Sour fuel

[BrandonD]

If I have half a tank of "sour" fuel that sat for 6 - 8 months is it possible to fill the tank with good fuel then get the motor started and just run out the bad stuff or is that going to bust up my pistons?

If that wont work what should I do to get rid of the half tank of sour fuel?

 

[arks]

Re: Sour fuel

I usually mix old gas with fresh 50/50 and run it in my lawnmower or truck. I don't care about them as much as the boat.
BTW- never had any gas-related problems doing it this way....

 

[j_martin]

Re: Sour fuel

If I have half a tank of "sour" fuel that sat for 6 - 8 months is it possible to fill the tank with good fuel then get the motor started and just run out the bad stuff or is that going to bust up my pistons?

If that wont work what should I do to get rid of the half tank of sour fuel?

You likely also have a puddle of water/ethanol in the bottom of the tank. I would tilt the tank (even if it takes parking the boat with one wheel on a curb) and siphon out every bit I could. If it's clear in color, you can burn it in the family bus. If it's cloudy, use it for weed control, or just plain goofing off with fire, but don't put it in an engine.

hope it helps
John

 

[BrandonD]

Re: Sour fuel

Thanks John,

What do I need to siphon it out? Just a hose? Or is there something I can buy from an auto store that will allow me to pump it out?

Thanks again

Brandon

 

[j_martin]

Re: Sour fuel

Auto stores, Walmart, etc have a siphon with a primer bulb in it. It's usually good for about 1 trip.

I just start a gas siphon with my mouth, and keep a flask of gin or vodka handy in case I mess up and have to rinse it out. I don't drink, but it does the trick for a quick rinse. As long as you don't swallow any or get it in your lungs, it probably won't hurt you.

hope it helps
John

Thanks John,

What do I need to siphon it out? Just a hose? Or is there something I can buy from an auto store that will allow me to pump it out?

Thanks again

Brandon

 

[ratlsnaktj]

Re: Sour fuel

if you're planning on using an electric pump just make sure its rated for gas. bad things can happen if you use a regular bilge pump or something like that. I've used a Super Siphon before, it may work for you depending on how far you have to reach into the tank. You just lower the tip into the tank and jiggle it up and down a few times and you have flow. Just google Super Siphon and you'll find them, for $10 its a nice little thing to have on hand.

 

[BrandonD]

Re: Sour fuel

Thanks a ton guys.

One last question about this. After I get good fuel in it I want to run it for a while to pump a lota good fuel through the engine, but I don't want to take it out to the water yet. So will muffs and running it at idle for say an hour do the trick or should I run it a little higher than idle and maybe put it in trash barrel?

Thanks

Brandon

 

[ratlsnaktj]

Re: Sour fuel

Running it for a prolonged period of time with muffs probably isn't a good idea. Muffs are really only for flushing. If you have access to a tank or barrel like you said, it'd be much safer for the engine because it will be able to draw the water it needs rather then relying on a feed that is limited to the hose. Just make sure you're able to maintain a water level that keeps the intakes well submerged.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Sour fuel

All you can do on the muffs is idle it. That doesn't help anything, unless you're just pulling in a big dose of SeaFoam for decarboning or testing something. You can't really tell if it's even running reasonable. Besides, it ain't all that much fun.

Take it out and try it out. If it feels good, run it and enjoy the ride.

hope it helps
John

 

[j_martin]

Re: Sour fuel

All you can do on the muffs is idle it. That doesn't help anything, unless you're just pulling in a big dose of SeaFoam for decarboning or testing something. You can't really tell if it's even running reasonable. Besides, it ain't all that much fun.

If you take the main jets out and let the fuel bowls drain, you'll have fresh fuel in everything within 5 seconds anyway.

Take it out and try it out. If it feels good, run it and enjoy the ride.

hope it helps
John