Say you gas up after pouring rain, and the gas cap is wet. When you open it some water gets into the tank. What happens to this water over time? Water does not mix with gas and is heavier. Does it just collect at the bottom of your tank?
What Happens to the Water in Your Gas Tank
- Thread starter Jonny Z
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It does collect mostly at the bottom of the tank but can still make it through the fuel pump and into the combustion chambers, causing stumbling. I know because it happened to me from a gas station that accidentally had water in their tank. It was so bad that I had to floor my car just to go 60 mph and it was really rough power delivery. If you suspect water in the tank, use one of the products that solubizes the water in the gas so it burns gradually instead of in big drops.
Since oil (gas) is less dense than water it will be at the bottom of the tank. Since most gas has some percentage of alcohol like ethanol or methanol it should take care of the water. The water will burn off with the alcohol in the gas tank. Some fuel additives are made to get rid of water like Heet which contains isopropyl alcohol. STP water eliminator doesn't use alcohol if I remember right.
Doesn't the gas tank filler neck area have a drain so water will drain off there.
Doesn't the gas tank filler neck area have a drain so water will drain off there.
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yeah ..10% ethanol should take care of any water you get in your tank. If you used E85 ..I think you could probably add some. It might be the new acetone
It makes it through the pump and decarbonizes your combustion chamber. Be happy for the rain.
i usually run a can of seafoam in my tank from time to time, that takes care of my moisture.
that and when i fill up at a station that only has the #@$%! 10 percent ethanol blended gas.
that and when i fill up at a station that only has the #@$%! 10 percent ethanol blended gas.
I absent-mindedly ran my wife's Sienna through the automatic car wash after filling it with gas...without first re-installing the gas cap!
Immediately went into the Walgreens next door and purchased a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and dumped it in the tank.
Never felt or heard a thing. I was a little nervous for a while though!
Tim
Immediately went into the Walgreens next door and purchased a bottle of isopropyl alcohol and dumped it in the tank.
Never felt or heard a thing. I was a little nervous for a while though!
Tim
I don't use ethanol-blended fuel, so I put about 1/10 of a quart of 99% isopropyl alcohol in my tank with every fill in the winter. I don't worry about it in the summer.
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