Gas Fuel Problems

[Hunterreaux]

What is the best way to remove and or filter my fuel currently in my vessel? I am willing to use this fuel for other items if needed but I would like to filter the gas fuel and refill my tank. I believe there is water in the fuel tank. Please advise the best way to achieve to required result.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

Welcome to iboats!

To establish if there is water in the gas is easy. Stir it up real good a,d then get a clear glass or jar and fill it up. Cover it and let it sit for about 15 minutes. If there is water ....... it will be visable in the gall or jar. It will separate.

You can shipon the gas off the water (Water settles on the bottom) but you have to control the spihon hose so it only pulls from the top of the tank.

Do it in steps and keep checking it buy filling a jar and waiting for seperation.

Once you spihon out the gas it is a good idea to add a container of dry gas to the gas you removed.

Use it in your lawn mower or just add about 1-2 gallons per week to your truck or car.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

Disconnect the fuel line at the engine and attach a manual or electic pump and pump it out. If the vessel has an anti-siphon valve siphoning will take forever unless there is a good height (five feet or more) between the end receptacle and the outlet of the tank.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

I pumped all the fuel out of my onboard fuel tank when i got it.

You can do one of 2 things, pump the water out of the bottom, or all the fuel out and here is how.

If you just wish to pump just the water out of the bottom of the fuel, you will need to purchase a cheap electric fuel pump from any auto store dc powered.
You will also need about 15 foot of cheap fuel hose from the auto store and clamps to fit the fuel pump.

Install the hose on the fuel pump both ends and cut about five feet on the sucking side of the pump just look for the arrow on the pump.

Remove the fuel pickup tube it's the one where the fuel hose hooks to the tank a 90 degree angel fitting, it's a anti-siphon valve. Unscrew it.

Crank the bow of the boat all the way up, and stick the hose connected to the electric fuel pump 5 feet into the bottom and back of the tank.

Into a clear container pump the water out till you see clean fresh fuel and stop the pump.

Or into a large container pump all the fuel out.

Now check the valve by blowing thru it, check the screen thats its clear.

Install the valve and pickup tube your done.

Question do you have a fuel water separator on the boat, good to have.

Good luck !

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

Ayuh,...

If the Major Issue is Water in the Fuel,....

Just suck the Water from the Bottom of the tank, leaving the Gas to be used....
The Easiest way to do this is,...
Just Run It,+ keep changing out the Fuel Filter,... 2 filters can be rotated thru, til the Water is dealt with...
Dumping it each time you swap it out...When you no longer see Water,... It's Gone...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

My way for sure you get all the crud and water out for sure, fuel pickup tube doesn't reach the very bottom of the tank.

And you get to check the valve and the pickup tube screen.

Keep the fuel pump onboard in case your fuel pump craps out on the water.

Every few years you can pump the bottom of the tank if you want, 15 bucks maybe 20 is all it's gonna take .

May i ask why you think you have water in the tank, any other issues ?

 

[Hunterreaux]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

The last two times i went run the boat after running for about 15 minutes and shut down and checked the fuel filter it was about 60% water. Of you would think there is about 135 gallons left in the tank.. Any ideas of filtering the fuel when removing it from the tank into a drum?

Thank you,

Hunterreaux

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

Water is heavier than fuel suck the water out and leave the fuel in the tank.

Don't cut the hose 5 feet on the sucking end cut it 7 feet.

You will see the fresh fuel as it enters the clear container.

Than cut off the pump.

You have a issue with water getting in the gas tank ?

 

[Hunterreaux]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

When I purchased this boat the old owner stated that he got bad gas more than one time. I have since run several times with mixing new gas and water additives but still keep getting a good amount of water in the fuel filters(doing a good job so far) I am just trying to prevent any damage to my motor. That is why I am thinking of filtering all of the tank into drums and filter back into the tank. Is there an easier way?

 

[abj87]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

No need to remove the fuel just suck the water out the bottom of the tank as mentioned above. Why make it harder on yourself?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

With that much fuel better off calling a Pro and have your fuel polished. They will come to the boat and remove the fuel and filter it of debris and water. They will then clean the tank and return the clean fuel to the tank.

It's not that expensive to have done and you'll know that it's done right. It will save you a lot of headaches down the road if your stuck using E10 fuels

 

[dingbat]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

No need to remove the fuel just suck the water out the bottom of the tank as mentioned above. Why make it harder on yourself?

You're just asking for problems doing it that way. You have to get ALL of the water out of the fuel, not just the water that has already seperated from the fuel.

The only way to remove the suspended water is to burn the fuel or have it polished.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

How mush to polish the fuel and then clean the tank. Do they do a pressure test of the tank also ?

Where is all that water coming from ? Hows it getting in the tank ?

I just posted what i did, when i got the boat ? Never had a problem after that.

Now last posting i'll do to this thread.

If you lift the bow up and let it sit for a day, and pump the water off the bottom, there will be no water mixed in the gas, as stated water is heavier than fuel and will not mix.

Water will suspend in the fuel if shakin but not mix and desolve as others have stated.

Also keep cleaning the filters till you are sure all the water is gone, the filter by the carb and the one in the fuel pump if you have one there.

Good luck !

 

[grego]

Re: Gas Fuel Problems

Keep doing what you are doing "UNTIL" you are low on fuel. then buy a hand pump "the kind used to fill kerosene heaters" Hardware store $3.00, add some clear plastic hose that is a close fit to lower end of pump, TAPE IT TOGETHER!!! This will let you vacuum fuel and water by moving flex line around and pumping by hand untill you are pretty sure you have cleaned tank. The large bore of plastic line and pump will let you get rid of water "AND" contaminants in fuel. Find a spot to mount a water seperater!! cut fuel line and put it inline. change fuel filter. "THEN! " find out how you are getting water in your fuel system!!! You can buy an aircraft fuel funnel that will seperate water from fuel,so you can reuse the fuel you pump out. I would not! AND!!! I would ONLY! buy fuel from shell or bp. gas station tanks have a standoff of 10 to 14" from bottom of tank, IF!! a tanker is filling tank.I drive on by. My .02