www.iFourWinns.com

So my boat has been falling off at speed meaning the rpms have been dropping off ocasionally so i pulled the fuel filter and dumped it in a big clear pickle jar. Three things became apparent.

I have:

1. Fuel
2. water
3. Rust

In my tank.

My boat is a 2007 with litterally 4 tanks of gas and 40 hours on it. How in the hell do I get fuel and rust in my tank? So far I have rinsed out my filter and reintalled it since i didnt have another, i added dry gas to absorb the water but Im a little more than ticked about this.

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Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II

You have a plastic tank, so most likely it's some sort of crap that got in there during manufacturing or was even in a component from whoever made the fuel pump, hoses, etc. Now that you've gotten rid of them, hopefully you're GTG as far as the rust is concerned. The water, that can only come from wherever you bought the gas, if its enough to see it.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I too would suspect where you are getting your fuel from. The old tanks were steel and had to be replaced from rusting out. unfortunately they rusted from the outside in.... Not to say that there wasn't corrosion around the connections that have rusted and it has fallen into the fuel. Nowadays they use fibreglass tanks so you should be good to go with any modern station. Keep the filter clean, open up your floor and inspect your tank to make sure there is not alot of rust in the bottom and you should be good to go. You may want to add a second cheap filter before your main filter to catch any big pieces that may be in the tank. You can buy them for less than $5.
Keep us posted.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I agree with the idea that you have to check where you're getting the gas from, you should not have that in a 2007 boat. Things you can do on your own, if you can access the fuel sender unit, you can remove it (CAREFULLY) and look in the tank to see if there is water in the bottom, if so it needs to be pumped out. Also check the gas cap, make sure the gasket seals well. Finally, to be on the safe side consider upgrading to a Racor water seperating fuel filter with the metal bowl for inboards. They filter better and can hold more water than the standard ones. Only down side is cost and they are longer than the standard ones so you need more room underneath for clearance. The one for my OMC is about 7 inches long, probably 2 in longer than the standard ones.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

IMHO it is where you are getting your gas from... they are adding water and rust as a no-cost upgrade...

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Just so no confusion can start... the modern tanks in these boats are plastic, not fiberglass. Fiberglass tanks used to be used in some boats, which is the reason for most of the concern over ethanol because ethanol can dissolve the resins in fiberglass and foul the fuel system.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I''ve gotta agree with the others here who mentioned the gas station. Unfortunate indeed.

Lou hit the nail on the head for a good upgrade idea. A Racor would be a worthwhile investment towards making sure you don't have more problems in the future.

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

Also forgot to mention the Racor has a drain on the bottom of the bowl, that you can remove to check the filter for water. The version for outboards has a see through bowl so you can look and see if there is water in the bottom, but for inboards you need to use the metal bowl version.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks guys, 3 tanks form the exxon mobil by the boat dealer and (4) 5 gallon cans of gas from the local guy down the street. Im pulling for the season soon I will check out the tank etc. I will run it hard this coming weekend before I pull it and recheck for crud in the filter then when they change the oil and filter i will have them swap out the fuel filter too, start fresh next season. I tell ya though it REALLY bugs me this sort of issue with a new boat and after the outdrive replacement last year......

_________________
Guns kill people like spoons make people fat.
2007 Horizon 190 Gxi
97 Pathfinder SE 4x4
73 International Scout II