Water in Fuel Tank???

Gassed my boat today at Costco (first time there, almost always use 76 in the boat although normally gas truck there all the time). Put gas in both tanks with 7 gal. in left side and 9 gal. in right side bringing both to close to full. About half way thru the days fishing the smart craft gauge warning buzzer went off and showed "water in fuel tank". Each time I started after that it happened. In Calif. Delta a long ways from ramp at the time. Did not think to switch from the right to the left tank to see if it showed there too. Now..I did run pretty slow back to the ramp with no problem except warning buzzer kept going off. Since I have never had this problem before concerned that could cause problem in motor???? Maybe someone here can help and tell me what I need to do to clear this up. Is it necessary to drain the gas tank? or tanks? That would be close to 32 gal. of gas..................Any help??? Thanks

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 10 months ago by FishnPhil.

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June 17, 2009 at 2:35 am #452021

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

It can be removed from the filter on the engine. Check you Owners Manual to see where the removal is on your engine. Some have separate canisters, and others have a filter screen on the pump with a red knob. You can run additive in the engine, though we suspect it is a combination of old water and new in the fuel. The ethanol blends add to this. If there is a good bit, then you may have to drain it.

June 17, 2009 at 2:47 am #452022

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Thanks for the info. will check it out………….is it unlikely that any damage would have happened? Will correct before going out again but for future reference what could this do, if anything, to the motor???

June 17, 2009 at 3:15 am #452023

Bass Cat Boats
Keymaster

Score a cylinder, though we doubt it as the filter only began beeping this trip.

June 17, 2009 at 11:52 am #452024

pantera296
Participant

Im going to assume you have a 3.0L Opti. If so depending on year it will have one of the following water in fuel sensors.. 1) 2002 & prev. has a spin on fuel filter with water sensor in bottom of filter. You can remove sensor and drain water. 2) 2003 and newer (should be what you have since you have SmartCraft) has a filter in the VST (vapor seperator tank) it is located on the port side and has a red capped filter..On this style you have 2 drains in the the lower front and back of the VST with a small hose joining them..Remove hose from rear barb and just above the where hose connects on front is a small valve that looks like a standard slot screw. You can back out the screw with a standard screw driver this will open the valve and allow the water to drain out. You may need to loosen the red cap(filter) to allow air in before it will drain.Just drain it into a container to remove water.. There is NOT a water sensor elsewhere in the fuel system…. You may need to do this a few times to get all the water out or if you have a large amount of water Id recommend syphoning the water off the bottom. I do NOT recommend using a “fuel dry” additive…Hope this helps…. Sherm

June 17, 2009 at 12:12 pm #452025

Mark5795
Participant

I believe there are instructions in the box for draining and then replacing. When it is said there is a red cap it usually is in the shape of a crown or castle top. It is about 1 1/2 or 2 inches in diameter. Red cap is easy to spot.

June 17, 2009 at 5:14 pm #452026

bobsquatch13
Participant

Thanks for all the help, will definitely fix before going out again. My rig is an 02 Classic with 200hp Optimax so assume Sherms suggestion #1 should do the trick. Thanks again to all! Great board always has answers for those of us who are not sure what is going on. Although this is my 10 bass boat have never had this problem before. BTW while fishing yesterday though in general pretty poor for the Ca. Delta my last fish as I was getting ready to go in was an 11.3# so made up for the slow fishing and made my day despite the warning buzzer going off all day…

June 17, 2009 at 6:04 pm #452027

FishnPhil
Participant

I have a 2006 200HP Opti Max My question is, before you remove the Red fuel filter cap, must you bleed any pressure from the system first? And if so where? Thanks Phil
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