Continuous water in fuel

[Dano]

I am getting fuel at the ONLY non ethanol fuel station near the water. Seems to get quite a bit of traffic and alot of boats are seen filling up.

Any recommendations for someone to do a new tank install? They would have to cut the deck and reglass it in. West coast Fl... Tampa area.

[Capt. Bob]

I am getting fuel at the ONLY non ethanol fuel station near the water. Seems to get quite a bit of traffic and alot of boats are seen filling up.

That's a good sign but.....

So there's no misunderstanding, water in non-ethanol fuel environment will sink to the bottom so storage tanks with non -e have two distinct layers (if water is present), fuel and water.
Ethanol can have three layers. The fuel, the original ethanol that has reached its total saturation point and any additional water that it no longer can absorb.

I'm not stating that either scenario is present at your area fueling stations but my experience with a high level of water content in my fuel has been when using non-e. Also, the ethanol/water layer can pass through your Racor filter and will not fall to the bottom but this isn't your problem.

When you had the tank drained and filtered, was there a high percentage of water present at that time?

[Dano]

yes..... so it has been an ongoing issue. Originally put in E10 and had the phase separation issue. I havent had the boat too long and when i got it the guy was using an external tank because he said he only used the boat once or twice a year. He had the tanked pumped out completely and cleaned. I  am chasing this problem myself.
I guess the only thing left is the fuel fill setup. Cannot see where it would be getting in elsewhere........

Or just a whole new fuel system install. Tank lines etc.

Motor has low hours and rest of boat is solid and has potential.

[wingtime]

I'd get rid of that combo filler vent.  I think those are intended to be installed on a vertical surface not a horizontal one.  Also it is not how Aquasport designed the fuel system.  I'd like to see a pic of said filler/vent install.  

To rule out water being introduced by the gas station get yourself a Mr. Funnel.  It is a water separating funnel.  I have on and it works GREAT.  http://www.mrfunnel.com/Mr._Funnel/Home.html

[gran398]

I'd get rid of that combo filler vent.  I think those are intended to be installed on a vertical surface not a horizontal one.  Also it is not how Aquasport designed the fuel system.  I'd like to see a pic of said filler/vent install.  

To rule out water being introduced by the gas station get yourself a Mr. Funnel.  It is a water separating funnel.  I have on and it works GREAT.  http://www.mrfunnel.com/Mr._Funnel/Home.html

Bruce, I was reading your mind, was checking the Mr Funnel site as you were posting this. Their high-flow model is great for gassing boats.

Agree about changing the vent, and when that happens, make sure the vent hose runs up past the vent and then back down....leaving a high loop.

Dano, if you want to check for salinity, PM me your address and will send you some salt concentration test strips.

No need to spend the bucks on a new tank, etc. if yours is good. The water is being introduced, all we have to do is figure out how and where.

[Dano]

Thanks again for the help....
hard to imagine that it would be saltwater from the short time it took to fill the filter. I had run the boat on the hose a few time before taking it out just to keep it running well.

I guess the next step is to siphon off the lowest part of the tank. Will angle boat down and go  in thru sending unit. remove water, reseal the sending unit ...AGAIN... install a new filler, vent and try again.

I imagine if the fuel tank had a leak, id smell fuel in the bilge. Probably the same if the filler hose or vent line had a hole as well right?

[gran398]

That's right. And get one of those Mr. Filters to use at the gas station.

[gman 82 aquasport]

Just a question.... ... did you have the tank cleaned or did the previous owner have it done? Only asking because we all know of situations where we were told something was done that really wasn't...If he had a big enough problen to use the  on deck tank, maybe there was still a larger amount of water still in the tank when you purchased it, hopefully not so but who knows..if you can get to your sending unit, you can empty the tank after removing the unit,shine a sealed (no boom) light in the tank and take a look.. it would be easier than removing the tank if you don't have to, but I would change the vent anyway as everyone else has pointed out..

[redemn93]

another good point.  i think we've all had a PO tell us something was done when it wasnt.  and anyone using an aux tank as their main would make me very suspicious.

[Dano]

Yes i had it cleaned. I replaced the gasket. Im pretty handy around boats so i usually go through everything myself. i guess there are only three holes in this tank. One goes out (pickup tube) so it is of no concern. densing unit and filler. if all get sealed correctly than (theoretically) nothing should enter ( water).

If this doesnt fix it, this boat could end up with a full transom, bracket etc....

[CLM65]

I'd get rid of that combo filler vent.  I think those are intended to be installed on a vertical surface not a horizontal one.  Also it is not how Aquasport designed the fuel system.

That may be true for the "classic" Aquasports, but not so for the era of the subject boat.  I've got a combo fill/vent on my 2002 205, on a nearly horizontal surface, with no water intrusion issues to date.  That doesn't mean the fill/vent is not the issue here, but I don't think it is a flawed design as long as there is no standing water where it is mounted.

I would do a pressure test of the tank before cutting up the deck.  The poly tanks are pretty durable.  It think a ruptured tank is highly unlikely.

[Dano]

Ok so here is where I'm at…..
This is what i started with and then it went into it to remove and replace.This is what I found when i got the filler assembly up out of hull. looks like a significant gap for water leakage.
How about this hose?
ANd the underside of the filler assembly…

I am thinking this is where the water has been getting in the whole time. Ive replaced the vent, and a separate sealing fuel filler cap. I hope this works!

[Dano]

When i install the new filler assembly should i just double clamp it to the hose or is there any sealant i should also apply ?

[gran398]

Dano, appears you have found the gremlin. Double clamp with all stainless,  you're golden

[CLM65]

Double clamp it as Scotty stated.  Make sure your clamps are "all stainless".  Many of the clamps advertised as stainless have a stainless strap and a carbon steel screw/gear.

Just out of curiosity, were there any clamps on that hose before you pulled the fitting?  If so, were they tight?