Water in fuel, how to restart engine on good gas

[CaptnKingfisher]

I picked up a new-to-me boat this winter. Ran around on starboard fuel tank everything was good, switched to port tank and died after about a minute. I took a sample from that tank realized it had water in it. I drained the carbs and switched back to starboard tank and was able to restart the engine and get the boat back on the trailer.

I really don't wanna hafta rebuild the carbs on this. 150 hp v6 with 3 carbs. What this can I try before rebuilding? I was think pull carb drain screws and flush carbs with fresh gas then pull out all the spark plugs and crank the engine over. Is a carb rebuild absolutely necessary when you get bad gas? Thanks

 

[racerone]

Drain carburetors.------No need to take them off.-----Start it up and run it.

 

[tpenfield]

I would try to get clean fuel with some SeaFoam (or even dry gas) added running through the carbs . . . maybe only a gallon or 2. I would not take the carbs apart unless they are not running well after the fuel treatment.

 

[F_R]

So, the motor runs now. Problem fixed. The running motor will pull any remaining water out of the carbs. Different story if the tank had cruddy, dirty, old gas in addition to the water.

 

[dingbat]

Drain fuel filters and carbs.

Contrary to popular belief, E10 is the best fuel system cleaner and drier in the market.

Run fresh E10 to clean carbs and remove any moisture left in the system.

 

[tphoyt]

I would add a fuel water separator to prevent any future problems.

 

[Crosbyman]

Drain fuel filters and carbs.

Contrary to popular belief, E10 is the best fuel system cleaner and drier in the market.

Run fresh E10 to clean carbs and remove any moisture left in the system.

interesting...would a gallon or two at Spring wake up help drying up any winter condensation in the tank ?

is e10 a special fuel or simple 87 octane with ethanol in it ?

 

[dingbat]

interesting...would a gallon or two at Spring wake up help drying up any winter condensation in the tank ?

I’ve run nothing but automotive (E10) fuel year round since 2001 with no problems whatsoever

 

[Crosbyman]

if E10 means 87 octane with ethanol my 75 ETEC has been running 17 years ...perfectly

 

[tphoyt]

In my eyes the problem with ethanol fuel is not using it in a timely manner. It’s fine in an automotive system that is a sealed system but in a vented system like we find in boats it will collect moisture from the air.
Fuel stabilizers are effective and very important for long term storage and of course getting it all out of your carbs and or injectors at the end of the season if you have a season is must if you don’t want any problems come spring time.

 

[oldboat1]

Ethanol (as in E10) doesn't bond with with water like methanol does (eg. in dri-gas). So if you had a water problem, and drained tank, lines, carbs, addition of dry-gas isn't a bad idea to make sure the water goes away.
I burn E10 in my old truck if running it regularly -- outboards or my inboard, not so much, as they don't get very consistent use.

I'm guessing E10 might clean plugs with regular use because of a slight water content from, say, condensation. The water will steam clean the plugs if vaporized in small amounts. (It's not far removed from an old fashioned method of quick tune-up -- and was incorporated in some cars of the '50s.)