Brief timeline of events to-date:
- -Day trip with family, boat ran well for prior weekends and again for 6 hours. Turned engine off and tied up at the bar, went to fire engine back up and it ran for 5 mins or so before power drop. Starter motor runs strong, but engine does not catch. Tow home.
- - Next weekend, replaced VRO as I thought this was the concern (bought OEM parts), convinced the engine back to life, ran well for about 6 hours at all ranges of RPM before power loss and another tow home. At this point we inspected the fuel and identified a phasing concern. Previously thought it was a failed fuel pump, hence the VRO replacement.
- - Over the week had the tank pumped by a fuel polishing service, they removed 32 gallons of gas. Refilled tank (again, 2018 aluminum replacement tank) with fresh gas. Boat ran well for 2-3 more outings before the same concern occurred.
- - Removed console/deck to access tank, inspected tank, performed home-grown pressure test, and inspected compartment - tank looks to be in great shape, no bubbles from pressure test, no visible areas of concern. Replaced fill line, vent line (which previously had no loop, included loop on re-install), and pickup line with new parts and new hose clamps. Lines that came off the tank looked to be in good condition, no immediately visible cracks or perforations. Sending unit appears to be in good shape, gasket is dry when removed. Did not replace but have parts on order.
- - Currently having tank pumped AGAIN ($300/pop) prior to fresh gas for this trip. I always stabilize gas with Star Tron per the bottle's instructions. No readily available ethanol free fuel near me, so use a conventional gas station. Boat yard owner reports never having a problem with fuel at same gas station, it's along side a major highway and get's regular use.
What [is causing the water in the fuel]?
[Give me ideas of how to [find the source of the water in the fuel.
My overriding concern to-date is we've not replaced or identified anything that is visibly the cause of the [water in the fuel], so I feel like I'm just about to take another ride on the merry-go-round of problem. Please let the wisdom dispensing commence.
The fue ltank during the new line installation: