Water in the Fuel after Winter Storage

[h20thief]

OK this is the second season I've encountered water in the fuel tank after winterization. Last year I beat my head against the pavement trying to figure it out and finally gave up and took it to the dealer. They called and stated there was a lot of water, too much to be from bad gas, in the fuel tank. They purged it, changed the FCC filter and the rest of the season went off without a hitch.

Fast foward to this weekend. I pulled the boat out and went throught they typical routine of de-winterizing. The boat started and ran for about 5 min then died. Instead of pushing it again, I checked the injector rails and found a milky substance. I drained the FCC, replaced the plug and it fired right up. I got a mason jar full of milky looking "fuel".

This is a 2002 SAN and has the vent for the fuel on the port side next to the fuel fill. The dealer tried to find if the water was coming in from rain or other but no success. They seem to think I have an enemy that is pouring water in the tank. It had the cover on it all winter so I wondered if someone had a similar issue. Maybe the cover wicks the water into the fuel vent? Any suggestions? I did not keep the fuel tank full this winter but that was a lot of water for condensation.

Any help is most appreciated.

Greg

[pythonsupersport]

How full was your fuel tank? Are you storing the boat undercover?

[core-rider]

Was your tank full? Always fill the atnk up before putting it away for winter or long periods of time. If you tank isn't full changing temp can cause it to condensate inside which will cause water to get in the fuel. Since you live in Texas I would say that may be your problem.

[jjackkrash]

Likely, its the ethanol in the gas. Alcohol bonds with water. If you don't keep your tank completely full during the winter its sucks all the water out of the air and drops it right into your tank. Every time I go to Buxtons here in Dallas they give me a handout on the hundred ways ethanol screws your engine and fuel system, water in the gas being one of them. Thank the commercial farm lobby for that.

[DanielC]

I live in Western Oregon. I have used a e-10 mix in my 1997 Ski Nautique almost exclusevly since it was new. I have not had problems with water in my fuel, most of the time I drain the FCC, or change the filter, there is no water. NONE!
I honestly do not believe the e-10 is the problem. I would be more concerned about a half of tank of air, that exchanges with every temperature change, and sucks another dose of humid Texas air. I try to keep my gas tank full, I can fill the tank on the way home, when it is dark. When I, and others want to go skiing, during daylight, that is not the time to stop and fill the tank.
We do not have high humidity and high temperature here. We usually get one, or the other. The higher humidity, and more extreme temperature changes in your area would make it more important to keep your tank full.

[AirTool]

Every time I go to Buxtons here in Dallas they give me a handout on the hundred ways ethanol screws your engine and fuel system, water in the gas being one of them. Thank the commercial farm lobby for that.

Just ask one of those corn farmers what fuels the green tractors they drive around in......the answer will be diesel. The only ethanol on the farm is in their flask.

Note...I'm here in Texas and will be draining my FCC in two weeks. I also left the tank half full....not sure what to do about that. I think all drain the bowl, top the tank, use the tank, drain the bowl, and change the filter.

I'll post an update when done.

AirTool

[bchesley]

There are products that will help remove the water from the tank. Go to your auto parts store and get some berrymens and pour it in. I add two cans in the winter and top off my tank as much as I can. Never had a problem. In Texas we can have 28 days in a month with the humidity about 85%. That is alot of moisture in the air....

[jjackkrash]

I live in Western Oregon. I have used a e-10 mix in my 1997 Ski Nautique almost exclusevly since it was new. I have not had problems with water in my fuel, most of the time I drain the FCC, or change the filter, there is no water. NONE!
I honestly do not believe the e-10 is the problem. I would be more concerned about a half of tank of air, that exchanges with every temperature change, and sucks another dose of humid Texas air. I try to keep my gas tank full, I can fill the tank on the way home, when it is dark. When I, and others want to go skiing, during daylight, that is not the time to stop and fill the tank.
We do not have high humidity and high temperature here. We usually get one, or the other. The higher humidity, and more extreme temperature changes in your area would make it more important to keep your tank full.

I haven't had water problems either, but I always keep my tank full--even during the summer season--and even though I would rather run it on empty to keep the weight down. You are exactly right with the half-tank-of-air analysis, but the ethanol really compounds the problem when you don't keep your tank full.

[h20thief]

Thanks for the input. I didnt have the tank full so most likely its the source of the problem. I do keep it under cover but not in a garage or anything like that. I may just add the "drain the FCC" to my de-winterization list each year. I would rather bust some knuckles on the trailer versus on the water. I'll try the berrymans as well. I cant stomach pumping out a 50.00 bill worth of gas and disposing of it. I'll be draining the FCC a couple times prior to putting it on the water too.

Thanks,

Greg

[bobchris]

I wouldn't neccesarialy say it's because the tank wasn't full. If you where moving the boat in and out of a garage all of the time but if it's left outside then it's not going to get that much condensation. I would feel that the cover being tight against the vent and maybe even through the fill cap if it was a little loose would add too it more than condensation. You did get a lot of rain this season and depending on the quality of the cover. Also it depends which direction the vent's openings are as well as if they are above the centerline of the vent housing then water could wick through the cover. Now if the vent openings are below the centerline then no it's not likely as it hard to fight gravity but it depends on how it is installed and weather or not it has rotated on you.