gas tank issue

fhalami · Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 7:03 pm Post subject: gas tank issue

Hello everyone-I have a problem with my gas tanks, sweating and collecting water in the tank. If I try to use the gas tank while running the boat, the engine won't start, of course. When the water gets to the filter, its rusts. I've removed the gas tanks, cleaned them, and reinstalled, filling the tanks with gas. I then find them water in the tanks after a period of time, over the winter. Two questions, how do I prevent this from happening and is there a way to install drain valve to empty the tanks without removing them?

Thank you for reading, hopefully someone can advise.

Fouad Alami

Xtraplus18 · Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 8:14 pm Post subject:

Are you using ethanol free fuel?

E10 and E15 are like a magnet to water.

colbysmith · Posted: Fri May 31, 2024 8:41 pm Post subject:

The water has to be getting in some where. How are your filler cap seals? I run E10 in my aluminum 100 gal tank all the time. I do drain it completely for the winter here in Wisconsin. I have a small electric pump that I connect at the main water separating fuel filter, and pump it all out with that. (After running it pretty close to empty on the lake.) In the spring when I fill the tank up, I do add Stabilizer or Startron. I also add one or the other with the last fill up of the season, so any fuel remaining in the tank after I drain it is at least stabilized.

srbaum · Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 6:29 am Post subject:

Found,
Another thing to consider, while investigating, is to check the vents. I have seen a few boats, that had rear canvas set up, so that rain, would run down the canvas and funnel the runoff, right at the vents.
I’m in Portsmouth, so I’d be happy to take a look at your boat, if not to far from my location.

-Waypoint- · Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 8:53 am Post subject:

I'm having the same problem with my fuel too. I'm very particular with my fuel and actually test it for ethanol before dumping into my boat fuel tanks from the 5 gallon totes. (Amazon has a cheap reusable tester for this) But.... I got water in my tanks. My tank cap gaskets are good, I apply silicone grease to the cap gaskets to make sure no water makes it by. Just came back from a trip, had a big rain storm pass by us, we had the full camper enclosure up. Wind and rain was hitting the port side of the boat. The port fuel tank accumulated a quart of water.. Soooo... I ordered Attwood 1674-6 90 degree P-Trap fuel vents from Amazon $13.88. Had no water in the Stbd. fuel tank.

Glad to have had the twins. The engine at the end of the fuel line stopped running, it collected most of the water while the other engine kept running I was able to clear the water from the dead engine. Still maintaining the control of the boat.

Believe this should take care of my water problem. Using the 90 degree P-Trap fuel vents from Amazon.

ssobol · Posted: Sat Jun 01, 2024 9:35 am Post subject:

I use E10 from the gas station closest to the ramp. Never had a problem. There's always a few gallons left at the end of the season that gets left in the tank over the winter. Just put in some Stabil before I put the boat away for the winter.

Ethanol fuel only picks up a little bit of water (0.5% by volume) and will carry it through the engine. E0 will not absorb water so any water that gets in the tank will separate and collect in the bottom of the tank. With E10 water in excess of what the fuel can carry will collect at the bottom of the tank.

Phase separation is a legitimate issue. But the does not occur as often as people think it does.

https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2014/january/three-ethanol-myths-clarified