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Water in Gas!

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Tim G.

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I did post this in the Tech area, but I know most of you just look in the general area..

I'm new to this one, so I'm looking for some input..

I put in 55 gallons at the local gas station (FYI Boat ran great before). Went for an hour and noticed Starboard engine had a fluctuating tach at 1000RPM.
I figured just crappy gas, like low octane. Boat ran OK at 3,500 + rpm.
I went to flush the engines when the boat was back on the trailer. Starboard engine was a little slow to start, and the port engine wouldn't light at all.

So, I changed the fuel filters last night. Starboard engine lit off OK. Port engine needed quite a bit of starting fluid to get going. (I hate to have to use it)
Got it running, but I can tell she isn't so happy.
Do I put the boat in the water and try to run it hard to move this gas through, and then change the filters again? or do I put another 25 gallons of 93 octane from another station in first?
Wonder if I need to change the spark plugs now...
Motors are '99 502 Magnums.

I had 8 years on my old boat and never had to deal with bad gas, and now I have a twin engine boat with bad gas...

Ahh, the joys of boat ownership.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Dry Gas

Yep, I put two bottles of Dry Gas in the tank. Each bottle treats 12-14 gallons.
I didn't want to put too much additive in the gas...

You guys think I should try to burn off what fuel is in there before I add fresh gas???
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Gas

I figured it was gas because:
-Boat ran great before the last tank.
-Both motors were pissed off.
-Both motors pull from one tank.

I'll try to get a fuel sample.

I did pour the gas out of the filters into a pan. I did see a little water. How much water will these filters hold?

Will this clean up cost me three sets of filters and a set of plugs?
 
#6 ·
Ya, I wouldn't add more fuel to the problem because the water will still be in there if that is what is going on.
If you put 55 gal. in I would add some more dry gas and maybe some stabil.
Like boatnut said check for water in the gas with a clear jar to see if it seperates.

You can dump the contents of the filters in the jar to see.

Cordell
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Get out.

So you suggest I add line to my handy oil change pump and try to siphon it out onto the parking lot???
There may be 50 gallons in there..
Know anybody that will pump the stuff out of the tank???

My pair of 502 magnums can make quick work of burning it off.
I did add enough dry gas to "treat 24 gallons". I could add more, but I wonder if too much of that stuff can be bad as well... I may throw another bottle in there.

I figure I'd run it for an hour and change out another $16 worth of filters.
 
#14 ·
Or take it to the dealer have them fix it and bill the gas station for letting the tanks run too low and not removing the water from their tanks. I had a buddy that they paid his repair bill and gave him a gas card because of the same situation.
 
#15 ·
You can drain about 5 gallons or so in to a can. Remove the fuel line before the pump, this will take and drain it from the bottom of the tank ( where the water will be, because gas floats on water). Then look at the gas in the can to determine if there is water in it. I agree with Gilla, $100 of fuel isn't worth ruining a motor.
 
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h2oski2fast
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