water in fuel tank

[caldemaxi]

At a recent visit to the boat show we were warned by one of the salesmen about the increased amount of water in fuel tanks that have been filled before storing(winterizing) them due to the 10% ethanol in our gasoline. This salesman/marina owner said that he has literally seen gallons of water in fuel tanks due to this ethanol content. He advises his customers to store their boats with empty tanks now which is the oppposite of what we have always done (in order to reduce water from condensation). He suggests that since we filled our tanks we drain our them as a precaution. Also that we use the racor fuel filters with the plastic bowl and drain valve so that we can see and drain any water. If anyone has any experience or knowledge of this recent problem due to the ethanol please share it with the rest of us so that we can take the proper precautions as to prevent engine damage. thank you...

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: water in fuel tank

The Racor idea is a good one. Beyond that I wouldn't worry and you're doing it right. Even though the alcohol will tend to draw water out of the air, there has to be air to draw it from. If the tank has little to no air in it, then it has nothing to draw moisture from. It's when the tank is only partially full that gasohol can do what he is concerned about.<br /><br />Storing the tank empty is definately the Wrong thing to do. His theory is that if you don't have any gasohol in there to attract the water, then the problem is solved that way. In a way I suppose he has a point. But now you have a full tank of air and water will absolutely form inside the tank from condensation.

 

[llfish]

Re: water in fuel tank

You should have asked him if the tank would grow to accommodate the extra water. There is no room for water to accumulate in a full tank.

 

[caldemaxi]

Re: water in fuel tank

Thanks for your responses. I plan on replacing my present filter with the racor drainable type in the spring.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: water in fuel tank

hello<br /> let me hunt on that a bit. seems I read a tech tip on that sometime back. memory is muddy but I think it did reccomend draining the tank if running gas with 10% or more ethanol. seems it will attract water and all boat tanks are vented and the water will actaully mix with the fuel and stay suspended somewhat. here in my area we dont see ethanol so I did not log it.