Dewatering Built-in Fuel Tank?

[Summer Breeze]

I just spent $400 rebuilding the carbs on my F100 because I had water in my fuel tank. Other than condensation (sitting outside most of fall and winter) I'm not clear on how I could get so much water in the tank. I do have a fuel/water seperator, the one with the clear bowl and drain at bottom but I wasn't clear on the fact that that filter needed to be replaced regularly and not just drained like I had been doing.<br />My question is there any way to remove any water that may still be in the fuel and what suggestions are there for those of us who are'nt lucky enough to have indoor storage? A friend suggested instaling a coupler at both motors, disconnecting them before winterizing and then siphoning the first gallon or so prior to running on spring commisioning.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Dewatering Built-in Fuel Tank?

There are a number of fuel tank additives that will cause any water to mix with the gas, Jay. They work well when the amount of water is small compared to the amount of gas. I don't use them with EFI 4 strokes but I don't think they would present any hazard to your carbed F100.<br /><br />It is my habit every Spring to disconnect the fuel line from the engine and pump fuel with the bulb until I am getting clear 100% gas out of the line.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Ray Neudecker]

Re: Dewatering Built-in Fuel Tank?

Full tanks are the best protection against condensation. If stored for any time, a fuel stabilizer is also a good idea.

 

[swist]

Re: Dewatering Built-in Fuel Tank?

While a water-separator will keep your engine from eating pure water, lots of water in the bottom of an aluminum tank is bad news in environments where the water has picked up some salt. Aluminum corrodes fast in saltwater. If I leave a cheap aluminum frame chair on the saltwater dock, it will corrode very quickly without directly getting wet. Same chair up behind the house will last noticeably longer. I love salt air, but there *is* salt in it.

 

[granpafish]

Re: Dewatering Built-in Fuel Tank?

That sounds like an awful lot of water to accumulate just through condensation. Check your fuel vent to make sure that it is not taking water during snotty conditions. It is not unheard of for a fuel vent to be mounted incorrectly directly from the builder. Happened to a friend of mine who is an experienced charter captain and never even thought to check on a brand new boat he was bringing from NC to Md. Never got past the Outer Banks because the vent was facing forward and just sucking up water. The guy has been building boats for 40 years and there is no excuse but it happens. Good luck Granpa