99xp & 97gtx water in fuel

[John R]

Last fall I lost both engines on the same weekend. Local tech says I had water in the fuel. Neither ski showed signs of running poorly before loss of compression. He recommended that I test every tank for water before running. I've spoken to other techs who don't think his diagnosis is accurate. No one else has ever recommended testing for water. Is the separator enough insurance?

[Technical Support]

The stock 'seperator' is ineffective as a water filter, it's mainly for solid debris. At WOT, water can and does VERY easily go right through the filter bowl.

[1fastski.com]

i ran with water in my tank most of last yr { got a bad batch of fuel at fairway texaco on RT9 in sommers point NJ} and i was to lazy to clean out my tank , my kids was the same was was 6 others that we rode with . no one lost a motor .i would not suggest running with water it sure wont help , but if i was you look for a problem besides water in the fuel .{ bad fuel lines /wrong plugs ect . pull your fuel bowl off and look in it to see if its full of water or brown crap .

[Bill O'Neal]

The purpose of the "water sperator"/ "fuel filter" under the cowling is so that you can open it each time you get ready for a trip to the lake and check it for debris and water. It is not there to catch all of the water, but if you clean it everytime you go riding, you can rid yourself of most of the water and not send it to the carbs.
NAPA, and most auto parts stores sell a bottle of water dispersent ( about $2.00 ) that will break up the water and keep it from becoming a problem. Use it once or twice a season or when you see water bubbles at the bottom of the water seperator bowl.

If you pour the contents of the water seperator bowl onto a smooth flat surface, you will see what appears to be bubbles in the liquid gasoline if water is indeed present.