Water in Fuel on Outboard

[Lakesailor]

I went out yesterday to move Slippy to the jetty from the mooring to fit a new pintle (another story). Couldn't start the outboard (Yamaha 4hp, 4 stroke). Drained the float chamber, so there was fuel, Swapped plugs and checked spark. Feeble but present. Started and ran for moments before stopping.
To cut out all the twaddle, I took the motor home and stripped it and found loads of water in the fuel. It's a 1 litre integral tank and this much water was in the tank

Plus of course the whole floatchamber full.

Where does it come from?
I had a water in fuel problem on my last boat, but I put that down to the remote tank having a vent pipe overboard and pulling warm air in as the day cooled down thus getting condensation every night. But that was a 15 litre tank.
Even if leaving the vent on the cap undone on the current motor allows the same to happen here, it's only a weeny tank and a very small vent hole.
This is a large amount of water.
Any ideas?

 

[Porthandbuoy]

The water has probably been building up for some time and didn't become a problem until it "lipped" the outlet pipe (which I would expect to stick up 1/2" or so).

 

[VicS]

Check the vent is closing properly and that the filler cap is making a good seal. I can't think of any other way water can get into the tank other than via the cap or vent. I nearly asked if it was salt or fresh water....idiot!

Many years ago i remember a problem with "water" in the fuel of the works lawnmower. Lab analysis showed it containe a high concentration of ammonia. Someone had peed into it. You haven't upset any locals have you?

 

[Lakesailor]

I can assure you I'm not going to taste it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[simonfraser]

i bleed my carb every few months, amazing the amount of crud that comes out of a supposedly clean system

 

[Kawasaki]

If the eng is not used regularly and the tank aint full of fuel water will arrive.Through a vent or through a cap with a poor seal. Or condensation if it aint topped up.
Presumably the motor is not very old, so rot is not involved. With the fuel tank that is.
Having found the prob of water present does the eng work ok now?
Is the feeble but present spark doing the bis, or are You still having probs?
As Simon something something said it is good practice to drain the float bowl now and again. Won't cure Your water ingress but will keep the Carb free of sh%t so at least it will fire.
Aha! but where did the fuel come from? Was it the bit left in a tin?
Was it syphoned out of Guests cars whilst they were slumbering?
Was it the dregs of the tank at Your local petrol purveyour?
Anyway it's no big deal as You only mess about on a Lake.
Imagine if it was the auxilliary to get You home whilst battling the Irish Sea, where Men are Men and the Sheep are more nervous than in Ingleton,Broughton,Furness,Wasdale, Inverdale,AnyVale,Maidervale,To no avail let water get in the fuel in future.
Water is good for 2 things only. Floating boats + a drop in Whiskey is ok! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[pheonix]

Hi i dont suppose that your motor was stored in the transom locker when your pintle parted company.
seems to be an awful lot of H2O to be condensate /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Kawasaki]

That makes sense. The pic shows a lot H20. Even so ,it should not get past a decently sealed eng. Still think fuel added was already contaminated.

 

[Lakesailor]

How dare you suggest our guests have contaminated fuel!

It's a plastic integral tank. Motors 6 years old. I guess it's an accumulation of water condensate over the last year. I don't take the motor off unless it needs attention. Also the local fuel station doesn't do a roaring trade as it's very expensive, but cheap enough for a gallon if I'm not going elsewhere.

The water in the locker from my recent extra-ballast experience may have leaked into the plastic fuel can I keep in there. I'm never convinced about the seal on those cans. I did top up the motor from that can recently.

I think it's a case of more vigilance required and an occasional float chamber drain off.

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
The water in the locker ......... may have leaked into the plastic fuel can I keep in there. ......... I did top up the motor from that can recently

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah! There is a good chance you have answered you own question.

"Autolakesailoring" I guess you'd call it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The plastic fuel cans I have though definitely seal well, they suck their sides in when they are cold and alarmingly blow up like balloons when they are warm.

 

[andy_wilson]

I haven't 'bled' my o/b carb for 17 years. In fact when I cured a head gasket leak last year I removed the airbox, carb and manifold as an item, and replaced as thus, so that will be 18 years then soon.