Water In Fuel: Drain Tank?

[Hicktown]

Hey guys, made a really dumb rookie mistake today with my 96XP. Fuel cap chain broke last week, so this was my first time taking the cap off where it didn't have the chain to let it hang there. So of course after filling up, I headed out and completely forgot to screw the gas cap back on. After about 5-10 minutes of riding, I smelled fuel, which lit up a light bulb in my head to check for the gas cap, which of course was missing. Like I said, rode for about 5-10 minutes with it off. Was riding pretty aggressively, spins, turns, etc, so I know some water got in there, I just don't know how much. It was still running fine when I came back in. Would it be smart to drain the whole tank and refill, or should I be ok as is? And if I do need to siphon, what's the best way to do that?

 

[mikidymac]

If you think much got in then you probably should drain the tank. I just use a piece of hose to old school siphon it out. Some use a cheap 12V electric fuel pump.
If you only think a little got in the factory filter/water separator will handle it. Just check it a lot on your next trip out.

 

[Hicktown]

If I had to guess I would probably say 1 or 2 cups worth of water got in there based on the way I was driving, but I have no way of knowing that for sure.

 

[mikidymac]

The strainer will not handle that much. You should probably drain the tank to be safe.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Being a 2-stroke you should drain the tank. If it was a 4-tec then you could have topped the tank off and put an additive in the tank and been good to go.

Or, let it sit all night. The water will settle to the bottom. You could siphon out the water as long as you can get a hose down that deep.

 

[Hicktown]

Thanks guys, better safe than sorry I guess. $15 worth of wasted gas and an hour of wasted time is better than doing an engine rebuild.

 

[mikidymac]

That's for sure. The problem is if water gets in the carb it will plug the jets making the engine lean, especially the pilot circuit.