Me = Stupid Human

[Steel Reserve 211]

I forgot to take the drain plug *out*. Then it rained for a month. The fuel tank was submerged. After I drained the boat, I can squeeze the fuel bulb, but all that comes out is fuel vapor. Now what?<br /><br />Question #2: The batteries, only 8 months old, had about an inch of water. any chance they aren't destroyed?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

Welcome Steel!!<br /><br />I often feel like I have only two brain cells left and can't find one of them half the time so you are not alone.<br /><br />It would help if you told us a bit about the boat & motor - - however. Pull & drain the fuel tank & lines and put some dry gas in with the fresh fuel. Also if you don't have one already get a water seperator/fuel filter for the fuel line. On the battery - - that is easy - charge it and test it.<br /><br />Did any water get into the engine?

 

[Steel Reserve 211]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

Thanks for the welcome, SoLittle. I have been lurking here for almost a year. I bought my boat in the Spring of 2005, and Iboats has been my primary resource for running my boat. So Thanks to all.<br /><br />My boat is a 1986 19' Bayliner. The motor is a Force 125. I will buy a battery tester tonite. As for the fuel tank, it's 35 gallons, and removing it to inspect it seems to be out of my league. I will get a water seperator. Does this look ok to you? http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...=941934954&**********=991843028&view_id=40317 <br /><br />Does ^that^ come with the filter? Will it seperate the potentially large quantity of water that remain in my tank?<br /><br />Also, do I need to worry about corrosion inside my fuel tank?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

that filter is fine. <br /><br />your tank should be either aluminum or plastic, more likely aluminum. its fine too, but a good draining is in order for the entire fuel system.<br /><br />your boat is oprobably toast. i have a 1988 bayliner, and its not made of wood, its made of termites holding hands!

 

[QC]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

You need to suck as much fuel as you can out of that tank before you run it with the water separator. The filter above (yes it is correct) will separate until it is full of water and then start to pass it, so that is not the way you want to go if you can avoid it. I have been through this and doing it the filter way took a looooooong time. I was already on the water, so I was kinda stuck.<br /><br />Anyway, the Dry Gas that SoLittle talks about is basically fuel treatment that absorbs water in Gasoline. You can use even STP fuel treatment as an example and similar should be available just about anywhere that sells oil etc. Good luck!!!

 

[Steel Reserve 211]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

OK, so tommorrow I will do what I can to remove all water from my tank, test the batteries, and encourage the termites to hold tightly. <br />BTW, the gas tank is aluminum, do I need to worry about corrosion?

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

YES, wet, unprotected aluminum will corrode. Best to get the outside of the tank dried out as well - especially the bottom. If it sits on a flat surface in the bilge, you need to get it lifted up and dried underneath. Often tanks are set and strapped down to a couple of plastic/rubber supports (lentils) so they will not get their bottoms wet. <br /> <br />erie_guy

 

[magster65]

Re: Me = Stupid Human

I agree with what's been said. Add methyl hydrate to your first few tanks of fuel as well... it's cheap and readily available. This should take care of any residual moisture in the tank. I add about a cup to every 50 gallons in my boat through the winter months.<br />As for leaving the plug in... my inlaws did that to thier 26' Carver while it was on dry land for the winter. Before they noticed it there was over 2' of water in it. It was up to the exhaust manifolds, alt. and batteries under water... what a mess! I can't believe the boat didn't collapse or crush under all that weight.