Gas turning milky

BillMo29

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Oct 7, 2022
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I have a 2006 Four Winns H220 with a Volvo Penta engine. I bought used in 2015. Twice since I have owned it, the boat quit running because of bad gas. The marina where I have it serviced said that there was a milky substance in the tank-almost as think a suntan lotion. I have burned nothing but non-ethanol fuel since I have owned it.
Any suggestions on how to avoid this in the future? Fuel additive-what kind?
Thanks
 

alldodge

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Mar 8, 2009
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Happened twice in 7 years, I would look at where your buying gas.
 

Scott Danforth

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most marina tanks get growth in them.

when water is present in the fuel tanks, microbial growth starts happening.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Thanks. Any familiarity with what kind of fuel additives I could use as a preventative measure?
e-10 helps get rid of water in the fuel system

buy fuel from a better source

boat more often requiring more frequent fill-ups
 

dingbat

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Nov 20, 2001
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16,529
Twice since I have owned it, the boat quit running because of bad gas.
Define bad gas…. Either lost volatility (old) and varnished up (old)or full of water?
The marina where I have it serviced said that there was a milky substance in the tank-almost as think a suntan lotion.
Emulsified water will turn gasoline white. What do your fuel filters look like?

I have burned nothing but non-ethanol fuel since I have owned it.
If it’s water issues, using E0 isn’t helping your problem.

The alcohol in E10 absorbs any moisture in the tank and harmlessly passes through the system.

With E0, the water just sinks to the bottom of the tank and stays there. Could have gallons of water in the bottom of a large tank and not know it
Any suggestions on how to avoid this in the future?
Use the boat more.
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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13,256
In the old days when we had straight gas we used “dry gas” to absorb water in the fuel if that was a problem. All we can get is E10 here and after the initial change over about 15 years ago I haven’t had problems with the fuel system. I dump out my fuel filter each spring and the gas is always clear….
If I were having a problem I might get the gas tested to see how much water is in it. Make sure your gas cap has a good gasket on it and also check if water is pooling on top of the sending unit for the tank….
 
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