Only way to deal with water in fuel

[adracer]

Was about to pull what little hair I had left out due to chronic contaminated fuel issue. Learned the valuable lesson the hard way. Go buy as many 5 gallon pails as required for fuel (with lids). Raise bow as far as possible. Rig electric fuel pump and remove as much fuel as possible through engine fuel supply line. Remove fuel tank access or fuel sending unit. Pump remainder of fuel from here. I got over 2 1/2 gallons of pure water, varnish, sludge, $@*&, etc from this point. Use cotton wiping cloths to clean and absolutely dry tank, adding a little acetone to the cloth will help. By now any water that may have been pumped out with your fuel will have settled. Pump each pail of fuel through a 21-10 micron fuel water separater rigged with a clear vinyl discharge line and back into the tank. Water will be visible and easily prevented from pumping. No Smoking please. This past weekend I solved my issue and salvaged over 70 gallons of fuel to boot. At $2.70 per gallon I easily paid for the $50 worth of fuel pump, hose and 5 gallon pails. Be careful and good luck. In all I ended up with just over 4 gallons of water. Just too much to deal with passively.

 

[JB]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Cool and well thought out solution, Racer.

However, I still believe that there is no "only" way to do anything.

 

[erniefish]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

doing the same thing to a friends boat, told my 20 yr old, hey i have some "just ok gas for you" she bit like a mako on a bluefish, i will burn it in my tractor or she can in her hyandai

 

[Triton II]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Hey Racer,

Good solution to your water in fuel issue but I have a question: how did four gallons of water get in your tank in the first place?

TII

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

I use this method at the shop and it works great.I use a clear 55 gallon drum and add some food coloring this makes the water highly visible and won't mix with gas.

 

[adracer]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Hey Racer,

Good solution to your water in fuel issue but I have a question: how did four gallons of water get in your tank in the first place?

TII

A point I have pondered. I bought this boat "as is" for a restoration project. Know almost nothing about it's history. It's very solid and the project has gone well. Among the myriad of things removed from the gas tank was a small leaf and two intact and preserved fiddler crabs.
I have confirmed that the fill and vent hose are in good shape and well connected on both ends. The fill cap has a good gasket and a new O ring.
This boat is a 1996 model so it very well could have sat idle for years. The seller filled it with fuel and put on a new fuel/water seperator before selling.
After cleaning and drying the tank I took it out and ran it on a portable tank for a while. Brought it back and re-inspected the tank and it was still dry.
I'll take any and all ideas on how the water entered the tank.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

I know of one instance where young grandson at dock with garden hose filled "paw-paw's" fuel tank with water...cost 'em a bundle in repairs, problems, injectors, headaches, etc. Wound up installing new aluminum tank with a drain valve/pipe plug.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

if this fuel contained ethanol then most likly all the savings on gas will be spent on pistons.
the water and the ethanol seperate leaving the base fuel stock at about 75 octane.
but you go, us techs need shoes too.

 

[adracer]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Did I fail to mention the xylene. Acetone to help dry and clean. A little xylene and octane boost for, shall we say, vitamins for iron poor blood.
Us electrical and chemical guys like wearing shoes also. Good point though Rodbolt, as always.
Hey rodbolt I'm now convinced there are no mechanical malfunctions, just bad fuel. lol

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

low octane or bad fuel DOES lead to mechanical issues.
did 2 powerheads in the past two weeks and another showed up today with the piston crown so detonated the top ring was exposed.
after I send the injectors out to insure it was not an injector lean out that caused the detonation then I lean towards the last time fuel was added was last august.
bad fuel can and will detonate pistons, more so on EFI motors without knock sensors.
octane boost is snake oil if the fuel has soured,the rest is simply to aid in cleaning the goo in the tank.
however any goo in the tank AND fuel lines will be placed it the VST or carb fuel bowls where it WILL lean it out.
POOF.
daddy gots some new shoes.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Thanks for the reply Racer. Guess it'll be a mystery for now. Hope she's fighting fit mechanically as Rodbolt has more than enough to do!

TII

 

[mommicked]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

I have convinced my wife that I "have to go run the gas out of the boat before it goes bad", from time to time, i.e. go fishing,by showing her many different posts about e-10/ethanol. Thank You! Rodbolt and everyone else!!.you have helped me stop, and try to prevent future e10 problems I was having, and I have another excuse (see wife) to go ride in my boat!!! I think I might burn that fuel in my lawnmower or mix it w fresh?to save money. my outboard cost too much to take chances!The instructions for removing the water are excellent,and should be patented!! thank you all again.

 

[adracer]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Rodbolt I've found xylene, toluene, ethanol, methanol, and acetone to be valid additives for fuel that may be a bit below par. Nothing can take the place of clean fresh fuel. Ethanol/methanol is a staple of biodiesel. While ethanol is hygroscopic it isn't quite the urban legend many belive it to be.
I've often thought of opening a chain of pure ethanol gas stations and operate them under the name "Drink and Drive".

 

[hobohro]

Re: Only way to deal with water in fuel

Adracer, Let me know when you open your 1st station. I will make it a point to stop and test your product.
hobo