Salt water in gas tank

[11 footer]

My uncles got a 1985? 20'Maxum/Galaxy bow rider with a Chevy small block V8 and Mercruiser out drive.<br /><br />Him and I put the boat away last fall, then this spring picked it up from where he keeps it and brought it to his place of work. He had intentions of using it, but the carb was messed up,we ordered a new one under warrantee, it was on back order, one thing lead to another and the boat didn't get used all summer, and the company won't replace the carb. My uncles mechanic rebuilt the carb, it had salt water in it. I just found that the gas tank also has salt water in it. It was filled last fall, so its a full tank of one year old gas with salt water mixed in. <br /><br />Would installing a fuel/water separator solve this problem? Or should the tank be drained?

 

[Don S]

Re: Salt water in gas tank

You do not need to drain the complete tank. Since water settles to the bottom, you can pump out a fuel gallon through the fuel pickup tube till the level is low enough to remove the pickup tube.<br />Then raise the bow of the boat so the tank is higher in the front than the back which should move all the water to the back and the bottom of the tank.<br />Now just get a small piece of copper tubing and and hook it to a small electric fuel pump and stick the copper tubeing into the tank and all the way to the bottom. this will get all the water out and leave most of the gas.<br />Then install a water seperating fuel filter and change and check it regularly.<br /><br />PS: Check the fuel fill cap and tank vent to make sure that is not where the water came in at.<br />It could have also come in from wherever you get fuel if thier tanks are under water.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Salt water in gas tank

hello<br /> sometimes its easier to remove the fuel level sender and draw just what is on the bottom edge like DonS describes. I do it all the time. water will settle to the lowest point. normal intrusion points are the cracked oring on the fuel fill cap and a poorly located vent. <br />good luck and DonS gave ya sound advice.<br /> follow it