Water in fuel

[Petemait]

I have been struggling with fuel issues since i bought my boat last year mainly due to water in the fuel.

One of the tanks is now in decent shape with only slight issues and the other still has some definite water.

Im, wondering if i should bite the bullet and have the tank totally pumped out, or if i should try adding a bunch of heet to the fuel to see if that will solve the problem. Does anyone here use heet in their fuel?

I have a single crusader 454.

Appreciate any advice!

[bud37]

Don't know anything about heet....but for me, I would get them pumped as dry as possible and start fresh, I don't think you will regret it in the long run. Water in aluminium tanks is never good for any parts of a fuel system...it will be much cheaper than one towing bill etc....good luck.

[km1125]

Is that a 36 Riviera? If so, then I think the fuel fills go straight down to the tanks. If this is just like my 83 3607 was, then you can stick a tube in there to get ALL the way to the bottom of the tanks. If you pull from just the fuel pick-up, those are located higher in the tank so you will never empty the tank all way. I bought a fuel pump and water-separating fuel filter and when both my tanks were below 1/2 then I pumped ALL the remaining gas through from one side to the other, through the water-separating fuel filter. The whole rig probably cost me less than $100. Then I pumped it ALL back to the first tank. I did not have any water in the system but thought there might have been so I wanted to be sure. However, if there was water I could have emptied that at the base of the filter and pumped some more until I saw more water. After I was done with that I put 100% fresh gas in the empty side and ran the engines on the other tank until it was almost empty, then filled it with fresh fuel. I think I put some pictures in the "projects" thread when I did that.

I have used that setup several times since, when winterizing PWCs and transferring gas around vehicles at the house. It's very handy.

Also, I'm curious on the performance numbers on that with the single. If that is the same hull as my 3607, I always wondered what a single would do performance-wise. I know that was an option.

[bud37]

I forgot to mention....check the fuel fill caps and make sure the "O" rings are in good shape.....if not sure get new ones.....they seal the deck fills and make sure that no water gets in from outside sources....they don't last real long.

[Petemait]

Thanks guys. I think i will get one tank pumped out professionally but i will definitely search for the setup you mentioned, km.
I have new fuel caps but i will definitely check them and keep an eye one them. Is there any sort of grease or sealant you put on those o-rings, or do you leave them as is and change them as needed, bud?
Thanks again

[g36]

Oring grease ,or a ..(silicone grease) will help them last and lubricate when taking the caps on and off for fueling , something like this can be used or google o ring grease..https://www.lowes.com/pd/Oatey-Silicone ... lsrc=aw.ds

[bud37]

Yep the plumbers stuff would work....I used to just grease the threads liberally and smear vaseline around the top to seal it.......worked for me over the years especially on boats that had the fuel fill level with the deck or coaming.

[km1125]

I looked to find the thread I was referring to but could not find it.
Here is the system I put together to "polish" the fuel from one tank to the other. I just used a 5' 3/8 steel line to reach the bottom of the tank and dropped it down the fuel fill.

fuel_polishing_setup.jpg

[mjk1040]

km1125 you are a regular MacGyver! Heet is one of the better if not the best water remover on the market IMO after watching a U-Tube video comparing several brands of water remover for gasoline. Heet seemed to collect the water in the gas and burn it thru the system.

[Petemait]

Looks like a great system, KM. Thanks, i had looked as well and couldnt find it.
MJK i watched the same video. I am getting the tanks pumped out today. It will be expensive but having an engine running well is worth a lot...

What do you guys prefer to use as a stabilizer for E10? There is no ethanol free fuel available in Massachusetts unfortunately.
Thanks and best...