water in fuel tank

[aristocat]

Last year the old evenrude 225 HP on '88 V20 wouldn't start, we found 3 gallons of water in fuel tank and water in carbs. Drained water and used the boat for the rest of the season. Winterized motor and added stabilizer to fuel tank. This year motor started and died right away. Got mad -- took it to dealer for new Yami F150. The dealer installed new motor but found 4 (more) gallons of water in fuel tank (also determined that the old Evenrude was killed by water. The Boat is always stored dry in covered lift.No gas found in bilge.

Anyone else ever heard of mystery water finding its way into fuel tank?

Time to replace tank? -- any idea of cost and time to do so?

Lookin' for advise

[lumberslinger178]

aristocat, I cant explain the water in your tank. But I did replace my tank last winter and I paid around 2400.00. It was custom made for the boat and we had it powder coated. and that was labor and materials.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n285/lumberslinger178/DSC05400.jpg

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n285/lumberslinger178/DSC05377.jpg

[aristocat]

Thanks, did you replace the filler hose and overflow vent tube? I was hoping a stock tank would fit without the delay and cost of a custom tank. I must really love the V20 cause it's running up the $$$$$.

Still questioning how the water got there -- mechanic says that much water could not be condensation and I know it isn't rain water.

Thanks for the pics and advise on powder coated tank

[macojoe]

I knew a guy that had the same problem, not a V20 but same issue.
Come to find out that he was get6ting the water from the vent, when it was installed the holes were placed forward not down, so when ever the water splashed up under way it would hit the vent and in went the water!!

Turned the vent the right way, and mounted a SS Clam Shell over the vent with the opening facing the back of the boat, never had water again!

Just a thought??

[Seacrets]

Did you store your boat with a full tank or empty? If empty and depending where you live, condensation could condense water with temperature fluctuations. If you boat in saltwater, was the tank water fresh or salt? Do you use pump gas with ethenol? Does the boat get minimal use and sets up for long periods? Last but not least, have you upset any kids in your neighborhood. If you don't have one, invest in a fuel water separator. It could save your new engine.

[cterrebonne]

[QUOTE=lumberslinger178;123885]aristocat, I cant explain the water in your tank. But I did replace my tank last winter and I paid around 2400.00. QUOTE]

holy crap!! just for the tank?

[randlemanboater]

I think MJ could be on to it.

Did you buy the gas at the same place both times, could have come from their tank.

OR........someone is sabotaging you.

I have $200 in my new tank, but mine ain't as nice as LS's.

[CaptJJ]

Do you have an angry wife, X-wife(who hates you fishing) or pissed off neighbor who you didn't take fishing????? These could be the cause of all the water in your fuel.
Seriously have no idea where you culd get that much water, sorry.

[aristocat]

Thanks, another twist on why the vent line might be the problem. An old captain weighed-in and said if the vent hose fell off the thru-hull fitting and is laying in the bilge, it would draw in bilge water as the fuel level is drawn down.

I will check it out

[Seacrets]

I don't think there's a V20 bare hull worth $2400. Just my $.02

[2ndCurse]

I'd check the fttgs on the top of the tank also. If your floor leaks and water pools up on the tank it could be getting in there.

[lumberslinger178]

Thanks, did you replace the filler hose and overflow vent tube? I was hoping a stock tank would fit without the delay and cost of a custom tank. I must really love the V20 cause it's running up the $$$$$.

Still questioning how the water got there -- mechanic says that much water could not be condensation and I know it isn't rain water.

Thanks for the pics and advise on powder coated tank

Yes I've replaced all the hoses including the floor drains.

[Seacrets]

If you winterized your fuel system and found 4 gallons of water in the spring, I'm going to go out on a limb and say, I don't think your problem is your vent line. From the fall (you winterized it), to the spring (you commissioned it) how did it get 4 gallons of water in the tank thru the vent line if it was stored out of the water? Broken vent line should create fumes in the bilge. You mentioned, no fumes. If you filled it up with a broken vent hose, you would've dumped gas into your bilge, especially if you were waiting for fuel to come out the vent. Again, was the tank full when winterized? Salt or fresh water in the tank. Just trying to help.

[eight]

I've been dealing with this same problem. I have water in the fuel on every trip. It starts at the house and then starts at the dock and driving off it dies. Drain the water separator and the carb bowls a few times and the water is out. I'll have to check on the vent line situation.

[Mulv80]

Check around your fuel sending unit. Its possible water is getting under your hatch and laying on top of the tank. Its just a gasket around the sender and they do dry out over time.

[Seacrets]

And remember our fearless leader forgot to install that same gasket and he had gas fumes in his bilge.

[macojoe]

Seacrets And remember our fearless leader forgot to install that same gasket and he had gas fumes in his bilge.

Wise :cen:

Yes indeed that was me, I can not tell a lie! But it has a nice new gasket now :beer:

[aristocat]

We may have found the problem, corrosion at the filler and worn O ring may be letting water in. Still doesn't explain how that much water got in while the boat was under cover. The search for the problem continues.

Hoses are in good condition, vent check valve working fine and sending unit O ring in place.

Thanks for everyone's help

[Seacrets]

Sorry MJ. Aristocat, you might be on to something.

[Pipe_Dream]

aristocat, I cant explain the water in your tank. But I did replace my tank last winter and I paid around 2400.00. It was custom made for the boat and we had it powder coated. and that was labor and materials.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n285/lumberslinger178/DSC05400.jpg

Wow, that's a thing of beauty. Way too pretty to bury below the deck.

Just curious, Lumber -- was it made to the same dimensions as the original? Did it spec out to 60 gallons?

[lumberslinger178]

Wow, that's a thing of beauty. Way too pretty to bury below the deck.

Just curious, Lumber -- was it made to the same dimensions as the original? Did it spec out to 60 gallons?


Pipe , you have a good eye. we had it made 2inches shorter and 1 inch narrower and like 4 inches taller its now a 61 gallon instead of 60.
we had brackets welded on the ends of the tank to refasten it back in place he used 3/8x 4 rubber glued to various parts of the tank and some 5200 here and there.:clap:Aqua Marine did the work these guys are top knotch.

[Pipe_Dream]

VERY nice.

[randlemanboater]

Wow, that's a thing of beauty. Way too pretty to bury below the deck.




LS is too embarrassed to tell everyone, but he had a gas tank hatch made out of lexan (it was only $1000 more) so you can see the tank.



:you:

[parishht]

No it wasn't LEXAN, it was left over CORIAN from a kitchen job
and he did the cutting himself, he really doesn't care if you see the tank.