What the heck is in my fuel???

[Brendanpd28]

 Since I had some bogging down issues I decided to remove my fuel filter and take a peek of course.  This is what I found.  I have no idea what these white chunks are!! And the separation.  Anyone ever seen this before?  I have a brand-new 27 gallon aluminum tank, all new fuel lines, etc...

[RickK]

Wow - did you fill up at a place that has a lot of business, so they replace fuel often?  Was it recreational fuel or ethanol?

[Brendanpd28]

A very busy fuel dock in Marblehead, Ma. Today I did a seafoam shock treatment, and changed the plugs, and changed the fuel water separator. Had her idling great again. Went for a cruise around the harbor. Everything was great....then on my way back in she bogged down out of nowhere agin. A launch driver was kind enough to give me a hip tow back to my slip. I'm am honestly at a loss. I guess I will do a fuel pump rebuild and maybe get my carbs rebuilt as well?

[Woodeneye]

Yikes. Seems like the prudent thing to do would be clean everything inc. hoses & tank & fuel system. What a massive PITA. I feel for you.

[Capt. Bob]

I'll guess.

Ethanol fuel.
Phase separation.
Fuel is on top (bluish color)
Water saturated ethanol below (lighter/clearer).
Excess water (ethanol unable to absorb) and "trash" on bottom (white).

[Brendanpd28]

Serious PITA lol...I just don't know where to start! Tank, lines, filter, and everything are brand new!!! Like I said...at a loss. I use fuel stabilizer with every fill up as well. I'm hoping someone has a recommendation of where I go from here.

[Brendanpd28]

Woodeneye...I hear ya about cleaning out the system but I have no idea how to go about that. I have 15 gallons in my tank right now!!!

[Capt. Bob]

Something like this:

http://www.mainefuelpolish.com/Marine_Vessels.html

[Woodeneye]

How long has the fuel been in the tank?

[RickK]

A very busy fuel dock in Marblehead, Ma.

Do they offer non-ethanol? I agree with Capt Bob on what he's thinking and the solution is to get it "polished". I would say that since everything is new, the crap is coming from the fuel dock.  Take a clear bottle and fill from that source and look at it.

[Brendanpd28]

Rick, I honestly do not know if they offer non-ethanol.  E10 is everywhere around here.  Woodeneye, there is almost always 5 gallons or so still in the tank when I do a fill up.  Even my new WEMA sending unit will say there is 1 gallon left but there is actually close to 5 im thinking.  I added 15 gallons to the tank from the fuel dock on Sunday.  I was out all day hopping around to local coves, and the first bog down happened at the very end of the day heading back to Salem harbor. So the timeline does sound like the bad gas came from that mornings fill up. If the phase separation is THAT bad, Im not sure "polishing" is the way to go right?  Maybe I should just pump out all the gas and start fresh.  It will take a long time since the only method I have is using the existing fuel line and bulb to manually pump out the gas lol!! I also have no idea where to dispose of that much gas around here.  I will look into that. Always something with a boat!   

[Brendanpd28]

Just thought of an idea....  Remove the sending unit and use my manual bilge pump to pump out all of the water settled at the bottom of the tank.  Will most likely just pump the entire tank out and start fresh though.

[RickK]

I would show that pic to the marina and tell them they may have a problem in the tanks.  Maybe you filled up when their tank was low?

[Brendanpd28]

 Good idea Rick.  My buddy is  an assistant harbormaster in that town and told me today they've had issues with that fuel dock before.  Really sucks I fell victim to it.  I feel like water also must be getting into my vent somehow though.  I'll throw a clamshell over it.

[wingtime]

Phase seperated ethanol fuel. A marina should not be selling ethanol fuel. I'd take that jar to the harbor master and ask him WTF? And have them pay to clean out your system.