Water in fuel tank

[dweeze]

Hi,

The skipper I hired to bring a boat back here from the US has just filled my fuel tank with water......!

The clean out is not an issue but I am interested in knowing whether theres anyone here who has done the same and what, if any, long term problems they encountered as a result of the stuff up.

The tank is stainless, has been drained and refilled.

Thanks - Tim.

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[Benbow]

My advice, sack him, I am serious. To me that suggests someone with no feel for boat systems (and no sense of smel).

As for trace water in your fuel system, if everything is properly cleaned through, and your tank has a drainable sump, it should not present long term problems. Most diesel is more-or-less water contaminated anyway. Suggest that your new skipper takes plenty of spare filters and watches the water separator.

And yes I was serious.

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[dweeze]

I hired him for delivery only which is now 90% done as the boat is 2 days off its home berth. Tank was drained last night and the water seperated off the 200 or so litres still in it. That was put back in and the tank refilled last night.

Am annoyed that it happened. I can understand people make mistakes but its not something I'd expect out of someone qualified and for whom I'm paying good money. The diesel cap even has red paint on it.

Ta for your thoughts.



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[Piers]

Given water is heavier than fuel and you've been able to drain the tanks, the only thing left to do is ensure every last trace of water is removed. For this, I would add Soltron which is an enzyme and gobbles up water molecules as well as Diesel bug.

If you want a contact number for Soltron supply, I can give you the source I use.

<hr width=100% size=1>Piers du Pré
http://www.dupre.co.uk

 

[dweeze]

A number would be appreciated. Thanks

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[MarkV]

Wasn't a Yachtmaster was he?

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[Benbow]

OK, maybe I relent. It may seem strange, but I think if he had just stepped on the boat and put water in the fuel tank I would throw him straight off. On the other hand, if has been with the boat a while and really does know what goes were, but just had a, possibly fatigue-induced, bad hair day I would be more sympathetic.

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[StugeronSteve]

Pretty good advice given here and there should be no permanent damage.

I know someone who did the opposite, diesel in water tank. Now, that was a big deal, needed a whole new fresh water system, coz no matter how he tried he couldn't get rid of the taste.

<hr width=100% size=1>Think I'll draw some little rabbits on my head, from a distance they might be mistaken for hairs.

 

[dweeze]

A yachtmaster with over 45,000 miles. Having seen him in action he is good at sailing no doubt about that.

He had filled the diesel tank 4 times on the way over here so wasnt as if it was totally new to him.

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[MarkV]

Mental aberation then, I know a taxi driver who for some reason put petrol in his diesal taxi, couldn't explain it, just temporary brain dead while he did it. I guess it can happen to the best of us.

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[brianhumber]

Everybody can mess up, I must confess I did this to Ronhilda a couple seasons ago, the only excuse being some attractive girls in miniskirts on the quayside.
To put your mind at rest, with a good fuel tank design the water will have passed down through the fuel and separated out within a few hours. All storage tanks will get water in them from condensation anyway.
My tank has a collection sump and I just drained out the water and the fuel filter water seperator bowl was just as empty of water at the end of the season as it normally is.


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[Guest]

Water in tanks

This is a common problem for all steel tanks as well as most other materials....... as tanks suffer internal condensation with temp. changes etc.
The 'additive' case is not so serious unless you are poor on husbandry and keeping water drained from the tank etc.

Add Soltron or de-emulsifier etc. - but really as long as tank is well drained off water from bottom and you have a good turn over of fuel through the tank ...... it should not be a worry.


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