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Now I did it.

1565 Views 9 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Blk Box, 
B
In getting things put away for winter ect. I dumped approx 3 gals of gas from my from my outboard gas tank into the xB rather than dump on the gravel or field. Apparently there must have been some water that got into it.

After about 2 miles I started chugging badly. At which time I pull into a Gas Mart type store and put 2 containers of gas treatment/dry gas in. That helped and after a short idle time and miles car ran much better but not perfect. I also added about 5-6 gallons of gas at the station. After we got to the dinner we were enroute to the car seemed ok. Leaving 4 hrs later the car started fine but the engine light and VSC -OFF warning lights came on.
. Off course I checked all levels and every thing was as it should be except dash warning light.
Today I added so fuel injector cleaner but only went 2 miles.

Any suggestions before it goes to cha ching dealer?
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phobic
just add more water! The engine will think it's doing something wrong NOT running on water haha.

Seriously though, try changing out the spark plugs or something, and if you're under warranty just bring it to the dealer, it might be that a coil pack went and it jsut happens to be a coincidence that it happened now. It's a common issue on xBs and it is covered under warranty.
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S
I would expect the Engine light/VSC to come on if the engine isn't running correctly, which is going to happen if you have water in the gasoline. If the Engine Light is just "ON" and "NOT" blinking, I would continue to drive and use up the bad gasoline. Once you get started, I would drive and use up the tank of gas all at once, and not try to do short trips where you have to keep starting the engine.

It should start to run normally once the bad gasoline passes. You might have to disconnect the battery to clear the lights on your dash. I don't think that you will need new spark plugs.

Just my opinion, do what makes you feel better!

Good Luck!
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B
Update: I called dealer-asked to talk to Service manager to explain situation and find out when he could fit it in ect.
Here's what he told me: Although the gas treatment does help with moisture in the tank,/ gas line. The computer does not like it and throws it off-hence the check engine light. It was solid on, not blinking, and the VSC OFF was blinking and not responding to dash switch. Since the comupter read a malfunction in the fuel ratio it also alerted the VSC system and went into "OFF" and Blinking alerted driver of this status.
My service manager said to run the car to near empty before I fill it up. The car and computer will reset itself. He said I was not harming the car if it was running normal. If the light stayed on after 300 to 4000 miles and a new tank of gas call him and they would check it out.
After about 50 miles on this contaminated tank the dash warning lights went off.
So as sccion 's response was pretty close to the dealer 's recomendation. He wins the prize
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B
Still good today, no dash warning lights. Shje fixed herself, -or did they send a remote signal - like On Star ? That would be spooky
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chief52
The gas we use today does not have very good "shelf life" as they say. Gas that is going to be stored for an period of time and not used up should be treated with Stabil. You don't want to store with too much gas either--better less than a quarter tank with Stabil then fill with fresh gas when you take out of storage. We run into this with our snowmobiles each year--using this method I haven't ever had a problem. If you are going on an extended vacation (more than 3 weeks) I would do the same--leave the car with less than 1/4 tank and add some Stabil. Don't forget to run the vehicle to mix the Stabil and gas from tank to engine.
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B
Hi Chief, good to hear from you..,

Ya, I commonly use Sabil or the like when mixing/ filling tanks up for the smaller engines that sit for awhile. I think that either I didn't this time or the moisture got into the tank thru the vent cap screw. I didn't take the tank out of the boat and it sat next to the garage thru some pretty bad rain falls.
This is my smaller Yamaha 8hp four stroke and it didn't get a lot of use so it was on the shelf. My other boat which has a 100 gal tank we put it away full with the marine fuel stabilizer/additives and I do the same for the convertible and scooter.. That works if you are going to start it up each spring and get fresh gas into it after a half a tank. But I know what your saying about shelf life. If for some reason we don't get the car,boat,bike going right away next season and they sit longer-6 months or more then we have vehicles with old gas, full tanks and no room to add fresh,
Maybe we need to rehink the "standard" mantra about storing vehicles/winter layups because of gas forulations these days.
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chief52
Your right. I heard with the percentage of ethenol going from up to 10% to up to 15% it is going to shorten the shelf life by 50%.
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S
When dealing with a tank that has a air vent through the cap, like a lawnmower, I fill up the fuel tank completely so outside moisture has less of a chance to form with temperature changes.

Yes, always use a fuel stabilizer when storing.
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B
Maybe cars are going to need a fuel seperator like I have of the big boat if the enthonal count goes higher.
So whats or mileage loss gonna be with 15% enthonal compared to 10%. We can't win with the gas producers. :(
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