I just learned that we have water, lots of it, in the fuel tank of our Hunter 31 (1986 model). Any ideas on how to 1) get the water out of the tank 2)dispose of the diesel fuel that is contaminated. Premier mechanic we hired to do the engine maintenance found a crack in primary fuel filter, caused by frozen water, then pursued the problem to the injectors. He did his part and now the engine runs fine, albeit with the water problem still to be solved before we do any serious cruising in about 2 months. Any replies or suggestions would be appreciated. And yep, we did top of the tank at the end of the sailing season in late October, 2004, so we are looking at 13 gallons of liquid. Thanks, Joe
Oh no! water in the fuel tank
- Thread starter Joe on Alure
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Check for someone who does this
There are a couple of outfits in my area that will clean your tanks and dispose of any fuel that needs disposing. Ask around at the marina. They will clean the tanks - if you have water, you have algae - and clean the fuel. Worth it before you leave. Algae is bad, as it will break free and clog your filters if you don't get rid of it.
There are a couple of outfits in my area that will clean your tanks and dispose of any fuel that needs disposing. Ask around at the marina. They will clean the tanks - if you have water, you have algae - and clean the fuel. Worth it before you leave. Algae is bad, as it will break free and clog your filters if you don't get rid of it.
Cannot be too much water if you really topped off
Get a clean 20 gallon barrel or 3 jerry cans and an electric fuel pump and pump it out. The water will separate by gravity and you can still use the fuel. When you put it back into the boat use a Baja filter and stop pouring or pumping when you see a lot of water in it. Another alternative is to get a couple of big heating oil filters, mount them on a board with a selector valve and an electric pump and use the system to circulate the fuel for a few hours. When one of the filters fills up with water, switch to the other and clean out the first one. This will work if your fuel pickup is at a point low enough to get the water first. If not, you can make another pickup out of flexible hose with a weighted fitting. Put it into the tank and tip the boat so that the water and pickup go to the lowest point in the tank. I would have a few extra fuel filters on hand before I would go anywhere using the engine just in case there is still some water in the system. Ask your fuel supplier where to take the water. We have a county facility which takes this kind of thing for free and there are companies which will charge a fee. If you are wealthy, hire a fuel polishing company.
Get a clean 20 gallon barrel or 3 jerry cans and an electric fuel pump and pump it out. The water will separate by gravity and you can still use the fuel. When you put it back into the boat use a Baja filter and stop pouring or pumping when you see a lot of water in it. Another alternative is to get a couple of big heating oil filters, mount them on a board with a selector valve and an electric pump and use the system to circulate the fuel for a few hours. When one of the filters fills up with water, switch to the other and clean out the first one. This will work if your fuel pickup is at a point low enough to get the water first. If not, you can make another pickup out of flexible hose with a weighted fitting. Put it into the tank and tip the boat so that the water and pickup go to the lowest point in the tank. I would have a few extra fuel filters on hand before I would go anywhere using the engine just in case there is still some water in the system. Ask your fuel supplier where to take the water. We have a county facility which takes this kind of thing for free and there are companies which will charge a fee. If you are wealthy, hire a fuel polishing company.
recycle your fuel.
We had water and silt in our fuel last year. our marina was able to help us out.....they had a unit with a motor, hoses and filters on a dolly....they came down to our slip. the unit sucked the fuel from our tank ran it through their system and deposited back in our tanks......they run the fuel through this system 3 times.....did a wonderful job. replaced the engine filters and we were all set....check with your marina. Disposing of fuel is VERY exspensive....find an alternative such as this first.
We had water and silt in our fuel last year. our marina was able to help us out.....they had a unit with a motor, hoses and filters on a dolly....they came down to our slip. the unit sucked the fuel from our tank ran it through their system and deposited back in our tanks......they run the fuel through this system 3 times.....did a wonderful job. replaced the engine filters and we were all set....check with your marina. Disposing of fuel is VERY exspensive....find an alternative such as this first.
not so bad
like the previous psot, water is heavier than fuel so will sit at the bottom of the tank. Siphon the fuel out into a jerry can until you see only fuel coming out. Then new filters and while you're at it, add some water-sorb. It's a product that emulsifies (sp??) the water and allows it to be burnt in the motor...it really works!! I had about 5 gallons of water in my 12 gal. gas tank last season and I did just what I said and the engine works fine....
like the previous psot, water is heavier than fuel so will sit at the bottom of the tank. Siphon the fuel out into a jerry can until you see only fuel coming out. Then new filters and while you're at it, add some water-sorb. It's a product that emulsifies (sp??) the water and allows it to be burnt in the motor...it really works!! I had about 5 gallons of water in my 12 gal. gas tank last season and I did just what I said and the engine works fine....
I would pump it all out.
Joe: I would pump it all out and dispose of it properly. Cleaning the fuel will cost a couple hundred dollars. Depending on the condition of the tank, you may want to rinse it out with something to remove any contamination. Then refill it with fresh fuel. There is a good chance that you are taking on water either through the fuel filler cap or the vent. Be sure to change out the o-ring on the fuel cap and make sure that you have a loop on the vent hose.
Joe: I would pump it all out and dispose of it properly. Cleaning the fuel will cost a couple hundred dollars. Depending on the condition of the tank, you may want to rinse it out with something to remove any contamination. Then refill it with fresh fuel. There is a good chance that you are taking on water either through the fuel filler cap or the vent. Be sure to change out the o-ring on the fuel cap and make sure that you have a loop on the vent hose.
West Marine fuel filter
West Marine sells a fuel filter that will remove water and dirt. Teflon coated stainless steel. If it was me: pump it all out and filter it as it's going back in unless the tank is dirty. The big question is where did the water come from??? With a flush deck fitting could it be a bad O ring in the cap??? From the marina where you bought the diesel??? As I understand it there are two types of water treatments. One will emulsify the water and that is bad!!! Another type causes the water to precipitate from the fuel ie collect at the bottom of the tank..this is good. But first figure out how the water got there in the first place. Replacing all that fuel to have it get contaminated again isn't wise. Tom
West Marine sells a fuel filter that will remove water and dirt. Teflon coated stainless steel. If it was me: pump it all out and filter it as it's going back in unless the tank is dirty. The big question is where did the water come from??? With a flush deck fitting could it be a bad O ring in the cap??? From the marina where you bought the diesel??? As I understand it there are two types of water treatments. One will emulsify the water and that is bad!!! Another type causes the water to precipitate from the fuel ie collect at the bottom of the tank..this is good. But first figure out how the water got there in the first place. Replacing all that fuel to have it get contaminated again isn't wise. Tom
Its a Shame
Shame that Hunter does not fit tanks with a bleed point at the lowest part. I have had water (twice) both times I bought it and paid good money for it! Pumping the tank absolutely dry is difficult through the gauge hole. Unless you get it ALL OUT it will stir up in a big sea and still stop your motor. Also the dreaded diesel bug will get you if the water does not.
Shame that Hunter does not fit tanks with a bleed point at the lowest part. I have had water (twice) both times I bought it and paid good money for it! Pumping the tank absolutely dry is difficult through the gauge hole. Unless you get it ALL OUT it will stir up in a big sea and still stop your motor. Also the dreaded diesel bug will get you if the water does not.
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