water in fuel

[TriumphPanama]

I have an '02' 210CC with what I think may be a fuel tank problem. I first had the experience after towing it on a 6 hour trip through heavy rain. We put the boat in the water the next day and barely made it off of the trailer before the engine quit. It was full of water. So much water that it had filled the seperator that quickly. We had purchased fuel at a gas station that closed the next day so we attributed it to them. Well, after the boat sat for the winter through some hard ran we tried to take a trip yesterday. This time it made the trip to the end of the boat launch area. Once again all water in the fuel lines. The fuel this time we know was good because we also filled a small tank for use at home. I don't believe that this could be condensation because it was pure, clear water and lots of it. The cap is on tight and appears to be sealed. Has there been any complaint about water in the fuel tank from others or do I need to look deeper into the boat? If so, is the fuel tank area easy to fully access on this boat?

Thanks
Heath

[Cincinnati]

I'm not aware of any tank issues specific to Triumph, but that doesn't mean that you don't have a problem with yours.

Separately, as you know, water is heavier than fuel. So if you have a significant amount of water in your tank then it is feasible that your initial draw from the tank would be mostly water.

Try taking the fuel line off of the motor and (using the primer ball) squeeze out five or so gallons into a container (one gallon at a time and every two gallons, empty the fuel/water separator). Hopefully after doing this you'll find that each gallon has less and less water in it. You can check this if you're emptying it into a clear container. Wait a few minutes and you'll see that water in the bottom.

Now, if you have an EFI motor, then you'll need to drain the fuel lines in the motor. I have a Honda. On this motor, there's a drain screw on the vapor separator tank. If you tilt the motor up and unscrew the drain, all that fuel will drain out. Then you'll need to take off the fuel filter(s) and drain those as well. Be sure that you be careful when taking off the high-pressure filter (the one after the VST tank) - fuel will initially spray from the fittings.

Put the fuel line from the tank back onto the motor and prime the system. Then when you turn the key to 'on', wait a minute until you hear the electric fuel pump finish pressurizing the lines. Then start her up.

Let me know how it goes.

[TriumphPanama]

We did get it running again off of a fresh portable tank. We did drain the fuel lines and pump some through the primer to a container but it is all water. So the engine is safe but we have to find out how it got into the tank. Any answers on getting to the tank?

Heath

[calicokid]

Do you smell gas in your bilge ? If water can seep in in that kind of volume fumes might be seeping out. The deck behind the bait tank will come up by removing 6 or 8 screws mine pops right off using my screw gun. You can see part of your gas tank and associated fittings thru there. The next access I believe would be to pull the bait tank and deck behind the console but I’ve never done that. Another possibility could be a faulty gas cap if you’ve not already checked that . I’d post this in Tech Talk and see what Dick has to say!
Good Luck

[ILLOGICAL GGC]

the first time i pulled the deck plate behind the livewell on my o1, i found that the fuel guage sending unit was totally rusted away and water was standing on top of the tank around it . i replaced the sender/float with an aluminium one and ruled around it to form a dam from the water. the '01 has an 80 gal tank so all this was within easy working room. it appears the factory supplied the cheaper steel senders and i would advise everyone to check this out after a couple of years use.
BTY i don't screw the cover down anymore. i find it more important to be able to access that area should a pump fail ,ect than worry about what water might leak into the bilge. i made a gasket out of rule on the deck and it keeps most of the water out anyway.
tight lines
robert

[dnatzic]

Hi Robert,
My gauge only knows empty (1 Bar) and full (5 Bars) everything in between does not work so well. Kind of a unsettling feeling when your 10 miles offshore. I getting in the habit of topping off before putting in.
Dave

[Fishahn]

il logic Al
I'm interested in what you mentioned about not using the screws to put that piece back down. any photos of the rule gasket you made, and does it keep that section down tight enough.
I removed mine last year and replaced the fuel sender, it was rusted pretty bad. Turns out my fuel gauge still doesn't work, I'm used to looking thru the little access hole to check my fuel level. If I'm going on a long journey I make sure I add enough fuel.