3 are there any procedures to diagnose whether it is the gas or the sensor without opening the gas tank?
Thanks
Bob Olinski
PS the Puma FTD sounds like you are really fine tuning this package

History | Boats | Catalog and Dealer Info | Options | Trailers
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Bobcat |
Ongoing "water in fuel" smartcraft alarm ...need advice |
Lead | |
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('05 225 pro XS on a Puma) I'm continuing experiencing the water in fuel alarm. That's three to five times a day with on the water bleeding in
between. some times the bleeding stops the alarm and sometimes not.The fuel may have an amount similar to a grain or two of rice sometimes....other times
nothing. The front side bleeder needs to back almost all the way out to get any gas and at best I get a small amount.Murphy lives in my area.It's only a
matter of time before I drop it into the lower cowling while 30 miles down river.Back side bleeder will flow and I've been letting about a quarter cup
release into a clear dry container.I have already pumped the main tank once into my truck.I accomplished this by attaching an electric fuel pump to the fuel
tank switching valve and pumping til nothing more was coming out. It has been suggested, and I am in the process of doing it,of pumping the main tank dry
again, removing the sending unit and getting any residual gas the pickup doesn't get.SUGGESTIONS OR WARNINGS OR TRICKS WELCOME I must say that if gender
can be attributed to the offending sensor it must be female.It demands attention when all I want to be doing is fishing or having a blistering ride down river.
It will not be put off.Every three minutes I'm brought out of my revery . I have heeded the gas station warnings and use a national brand from a new
station that isn't in the process of being filled by a tanker. Personaly I don't think I have a gas problem but a sensor problem. That's why
I'm proceeding with the visual inspection unless Basscat or one of the more experienced on this forum warns me off. I have a couple of questions:1 How much
residual gas would be left ,after using the method described, remain? 2 If no water is present could I jumper the harness at the sending unit for a day to
quell this shrew.
3 are there any procedures to diagnose whether it is the gas or the sensor without opening the gas tank? Thanks Bob Olinski PS the Puma FTD sounds like you are really fine tuning this package |
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Bobcat |
one more question | ||
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Is there any possibility of water entering the gas tank vent on the stern? I'm careful about backwash but it does happen occasionally.
Bob |
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PhilAddison |
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How 'bout having the "female" portion (sensor) checked out by a gynocologist (mechanic). Sensor may be bad. It will cost you, but will save you
some headache in figuring your problem.
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oldtimer57 |
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One good way to get out excess moisture is to empty the tank as much as possible, then pour a couple of gallons of denatured alcohol (doesn't matter what
kind) in there. Alcohol will absorb water like a sponge. Then pump as much out as you can, and then fill up and go. The gas will mix with whatever is left
in the tank (you can probably get almost all of it out if you work at it. One idea is to go to a model store and pick up a fuel tank clunk ( a weight with a
hole in it and a barb on the end). Also pick up some matching silicone tubing. Jack up the boat so that one corner is low and the clunk will roll that way.
A small hand syringe or pump can then extract almost all liquid from the tank.)
Once you get water in the tank it will be a headache for a long time as it is heavier than the gas, and will sit on the bottom of the tank. As you turn, bounce, etc, it will move around and occasionally pass under the fuel pickup where it gets sucked up into the fuel line and on to the separator. It is a real stretch to get water in thru the vent just from backwash coming off plane. |
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Bobcat |
and another? | ||
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I'm going to call Scott tomorrow and order the filter removal tool. Do I have to loosen the brass allen set screw at the top of fuel resevoir near the
front of filter to remove filter? I did have the filter inspected by my dealer two weeks ago and all was well but I'm wondering if debris could collect by
the sensor and be holding enough water to trigger alarm and maybe restrict the bleeder valve at front chamber.
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Scott McGehee |
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If it's like my 07 was, you have a line coming out of the bottom of the filter to drain the water out. This line makes a U shape, pull off of the end away
from the filter and loosen the set screw under the filter. Fuel will drain out of the filter and if you catch it in a bottle you can see the water in it. I
had to do mine a couple of days in a row, but it fixed the problem.
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Bobcat |
Thanks guys | ||
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I have finished draining the tanks the under seat one through the hole for the sending unit and the saddles through the gas fill. I used that trick of
weighting a poly tube and could see when I was pumping and when I needed to readjust the position of the tube. It went well I used a spare battery away from
the boat to eliminate fumes exploding and also only hand tools. I had no water in any of the tanks. A call to my dealer and subsequent call to his Merc rep
revealed a possible source of fault. the Merc filter has a sponge core, which I'm told over time can trap enough water to trigger a fault ,though
visually, the filter was clean. The filters are about $44 so I should be able to dry it out and reuse.The other suggestion the rep made was to disconnect the water sensor wire temporarily and if still recieving a fault then a wire is shorted. it was a bit of a pain
but I am assured there is no water and can now trace the problem. Thanks for your input and experience
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