Is This Possible To Do??

[buckstop108]

I have identified that I have water in the tank. How much I'm not sure, enough to make the motor run poorly. I was told to let the boat sit on the trailer for a few days and the water will settle to the bottom and towards the back (the bow tilted up). Then I should stick a hose down the tank fill opening and syphon out the water, that should be at the bottom of the tank. I was told to keep going until it looks and smells more like gas then water??? I would hate to waste 30 gallons of gas if I don't have to. The second step I was told was to add a good addtive to treat the gas that was left, then change fuel filter and clean out the carbs. What do you guys think of that plan?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Is This Possible To Do??

Yes, short of draining the entire tank, tilting the rig and siphoning the water out, if possible to get a hose at that direct location, would be the route to go. And adding a additive to the fuel for the water problem is a good idea.

You mention fuel filter, not a water/fuel seperator. If your rig doesn't incorporate one, install a fuel/water seperator. They work splendidly to avoid the exact problem you're having at the moment.

No need to remove the carburetors. Just remove the drain screw/bolt and flush them and the rest of the fuel system out when you know that good fuel will be pumped into the system.

A little bit of information that may be useful to you and others. Purchase some silk at any fabric store to have questionable fuel flow thru when you're not sure if it contains water or not. Gas will flow thru silk..... water will not!

 

[buckstop108]

Re: Is This Possible To Do??

I am looking into installing a separator. It was brought to my attention that the fuel pump might be a problem because Outboards often have weak fuel pumps. I guess I will gamble that my fuel pump is ok, because I never had any problem to indicate anything different. I will install a separator as well.
Thanks for all the help.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Is This Possible To Do??

What we've done is, like you say, let it sit. Then disconnect the hose from the motor and use that to get the majority of the water out. Then hook up a small electric fuel pump in line and run the outlet hose back into the tank. We've even put a second water seperator in the line. Then just hook up the pump and let it cycle.

 

[jl_photo]

Re: Is This Possible To Do??

if you can access the fuel level sensor on the top of the tank you can get a cheap chinese 55 gallon drum pump from harbor freight and stick the pipe into the tank after removing the sending unit and pump it into a container and then filter it before putting it back in the tank. this should get rid of most of the water and particulate matter in the tank if you pump vigorously.

what ever contaner you pump into must be sitting on the ground to avoid static electricity.


if you find that the tank is steel you should replace it.


use a metal tube for the pump inlet. 1/2 or 3/4 copper tube works well, bend to fit.

be sure to use a ground wire grounded to a metal stake or similar attached to the tube to avoid static sparks.

do not use an electric pump.

disconect battery

work outside by your self.

 

[CampionGuy]

Re: Is This Possible To Do??

What we've done is, like you say, let it sit. Then disconnect the hose from the motor and use that to get the majority of the water out. Then hook up a small electric fuel pump in line and run the outlet hose back into the tank. We've even put a second water seperator in the line. Then just hook up the pump and let it cycle.

How much water can a water separater separate and where does the water go? If I had say...litres of water in my tank could I use this method for drying the fuel?

Thanx

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Is This Possible To Do??

a regular fuel/water seperator will not do liters, they are the size of an oil filter so a 1/2 quart, now if you have one with the bowl that can be drained at the bottom you can drain the watter out indefinitly but only after it fill and then fill again. If you have liters of fuel you need to figure out why an d i would pump it out and then filter it and then put it back in, of course if this is a large cabin cruiser with 100 gals that is a little difficult!