fuel vent drawing water?

[BKool68]

I have been plagued with problems with my inboard tank. Removal is not an option as it is below a solid deck. The boat is an 1990 center console VIP. In rough water under power she draws water from the tank and clogs the filter. I tried draining the tank by lifting the bow and sucking the gas out thru the fuel line. It was fine for awhile but after going out on a few rough days she has some water again. I think it is the vent for the tank on the side of the boat. Can this be moved inboard, or does anyone have a solution. Pumping 40 gallons of fuel out is not a fun job.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Re: fuel vent drawing water?

Your problem is likely not the vent but if it is, or you want to be sure, you could mount a small clamshell scoop over the existing vent in such a way that spray can't reach it. Is remounting the existing vent in a different location an option?<br /><br />With that said, condensation is probably the culprit. Is there any way that you can install an inspection and cleaning port to the tank. What is the tank made of? You will never be able to drain or withdraw all of the fuel from the tank through the fuel line because it is positioned short of reaching the bottom to keep from picking up contaminates, solids, and water. That is why a port would be ideal.<br /><br />To prevent water from reaching the engine install a water seperator fuel filter. There are several types to chose from...I like the Raycor brand found at Boat US.

 

[flashback]

Re: fuel vent drawing water?

BK, absolutly do not move the vent inboard, the last thing you want is gas fumes in the boat. instead, you can get an anti-syphon valve installed in the vent line which may help, depending on the amount of water coming in, or possibly, just looping the vent hose higher than the fitting on the hull would do the trick.....let us know what you find........

 

[butlp]

Re: fuel vent drawing water?

BK,<br />As Capt. Bob rightly said, your not going to get all the water and crap from the bottom of the tank using the fuel line. <br />If you don't have an inspection port, next time the tank is near empty drain as much as you can through the fuel line and then put a soft, flexible hose with some sort of weight on the end town your fuel filler hose. I used a 2" piece of steel rod well taped to the rubber hose. If you can tilt the boat to one side and bow up on the trailer you should be able to siphon the rest of the junk from the tank.

 

[Solittle]

Re: fuel vent drawing water?

I don't know if this an option for you but most tanks have some type of sending unit for the fuel gauge. You can remove this gauge to get access to your tank. After you do what you need to to the tank, reinstall the sending unit with a new gasket (or one of the form-a-gasket products).