Water in the Fuel Tank

I'm pretty certain my '68 P1800S has got water in the fuel tank thanks to a leaf blocking up the drainage hole. Two questions:

1. Is there an easy way to check this? I've looked at the fuel filter but it's not immediately obvious to me whether it is water or fuel in there.

2. What can I do about it? I'm guessing I'll need to drain the fuel tank and the engine. How should I do this and what should I know about reintroducing fuel into the engine?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Regards,
Colin

[Stuart Read]

Hi Colin

A common occurence! There's an 11mm nut at the bottom of the tank which unscrews which will drain out the water first so there's no need to drain the entire tank. The line and the pump can be emptied by disconnecting the line at the carburettors and running the engine using a siphoned line from a can attached to the carburettors. The carburettors are less easy but can be removed and emptied out or alternatively, as I have done in the past, just ignored. The water will be washed out fairly quickly with use without doing any damage.

Best of luck. .

Stuart