Water in the gas

[jwburkert]

Second season with my 19.6  I'm two months behind schedule because of bypass surgery in March.
Had the 120 HP Johnson worked on over the winter, fuel lines replaced, and new control cables installed.
All ready to get her out on the water. Four weeks ago took out to Turkey Point put her in the water and wore down the battery trying to start it. Spent the next two weeks ordering and installing and on-board charging system (trying to be neat and do a good job not rush around like I have known to do}
Charged them up and tried to start it in the driveway, nothing.
Took it down to the guy that did the work over the winter and after some scratching heads and pumping gas out of it we got a jar of gas full of water.
Boat sat all of the winter and most of our wet spring without a cover ( I was unable and unfit to drive until the end of June) since then I have a trap to cover it with now.
I left the boat at the shop, but am considering going to get it and proceed with the following plan.
A. purchase an 18 gal. external tank and run that for the rest of the season.
B. I assume at this point that water is getting into the gas tank so considering replacing over the winter.
  Does anyone know the size and if any of the standard poly tanks will fit.
Suggestions and comments very welcome

[saltfly]

This just my opinion, so I don’t know if other would agree. First if the tank isn’t leaking, why replace it? I had water in my tank, when I got my 19-6. I drained the tank, then took out the sending unit. Then tied a rope to a rage and struck in in the tank and raised the tongue jack up and down till I got as much of what was left in the tank out. I then put startron marine in the tank and refilled the tank. Knock on wood, But I haven’t had a water problem with any of my tanks. I do use startron marine every time I fill up. My boats have been sitting for over a year now and my tanks don’t have any more water in them then my separator filter can remove during normal use. I drained 5 gals out of each tank and found, not enough water in that 5 gals to even notice. I drained the 5 gals, by unhooking the gas line from my water separator filter to the tank. Hooked a gas line with a primer bulb to that line and removed the 5 gals right from the gas line  pick up in the tank, which gets gas right from the bottom of the tank. Right where the water would be, if any amount would be in the tank, it would have shown up in that 5 gals. I swear by startron marine. My gas is just as clear as it was the day it was put in the tank. Since my tanks where only half full. I filled both tanks with fresh gas and my motors are running fine. This works for me. Other my feel differently.

[fitz73222]

X2 on the Startron; I use it in everything that sits and I have no water or stale fuel issues. As for the water in the gas; There are only a couple of ways for it to occur.  1)From the filling station, 2) from the external overflow vent while trying to quarter a rough sea. 3) Sunk. 4) Extended none use period with untreated ethanol fuel absorbing moisture into the fuel. 5) pits or holes in the tank but you would also have a fuel leak. I would determine which of these is the root cause and look at countermeasures to prevent it again. Responsibily dump the fuel in the tank, new fuel filter and go.

[fishboy316]

I had the same thing happen. What I found was the grommet on the fill cap was gone! Got a new grommet and not another problem! Much cheaper fix.
Bill

[jwburkert]

Thanks will look at all theses suggestions