Water in fuel tank.
 

I am new to this site, invited by a deep purple fan. Anyway , I inherited a 1989 v20 with water in the gas tank. My question is what is the best method to completely empty the tank, and how can I tell if the tank is still good. It has 30 gallons of fuel + the water.
This is my 2nd v20, and I got a lot of good service in the Gulf of Mexico & Breton Sound with the 1st one (a 1982).
Thanks for your help.
pjayswell.

Gravity draining through the fuel line might not work and you may need an in-line fuel pump to pump it out.
They usually cost $50 at the auto parts store.
If you are not opposed to pulling the cover off the tank, go in through the sending unit hole. You may be able to inspect some suspect problems there too.

And there are any number of scenarios that can play out, depending on your situation.
You could just pump it out through the fuel line with the fuel pump.
Add another 5 gallons of fresh fuel and pump it out again but monitor this fuel for excessive water/trash say with a clear container.
Install a water separator/filter and let it go at that. Changing the filter after using one tank.
All along checking for possible fuel leaks/smells in the bilge and other locations.

Oh,
welcome to the site!!

Also there is usually a screen/filter in or at the tank..
It may be located in the tank at the beginning of the pickup tube or beneath/inside the fitting at the top of the tank above the pickup tube.
If you do not get good fuel flow, may need to check and clean it.

Well more of a diesel boat fan but deep purple is good too...

Welcome!

Thanks everyone for all the advice. This weekend I am going to pull the fitting off the top of the tank and pump as much out as possible. I have never done this before and I want to try best I can get it completely empty. I will remember to check the vent hose and the filters. I already have the separator hooked up, but I guess there was just too much water in the tank. I'll post results.
Thanks,
PJ

Put the boat at an angle so everything runs to a corner..
IE one side on a ramp, jack, curb, etc and then raise or lower the tongue.

mawshj
 

with boat on trailer I connected a hose to the output of squeeze ball and went to 5 gal buckets on ground . water should (siphon) come out first then switch to another bucket (s) for remaining gas. throw away first bucket the rest should be ok for water separator to collect.

The water will hide in the lowest corner of the tank
ALSO if there was any ethanol in the gas the water will have pulled it out of the gas leaving you with very low octane.... I suggest removing everything from the tank and having a bonfire.

What i did with mine i disconnected the fuel line going in the engine at the fuel pump, i have a 2006 mercury and placed it into a 5 gal bucket. Then i disconnected the fuel vent line and with a compressor i blew air in to it and the fuel started flowing into the bucket.

VERY risky... as little as 2-3 psi could cause MAJOR damage including a ruptured tank and or structural damage to the boat.

Very true!
The tanks are pressure tested at the factory at only 3psi.

Here is the filter/screen and location off of one of my saddle tanks.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...Picture065.jpg

And the anti-siphon valve balls at the same location.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w...Picture074.jpg

Yep and when the pressure test them they are put in a fixture that keeps them from ballooning.... They should never be pressurized outside that test fixture.

I drained my tank as much as possible then went in thur the sending unit hole with rags and dryed it out dry, water gas all gone!! get rid of the antisiphon ball now before you have problems eith that cause you will!
used the gas after letting it sit in my truck pouring the gas off the top of water.
good luck

Well i'm have everything set to drain the tank. The boat is jacked up, and the access holes removed i'm ready to unscrew the sending unit which I believe is the one closest to the transom. I pumped some of the fuel out with the ball, and there appears to be a lot of water in there. (a quart glass had about 1/5th water). I am gonna use the pump and then the rags like smoke suggested. once its all out I have One more Question. Once the fuel is clean should I remove the injectors to dry and clean them? I have a 2006 Suzuki 150 4 stroke. Maybe I should start a new thread ? Well I will post results, and I
appreciate everyone for helping me, I love this site.

Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you with us. You are really gonna love it here! What area do you hail from?
:beer:

I was born and raised in New Orleans, but I moved to Harahan two years ago, And yes I do love this site

Harahan is right next door to Kenner. If I can help you with anything just holler!!
:party:

Stopping water
 

My 1989 V 20 would get water into tank from the tank air vent mounted on hull.Simple to fix was placing a stainless air scup crowl over the vent to block the water n spray from going up into vent then into the tank..