water in fuel??

[OhWellcraft]

2005 larson 350 mag mpi bravo three drive. Took to the lake 3 weeks ago starts on trailer in water, idle out of nw zone drop hammer goes few hundred yds dies have to get towed in. Mechanic looks over everything replaces plugs,wires, dist cap, oil&filter, F/W seperator and informs me there is alot of water in the seperator. Drain tank of all fuel, new seperator, start on muffs run for 15-20 min runs fine. Take to lake yesterday starts on trailer in the water back off trailer idle over to docks 200 yards away dies wont start back up. pull F/W seperator water in it, have son turn key a few times on and off to pump into cup looks to be about 30 % water in gas? Also looks like new oil is milky only has about 25 minutes run time. While running on muffs looked over entire engine no leaks/ didn't get hot. I'm at a loss what should my next step be? Thanks for any help anyone could give.

PS ran fine last time out last year took on a bit of water mechanic fixed speedo hose that was leaking, then winterized.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: water in fuel??

Drain the fuel tank completely, and replace the separator for starters. As for the milky oil................check level, if its way over full (more than a half a quart) you may have more to worry about than water in the gas..

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water in fuel??

Drain tank of all fuel, new seperator, start on muffs run for 15-20 min runs fine.

You either didn't drain it completely, or water is still getting in your tank. If you are sure you drained it completely last time, it is time to start checking your fittings, etc. Bad gas cap? Cracked fill hose? Vent hose improperly installed? Lot of possibilities... but I would suspect it wasn't drained completely last time.

Put one end of the boat down - and draw the fuel (water) out of the lowest part of the tank. The water will always seek out the lowest part of your tank.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: water in fuel??

When I drained it the first time it seemed to be completely empty, I then refilled with 30 gals. of premium, new seperator, ran on muffs for 15-20 mins ran fine, took to lake started fine then died once I got it out into harbor. When it was run on the muffs it was sitting pretty level like it would be in the water at idle. I don't understand how so much could get in there, cap looks fine havent had any rain, all connections look fine as well. I can't for the life of me figure out how all that water could possibly have gotten in there. I scribed a small line on the dipstick before running on muffs for 15-20 mins and when shut off and cooled checked it and hadn't come above line at all.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water in fuel??

When you're boating, the water and fuel sloshes around and the water gets picked up along with the fuel. When you are sitting level in the driveway, there is no problem.

For what it is worth I went through this same thing when I bought my boat. It holds over 100 gallons - and was full! I took some fuel from the bottom, (so I thought), and it was fine. Turns out there was a bunch of water in the bottom of the tank. If you have an access port to the front of your tank where the sender is, I would suggest lowering the front of the boat and removing the sender (assuming it is on the front of course), look and see what's in the tank.

I can't tell you how the water got in, other than the things I mentioned. But if your separator is getting full of water.... then one way or another it is in the tank. Whether that is from before, and you missed it, or is an ongoing problem.... that only you can determine.

 

[OhWellcraft]

Re: water in fuel??

Thanks for the suggestions I will try and give it another go and make sure it is bone dry and try again at the lake, could the fuel I take out be reused in the car, strained somehow or is it toast? After I get it all drained out should I put some heet, or seafoam in there just to help out a bit or would it even do anything? Thanks again...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: water in fuel??

When you take the fuel out you can certainly reuse it - unless you have already added some Stabile or similar product. The water will separate out and settle to the bottom. You will be able to see it in the bottom of a gas can - just pour it out till the water almost comes out.

If you have already added a fuel stabilizer then all bets are off. They emulsify the fuel water mixture so the water doesn't settle out.

It you have a newer car I would not use it myself. Keep it for the lawn mower.