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Excessive water in fuel

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Topic author Australia
DownUnderOZ
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Excessive water in fuel

Postby DownUnderOZ » February 4th, 2026, 7:41 pm

Carver 38 SS - Primary fuel filter displayed algae in the sight glass. We engage a guy to conduct fuel polishing, removed 10 Litres of water from the starboard fuel tank. Started engine and run for 30 minutes, and saw signs of water in the filter sight glass.
I believe the intake incorporates a cooling chamber to retain excess fuel and return to the tank.
Right now we are trying to determine the root cause of the level of water in the fuel tank. Any assistance will be much appreciated.

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Re: Excessive water in fuel

Postby waybomb » February 4th, 2026, 8:03 pm

Welcome aboard!
I'm pretty sure the knowledgeable people here will need to know which engines you have.
Thanks
Fred
1969 Glaspar Avalon /1967 Johnson Electromatic 85
1987 Carver Mariner
1988 Cougar Kevlar 46' with triple blown 572 ci
1995 Boston Whaler Rage
Past - 1988 2807, 1989 4207 Aft
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Re: Excessive water in fuel

Postby bud37 » February 5th, 2026, 8:03 am

Welcome to the forum....judging by your algae comment I will assume you have diesels.

If your guy just used the factory fuel system to pull fuel he may not have gotten to the tank bottom where the water would be for the most part. Sorry can't comment on the fuel cooler you mentioned.

One thing for you to do though, replace the deck fuel fill cap "O" rings with new as a bad seal there can be a major source of water getting into fuel tanks especially if they are on flat section where water can pool. Those rings don't last long and should be considered a yearly maintenance item IMO.
FWIW.....The above is just my opinion.

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Re: Excessive water in fuel

Postby Viper » February 5th, 2026, 10:24 am

Welcome aboard mate.
Ya I agree with checking the deck fill o-rings. Also, after each fuel fill, I always double check and ensure that dock staff tighten down the deck fill cap with a key. A new seal won't matter if the cap is loose. The other causes would be condensation and where you get your fuel from, though a bad fuel source would likely result in water in both tanks. Is it just the starboard side that has water? Also, don't dismiss the possibility of a dock staff having screwed up and put water in the wrong deck fill. I couldn't tell you how many times I've been called to deal with that or fuel in the water tank.
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Topic author Australia
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Re: Excessive water in fuel

Postby DownUnderOZ » February 6th, 2026, 12:51 am

Hi Bud37,

Appreciate your input. Thanx

We are running with Yanmar turbo diesel engines.
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Topic author Australia
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Re: Excessive water in fuel

Postby DownUnderOZ » February 6th, 2026, 12:58 am

We are running Yanmar 335HP turbo diesel engines. I will be onboard next weekend to assess the actual fuel circuit and replace filler point Orings.

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