Petrol turned brown! What the deuce?

[crofty1984]

That was a new one. Bought a boat, had some trouble getting her up and running (bought as a project so no worries) suspected gammy fuel, so ran it from a fresh gallon in a jerrycan and all was well.

Drained some fuel from the fuel lines and filter before putting the good stuff in and it was brown!

I don't mean a little discoloured, I mean like strong tea from the teapot.
It also started to separate out within a couple of hours.
How does this happen?

[caziques]

Sounds like someone has added water to the fuel.

[thinfourth2]

2 stroke?

or really really old fuel

[shovelheadrob]

Sounds like you've got a bit of CRAP in the tank!

[sicarumba]

Rusty fuel tank?

[crofty1984]

shovelheadrob said:

Sounds like you've got a bit of CRAP in the tank!

How often do I have to do that?

[Major Fallout]

Leave it long enough and it turns to jelly.

[Harrytsg]

crofty1984 said:

How often do I have to do that?

As often as you want, your boat wont run though.

[NHK244V]

I get the same every spring, the wife will leave figgen petrol in the strimmer, lawn mower, leaf blower, chainsaw, ,,, you get the point lol
thats how moder petrol goes as it absorbs more water than it used to

[crofty1984]

caziques said:

Sounds like someone has added water to the fuel.

I think you might have it there. The water and fuel fillers are the same (Despite saying "petrol" and "water" on them). I get the feeling the previous owner wasn't the most particular of chaps, so he's probably bashed a few galons of wather down the wrong filler.

Thanks all!