salt water in gas tank?

[sean169211]

i know im an idiot but when i gassed up one of the last times of the season i forgot to put the gas cap back on the boat. The cap is located in the back my question is will this affect anything as i do have it winterized now.. btw i do have a water fuel seperator. oh and i know that water most likely got in there bc the water is really choppy where i live and im not a slouch going over them thanks guys! its an aq271 engine if that matters.

 

[gcboat]

Re: salt water in gas tank?

I'd be tempted to run some fresh gas through the motor before lay up. I really don't have a clue as to its effects in the long run but having traces of salt anywhere internally would cause me not to sleep well.
As far as the left over salt in the fuel tank well, I'll just let someone with more knowledge handle that question. Sorry to be so vague. :redface:

 

[Chris1956]

Re: salt water in gas tank?

You will want to get that water out of the tank soon. The water will sit in the lowest part of the tank. If you can get at the tank's guage sender, it makes it convenient to siphon the water off the bottom of the tank.

Since you filled the tank, you will need to siphon some gas out of it to lower the level. After you do that remove the gauge sender and stick the siphon into the lowest part of the tank and pump/siphon the gas/water mix into a 5 gal container. Now let that settle, and siphon the bottom of the 5 gal container into a clear 1 gal container. If you cannot see the water in the clear container, add some 2 cycle oil to color the gas. Pour the gas back, and discard the water.

If you have to work thru the gas filler, it will be more difficult but not impossible to get the water out. Remember to only use nonelectric pumps and siphons. Drill pumps will cause a fire.

 

[twostroke87]

Re: salt water in gas tank?

If you can't get to the fuel pick up, get your hands on a 12 volt marine electric fuel pump, it'll make the job faster and safer.