water in tank

[kmongar]

Hi,
I bought a boat (1995 Striper 2150 5.0 VP SX) that has had very little use for 4 to 5 years. The gas had Stabl added but some of the fuel has probably been in there for a long time. And the tank was only about half full...and it was being stored in a very humid area (Bay Area- Berkeley). So I am just assuming that there is probably a fair amount of water in the tank.
Question:
1. Should I try to drain off the bottom layer of liquid in the tank and attempt to salvage the 50 gallons of gas...or just bite the bullit and drain the entire tank (ouch).?
2. Any suggestions on how to drain the gas/water? (siphon with a hose?)

thanks

 

[1730V]

Re: water in tank

DRAIN IT! You do NOT want the issues ($$$$) old gas can cause.

While your at it, install a water/fuel seperator. They're cheap insurance and available here on iboats-good prices. It will be money well spent. Much cheaper than repairs.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: water in tank

remove the fuel level sending unit. get a hose that will go thru the transom drain, and start siphoning. as the fuel level drops, raise the bow.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: water in tank

I was able to drain the built-in fuel tank in my boat with an outboard-type fuel hose connected to the tank's fuel supply fitting. The hose included a primer bulb but no engine connection. My boat was on a trailer so I routed the bare end of the hose through the hull drain hole in the transom and down into a container on the ground with several spares standing by since I was unsure how much was in the tank. Once it started flowing with the pumping action, a siphon was created and that did the rest. I did not attempt to save the old gas. Good luck!

 

[backwater dawg]

Re: water in tank

Ditch that ROTTEN gas----burn it in your fire pit--thats all it's good for--good luck--Steve

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: water in tank

If you have a old farm tractor or lawn mower you may try mixing the gas with fresh gas and burn it in them. But, do not run it in your car or boat.

For some reason gas does not keep as well as it did years ago. Anything over a year is not good . It's really bad for fuel injection engines or something you do not want to get stuck in the middle of a lake in.

 

[j_martin]

Re: water in tank

Throw away 50 gallons of gas? ($150.00)

That's cheep compared to a tow and injector service.

hope it helps
John

 

[rndn]

Re: water in tank

Don't even try to use it by mixing new gas with it. Throw it away.

 

[kmongar]

Re: water in tank

OK thanks.
Guess I'll keep some for the burn piles and the old mower and let the rest evaporate.

thanks again!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: water in tank

about the only thing my push-mower gets fed is stale gas; sometimes it has some oil-mix (chainsaw weedeater, etc.) sometimes it is just plain ole stale gasoline. I bought the mower at a pawn shop a couple of years ago, it sits outside all the time, only gets leftover fuel, and starts on the first pull after a couple of pumps of the primer. When and if it ever craps out, I'll give it to the scrap-metal guy and go pawn shopping again.

 

[Hoss the Hermit]

Re: water in tank

DON'T use gasoline in your burn pit. That's #1
Siphon, drain whatever to empty the tank. Find one of your buddies with an old (mid 80's) Chevy pickup with a 350, sell him the gas for $2 a gallon. Good deal for everybody.

 

[burroak]

Re: water in tank

My $.02 worth:

When the siphon will no longer extract fuel, pour in an gallon of inexpensive alcohol. It will combine with whatever water is left in the tank, and leave little, if any, water in the tank after you have siphoned that mixture out.