Water in Fuel Tank

[klukens01]

Need some help with my 2000 200hp Optimax. Motor was working great until I was fishing a few days ago when a wave came over the back of the boat and popped my gas cap up and got 4 beeps from my motor shortly thereafter, which means that water got in the tank.

To repair, I siphoned as much gas out of the tank as I could, connected all the fuel lines back together, and dumped all of the gas out of the fuel filter in my motor. Filled the fuel filter about halfway back up with gas, then mounted the filter back on. Filled the tank with 6 gallons of non-ethanol premium 91 gas and a can of seafoam.

Tried to start the engine and it is turning over but not starting. Any thoughts on how to repair? Here is a picture of the fuel filter.

Thanks!

[NORRIS CRAFT 1]

On the bottom of your vst you should have two screws on both sides these are drain screws for water. loosen them up & drain your vst bowl. Just loosen one side at a time with a small cup to see what comes out. They have small rubber washers so when you tighten back up do so carefully & do not bear down on drain screw. If you have a primer bulb use it & cycle the key on a few times to fill your vst & pressurize your fuel system. Hope this helps

[lpugh]

Need some help with my 2000 200hp Optimax. Motor was working great until I was fishing a few days ago when a wave came over the back of the boat and popped my gas cap up and got 4 beeps from my motor shortly thereafter, which means that water got in the tank.

To repair, I siphoned as much gas out of the tank as I could, connected all the fuel lines back together, and dumped all of the gas out of the fuel filter in my motor. Filled the fuel filter about halfway back up with gas, then mounted the filter back on. Filled the tank with 6 gallons of non-ethanol premium 91 gas and a can of seafoam.

Tried to start the engine and it is turning over but not starting. Any thoughts on how to repair? Here is a picture of the fuel filter.

Thanks!

May not be water, Did you pump the bulb up till firm
87 only, Ethanol fuel will actually help remove small amounts of water from the tank

[klukens01]

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[klukens01]

I've looked up some videos on how to drain the VST but it seems that every single VST is different than mine (go figure)... Is the drain valve that brass bolt in the bottom of the VST in the first image? Then the hose that I use to drain it is at the bottom of the VST?

[NORRIS CRAFT 1]

Yes it is the bottom brass screw with the regular head screwdriver slot in it. Spray it with something first to loosen the corrosion I think I see.

[SilverFox579]

I've looked up some videos on how to drain the VST but it seems that every single VST is different than mine (go figure)... Is the drain valve that brass bolt in the bottom of the VST in the first image? Then the hose that I use to drain it is at the bottom of the VST?

Some early 3L Optimax engines like yours used the same VST design as the 2.5L engines, clear visual is the spin on fuel filter. Might try posting in the 3L forum (specifically covers your engine) and be sure to include your engine serial number. Lot of very knowledgeable folks there.

Mercury - 3 Liter & 3 Liter High Performance

[EuropeanAM]

Moving your thread to the 3L Forum. Be sure to update your thread with the Required Info (serial number). Thanks!