Fuel and water.

[bonz_d]

This topic has been discussed many times but thought I would relate my recent experience.

I use a 6 gal plastic tank for my boat and at the end of the season I run it out to were there is about 1/2 gallon left in it for use over the winter in my 2 cycle snow blower. Never had a problem doing this over many years.

Well this past winter we over worked that little snow blower and blew it up. So the gas sat half the winter. Then w/o thinking I ran the tank down a week ago and added 3 gal and mixed it to 50:1. Time to tune and service the ol Johnson. Got it hooked up, turned the key and then runs a few seconds and dies out. Not unusual for this engine. Try again, same thing. Do this 6-8 times same result. I then go to prime the bulb again, it stiffens up then all of a sudden goes soft. What the heck I'm thinkin.

So I pull the hose connector from the engine and then I see it. White milky fluid at the end. WATER!

I found a 3 gal clear plastic jug and dumped the fuel from the tank. Filled that and then another 1 gal and as I was pouring this I started to see it. So I let it all settle out and find there is about a pint of water on the bottom of this jug.

Again, this is the 1st time ever that I've gotten water. But then again this was the 1st winter ever that come spring I had a flooded garage with 1.5 of ice covering the floor.

So now I have 3 gal of contaminated gas and a fuel bulb that wont hold pressure. Guess it could have been worse.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel and water.

Pour off the good fuel and toss the water. Sounds to me like the tank got water in it from rain, flooding or some other source.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Fuel and water.

Hope all you have going is lack of fuel to the motor rather than carb bowls, lines and pump full of water. So did you get a chance to see how it ran on fresh fuel with the water contamination?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Fuel and water.

Not sure just were the water came from but to me it looked like an awefull lot of water for the little bit of gas that was in the can. Also I know that the boat was dry when I put it away last fall but when I pulled it out and cranked it up to raise the bow there was a small amount of water coming from the drain. It's not just me either as my neighbor had water and ice in his garage also this spring.

Haven't had a chance to try and run it yet but will this afternoon and will make certain to run it for awhile to clear it out and get it lubed up. Opened the fuel pump screen filter and it was dry so hoping.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel and water.

A pint of water can only come from flooding of some kind--I doubt rain + a loose cap would get that much in there.

But usually a half-empty tank will float; yours must have tipped over in the flooding. BTDT

I would not use the gas in the motor--not worth the risk.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Fuel and water.

Well, replaced the bulb and the fuel then found the hose to the fuel pump was leaking enough to get wet so fixed that too. Did get it started and runs as smooth as a 60hp 2 cyclinder Johnson ever does. But still have to say this is the hardest cold starting engine I've ever owned!

As to the flooding, that was from ice and snow build-up around the foundation then coming in under the sillplate. Gas tank was out of the boat and standing on end with the filler cap up. It wasn't even on the concrete floor. So nothing was ever under water.

Side note; neighbor couldn't use his snowblower during the last 3 snows because it was frozen in the ice on his garage floor.

 

[Pm Tech]

Re: Fuel and water.

Side note; neighbor couldn't use his snowblower during the last 3 snows because it was frozen in the ice on his garage floor.[/QUOTE]

One of the main reasons I now live in Florida:joyous:

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Fuel and water.

Side note; neighbor couldn't use his snowblower during the last 3 snows because it was frozen in the ice on his garage floor.

One of the main reasons I now live in Florida:joyous:[/QUOTE]

Wife just got back from there last Wed. and was glad to be home! So I guess it's not always what it's cracked up to be.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Fuel and water.

Are you sure no water came in from above?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Fuel and water.

Only thing in the garage that was wet was the floor.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fuel and water.

well it will remain a mystery but somehow water got in your tank; you can't get a pint from condensation. Consider a different way to store it next year.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Fuel and water.

HC that's exactly what I was thinking. Next winter I think I'll just empty it as there is no need for mixed snowblower fuel anymore!

Might have to keep an eye on it over the season too because I have just no idea where the water came from.