Water in gas

Blu_Lunch · #1 09-08-2009, 08:38 PM

I have been reading the new formulation of gas with the ethanol will attract moisture in the gas. So when we got home from a ride today to see if the over heat problem was fixed, I pulled the filter assembly to see if there was any water I have a Radcor filter/separator with the clear bottom and drain and it was nearly full and there was about 8 oz of water. The boat console is covered when not in use so it won't get wet the filler is behind the windshield. We emptied the tank when I had the carbs rebuilt in July and we have put 40 gallons of gas in and we are down to a 1/8 tank now about 8 gallons or so. So where the @#^%@# is the water coming from? The atmosphere via the vent? Is there some sort of 2 stroke dry gas that is safe?

steplift20 · #2 09-08-2009, 09:46 PM

startron by starbright, thats what you have to use, it will solve the problems that ethenol causes

tsubaki · #3 09-09-2009, 05:02 AM

Most of our marinas on the Georgia coast are selling ethanol free fuel. It is 89octane and smells like real gas used to smell.
I also know of 2 fuel pumps in the county that sell the Marine Fuel and I'm using it for all the 2cycle stuff we have, besides the boat.
BP is the one selling it as "89octane Marine Fuel".
I'm not sure where all they are selling it at.

jjjtronics · #4 09-09-2009, 05:33 AM

I had the same problem. I got so tired of the water in the fuel and the carb problems, that I empty`ed the main tank and now use portable "red plastic" gas tanks, and get the gas from a gas station on the highway, not the Marina. Since that, I got rid of that problem for good.

Shawsee · #5 09-09-2009, 07:28 AM

Blu,

I also had the same issues with water in the fuel. I was told by my mechanic that the water comes from condensation from Ethenol in the tanks. So I use Startron also like Steplift stated, and for me it seems to work great. I also changed my fueling habits by using 5 gallon gas containers to refuel with and fill both tanks at home instead of filling up at different stations on the road. It's a pain at times, but now I know my 50:1 mix is spot on always and I add 1/2 oz. Startron to every 5 gallons I mix, 1 full ounce for every 5 gallons when stored during winter. Plus I also add Sea Foam as per instructions state along with Marine Stabil, and my old 1984 Johnson runs outstanding. Since I have been doing the fuleing this way my water issues seem to have vanished. My mechanic told me whatever I am doing just keep doing it because it's working great. It's one heck of a cocktail/potion but I do know it works for me so I am sticking with it for now until they do something with the Ethenol issues.

Blu_Lunch · #6 09-09-2009, 08:15 AM

Great information, the water was driving me crazy, I'm off to get some Startron for the gas. I wonder how many cars are going to have frozen gas lines this winter?.............

Blue_Runner · #7 09-09-2009, 08:17 AM

I hear ya Shawsee, I've gotten religous about my fueling/maintenance habits as well. I dump my filters regularly. I think that is what got me in trouble before with trash in my carbs. I wasn't dumping the inline filter on the motor regularly. Now I dump it before every outing and 9 times out of 10 there are teeny bits of trash in there.

drbabe · #8 09-09-2009, 02:09 PM

Hi Blu,
Somewheres on this site someone pointed out that some of the vents are vulnerable to infiltration by water. The kind that sit below the rub rail can get water in them. Depending on how directly the tube goes to the vent, you could get water, but probably not so much as you noted. Some folks have moved the vent to a drier location, others have solved the issue--if that's your issue--by putting a small clamshell fitting over the vent itself. Good luck. Good thing you had the racor separator.

Blu_Lunch · #9 09-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Thanks I put the Startron in today and ran it on the muffs ...let see what happens
drbabe I believe I saw your boat a few years ago in the Tri city plaza in Vernon....
Pepe looks familiar.....

Blue_Runner · #10 09-09-2009, 03:30 PM

Blu - On my buddy's new boat he was getting lots of water in the gas - more than you - and the dealer kept passing it off as ethanol. Finally the dealer found that he was missing the black rubber o-ring on his filler cap which they said was the problem. I can't imagine it let that much water in but he has not had a drop of water since.......I'm not sure if all filler caps have o-rings but might be worth a quick look.

Before that he had a ton of water getting in the hull. They found that his drain plug housing was not sealed properly.

Boy, I tell ya, these brand new boats are waaaaaay over-rated! I'll take my 15 y. o. boat over new any day!!