water in fuel

[ftornabe]

Hello,

At my last run before winterizing I noticed white smoke at the exhaust. Engine running fine but I think this is a sign of possible water in fuel. Boat is a 2021 R25, outboard Yamaha 250.

Now that the boat is winterized and wrapped, could there be any damage to the engine or fuel tank? Is it possible water will freeze and rupture the fuel tank? Fuel tank is 103 Gal and filled it to about 85-90 gallons.

Thanks!

 

[SgtAlf]

Check your fuel/water separator.
Condensation will form in a partly filled fuel tank. You should top off your fuel tank and add stabilizer.

 

[Ralf H]

Hi there,

As Tony mentioned, check your fuel/water separator (visible at front of engine with the cowl off) That will tell all. What you are most likely seeing is water vapor that is very common when running these engines in colder temperatures. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Ralf

 

[ftornabe]

yeah I changed the external seperator but the internal one will be changed in the spring. (boat is wrapped now). I'm just concerned if water in fuel tank will rupture the tank during the winter. I'm in New Jersey..

 

[bob daily]

FTORNABE, Water will expand about 9 to 10% when frozen and your fuel tank is vented so the chance of watery in the fuel rupturing the tank is not likely! Bob
Just a note: It is 2°-f this morning with a wind chill below 0°

 

[nzfisher]

Filling tank with alcohol free fuel is a good idea when winterizing. Less chance of condensation in tank. Worth some research at the very least.

 

[dclagett]

Another question to ask: why is water in the tank?

Not sure of your configuration for outboard gas models, however some inboard diesel models have an installed fuel vent on the sloped part of the transom. The type vent in my configuration will ingest water in heavy rain if not on a vertical surface. On my boat I removed the vent hose and ran water down the sloped part of the transom resulting in water flowing into and out of the vent. If the vent hose was connected that water would flow into the fuel tank. I installed a clam shell cover over the vent and problem solved.

Just something additional to consider for eliminating future issues.

 

[Rebel112r]

I wouldn’t think white smoke would be a sign of water in fuel. Missing or backfires would seem to me more likely. Isn’t there a water detector in the final filter on the engine? Serious white smoke might be more of an indication of head gasket, and on salt water cooled engine not a good thing. And was this only when engine was cold? Good luck.

 

[ftornabe]

I think water got into the tank when refueling. There were some complaints from other boaters that they also had water at that fuel dock. I added stabilizer before hauling boat out. The boat and engine is pretty new. (2021 model) so I don't think could be issue with gasket. And engine was running fine. Not coughing and idling stable.

Thanks for all your input.