Continuous water in fuel

[fitz73222]

I may have to try Perfect Seal or some of these other gas proof sealants I'm reading about now like  Permatex #2.  Anyone have experience with this?

Perfect seal is a non-hardening assembly sealer, that I use on everything. Bolts, gasket surfaces, water pumps. I have used it for at least 20 years on anything that has water, fuel or oil around it or going through it! It is not a form-a-gasket like some Permatex chemistries. I have assembled things with Perfect Seal, had it go away in salt water for 7 years and come back and take it apart like it was put together last week.

[Dano]

i just added a bead.outside of the gasket and coating it with permatex black nonhardening silicone. It specifically said it was gasoline resistant or something. Next step will be to install new pie plate and look into filler setup. ive splashed it with water and none inside but dont know if it is leaking from constant rain.

[CTsalt12]

i just added a bead.outside of the gasket and coating it with permatex black nonhardening silicone. It specifically said it was gasoline resistant or something. Next step will be to install new pie plate and look into filler setup. ive splashed it with water and none inside but dont know if it is leaking from constant rain.

Another thought:  It can be getting in  more ways than just the pie plate above tank.  If your console isn't sealed properly and you get water draining in there, it can get in lots of places there.

[Dano]

Ive seen the attwood thru hull vent for the vent line, but i was needing some recommendations for the fuel fill. Any ones that you all can recommend?

[gran398]

If you want a nice one that will last...get a Perko chrome on bronze.

[Dano]

Success….. I purchased some nice Rabud deck plates. They have a different o-ring configuration that the original TH units. After they set up i wet the entire deck and no leakage! I also gooped up the sending unit again with more permatex for good measure.

Also installed some rabid scuppers and new starboard platform for swim ladder. I think Ill add another deck plate for the rear bilge as well.

[Dano]

Im at my wits end with this boat. Went out again and barely made it 1 mile and motor bogged down. Drained over 16oz of water out of the racor. fuel filter on motor side had water in it as well. badly made it back to boat ramp after draining filters and starting again. i don't know what the next step is short of having someone put in a new tank with new filler lines and vent. it has killed my scalloping trip, won't take it to the keys and generally want it to sink at the dock. I've lost any confidence in this boat.
so far I've checked……. new razor, new deck plates to keep water from leaking thru, completely covered the sending unit with sealant, already had tank pumped and cleaned once. i wish this 2004 had a coffin lid to remove the tank, but I'm about ready to get a skilsaw and cut thru to see what is going on.


Is there any help to fix this?

[redemn93]

so did you actually replace the vent?  if not use this one.  http://www.iboats.com/90-Degree-Fuel-Ta ... 7AodLjYAKw

how is the seal in the fuel fill cap?

[wingtime]

OK that is a TON of water.  It has to be getting in there somehow.  Do you have a neighbor or an Ex that doesn't like you?  If the tank is cracked enough to let in that much water you'd be leaking fuel.  Is the boat stored under a cover?  It has to be rain water leaking in through something.  Does your fuel fill have an O-ring missing?

[gran398]

so did you actually replace the [img]vent?  if not use this one.  http://www.iboats.com/90-Degree-Fuel-Ta ... 7AodLjYAKw

how is the seal in the fuel fill cap?

Agree, that is a ton of water. Sounds like she's shipping water through the vent on the entry. Not an uncommon problem.

Change the vent as suggested, and on the install...make sure its angled to the stern, not downward.

This may sound weird, and don't go to the ER over it....but next time you drain the filter....if you are able to get to residual water only....stick your finger in the water and taste it. If its salty...the vent is the culprit.

You can also determine salinity with saltwater pool test strips.

[wingtime]

If you went only one mile there is no way the water made it that far into the fuel system THAT fast.  I say it has to be rain water.  Scott's idea of checking for salt is a good suggestion but i just don't think the water is getting into the tank on the water THAT fast.

[gran398]

If you went only one mile there is no way the water made it that far into the fuel system THAT fast.  I say it has to be rain water.  Scott's idea of checking for salt is a good suggestion but i just don't think the water is getting into the tank on the water THAT fast.

Excellent point.

If its rainwater....there are only two venues for intrusion. Gunnel fill and below deck hose/tank connection. First and most likely  is the gunnel fuel fill... puddling/holding water around the fill in a frog-strangler.

You may have a poor/deteriorated connection up there. Hose slightly cocked off the barb, sticking out. Just enough to leech water. Pull the deck fill and hose, let us know how it looks.

[Dano]

Thank you for the replies.
1. I have not replaced the filler yet; it is a combo filler vent cap. I did the garden hose test and it did not leak. I mean i really sprayed it around the cap and no water inside after opening.
2. The boat is not covered or stored under anything so it is open to the elements.
3. i have replaced the deck pie plates and they are dry ( keep water out)
4. i have replaced the sending unit gasket, and covered that with silicone ( gas resistant)
5. had the tank cleaned once previously ( drained filtered etc)
New racor filters, and had the VST done last year as well.

Here is the thing,
 the boat has had glass work done on the side where the fuel fill is, impact of some sort so looks like they replaced the filler with a single filler tube vent combo instead of the separate vent. I can look inside and see the hoses are attached, checked the attachment on the front of the tank and it looks good. The rear pickup is attached well.

No smell of fuel in the bilge.

I cant believe that it would have that much condensation building up in the tank to create that much water.

Im not sure what else to do other than new cap and separate vent and still arent sure that could be the cause.

[Capt. Bob]

Have you added fuel since you completed all of the above?

Again, if you have added more fuel and there seems no other entry for water, maybe it's the fuel itself aka.... the source.

Don't know where you're fueling but..... water in old fuel storage tanks isn't a rarity but rather a fact.

Just a thought.

Good luck.

[redemn93]

good point.  change gas stations.  preferably one with A LOT of traffic through it.  or fill up a few 5 gallon jugs and slowly pour them into the fuel tank looking for water when you get toward the end.  this is a lot of water to be entering the system if its all sealed up good.