbh]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

"if you put the gas in the freezer the wife will kill you" but it works.
rob

 

[WizeOne]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

Clean the carb float bowls and just use it. I would put on a fresh fuel water seperator cartdridge on it then be sure to change it again at the end of the season. My experience is that those are best pre-filled with gas before you screw them on.

It is pointless with today's gas to use an alcohol based water disbursement fuel additive.

The question remaining is how did the tank get so much water in it?

 

[Bcrowe]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

Wize that was my question also. The only thing I can come up with is one of two things. The tank has a screw on chrome gas cap and it appears the o-ring is shot on it or that it wasnt properly closed. The other possible source i came up with was the the prior owner(THE IDIOT) as i like to call him was planning on changing the bow tank to a below deck tank and had the filler tube 1/2 way dislodged when i bought it but the clamp was still on tight so i dont know how water would have gotten past the filler into the inlet hose...but anything is possible.

Wise you really think it is ok to use it as long as it appears that i have more gas than water coming out of my supply line to the carb? I mean still cant get the dang thing to fire.

 

[rbh]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

water in fuel is not good, one cup or one gallon! all joking aside the freezer works if you are so inclined?
other wise bite the bullet, store it for whatever, and replace!
rob

 

[Bcrowe]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

Thanks guys for your help. I drained about 10 gallons of the gas and put it in the deep freeze. No wife to tick off so im good there. I then took a small sample and put it in a glass jar so i could see the water separate out and much to my amazement no water. Cleaned the carb as Wize suggested...and the dang thing started...so now im out of my ticked off mood and going to the lake tomorrow..Yiiipppppeeee!!!!!....
thanks again for all your help....the folks on here are a god send

 

[rbh]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

how many gassey ice cubes you get?
rob

 

[Bcrowe]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

seven...had to use multiple containers to get 10 gal out of it. that was a great tip rob...dont know why i didnt think about it.
I knew I could count on my pals here at iboats

 

[WizeOne]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

i've used a 5 gal drinking water bottle (see thru) to settle out water, then siphoned the gas off just short of sucking up the water. The only problem is that those bottles do not like gasoline and soon cloud up and crack.

Glad you followed the common sense approach and got it running. Do change your filter. It is probably saturated with water.

 

[gadget73]

Re: 1975 302 Ford 888 mercruiser--Water in FUEL

Carry a couple spare filters onboard too. Trust me on this, you will need them. Even if you don't, its much more convenient to change a filter somewhere on the water than it is to get towed in for lack of a spare filter.