water in gas tank

[wromaine]

I have a Mercruiser 898, Chevy 305, 1981 Sea Ray. When gas tank gets 1/2 to 2/3 empty, the engine runs fine at wide open throttle until plane then sputters, backfires and dies. Repeat process over and over. Top off with fresh gas, problem goes away. I think there's water in the fuel tank and I recently replaced the fuel filter (spin on, like oil filter) but problem still exists. Is there a better filter that actually separates the water and drains it automatically or am I stuck with having to drain the tank and starting over with fresh gas? Any better alternatives?

 

[dontask]

Re: water in gas tank

Did you find an excess amount of water in the fuel separator when you changed it? If the water is causing a problem and coming from the tank it will show in the fuel filter again and again, until its gone. Make sure if you had a water problem that you got the residual out of the carb. After living and boating in Florida for many years small amounts of water in the tank was common due to the humidity and it was easily dealt with on a regular basis.
Your question about a filter that separates the water---your filter if installed properly does it already. By stratifying out the water on the bottom of the canister element. Just don't let large amounts of accumulate before changing or dumping it.
Again IF water is your problem check for it re-accumulating in fuel filter.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: water in gas tank

Pull your pickup in the tank. You might have a crack in it sucking air once tank reaches half full. Just a possibility.While you have it out you can check your pick up screen also.