How to fix water in the car gas tank?

How do I fix my car gas tank when water drips inside? How to fix water in the car gas tank? These are the two commonly asked questions by classic car owners. However, the good news is through the increased uptake in modern technology you can easily fix this problem by just learning a few basic techniques.

Water lodging inside the engine is a common thing that happens especially after the car has been in the garage for a far longer period of time. If in case you are experiencing a problem in starting your car, then your first move is to check if there is condensed water inside your automobile gas tank. Drivers should also put into consideration if there is any other vehicle problem before rushing to exchange the gas tank.

Water in the gas tank

One may wonder how does the water finds its way through the gas tank as it is always properly sealed. However, there are several ways in which the water can lodge such as through malicious plans where a person directly puts water or in case the driver accidentally fills in water during cleaning.

Water can also get in in case the seal is not well-closed or when the is natural condensation takes place inside the car due to rise and fall in temperatures throughout the day. whenever the water enters into the gas tank it does not mix with the fuel; Rather they form a layer with the less dense liquid being at the topmost.

Also Read: How to clean metallic car parts in a classic car

 

How to know that your car gas tank has been corrupted?

A little amount of water is not likely to cause a lot effects compared to a lot of water however, this should not stop one from regular checkup of their engine. One may wonder how to know that your engine has been lodged with water. These are some symptoms that your car is likely to experience if in case there is water in the gas tank

A sudden increase or decrease in your engine power

once you start experiencing a sudden surge in engine power or exaggerated engine power could be a result of the mixing of fuel and water. Work on the problem fast in order to prevent further damage.

Rust in the gas tank

Mostly in older vehicles, as they are equipped with steel gas tanks they are highly predisposed to rust. Water is denser than the fuel it settles at the bottom part, its prolonged presence causes rusting which tends to extend to the fuel lines.

Roughness during acceleration

This is the most common side effect of the mixture in the gas tank and it may lead to the car not starting at all. These become more often a big deal to long-distance drivers as it forces them to consume a lot of time before fixing the problem.

Steam evaporating from the exhaust pump

When water is heated above a hundred degrees Celsius, it evaporates. This steaming may also happen if there is water in the tank most particularly in the combustion table the driver notices these because of the increased level of steam in the exhaust pipe compared to before.

Refusal of the engine to start

Although these rarely happen as it requires the accumulation of a huge amount of water as the pistons try to compress in order to start off the engine they fail because of water. This causes a lot of damage to the engine and its internal parts such as the shaft rods.

Fuel pump failure

The fuel inside the tank is used to cool the motor whose work is to transport fuel from the tank to the engine. The presence of foreign bodies such as water hinders these processes leading to system failure as well as engine rusting and corrosion.

How to get rid of the water in the gas tank?

The earlier you get rid of the water in the gas tank the more beneficial to avoid any future problems. The very small amount of water can be easily removed by the driver but where there is a huge amount involved there is a need to involve the experts. below are some techniques one should follow when getting rid of the lodged water and quite budget-friendly:

Drain off the fuel tank

This method somehow feels expensive to drivers although the damage it prevents their car is worth it. Before draining the car ensure that you allow it to sit for a while; this allows the water to settle down at the bottom part and hence come out first. In modern vehicles, it is equipped with a drain on the tank that the driver requires to open for the fuel to flow out. Moreover, drivers should drain the tank even if there is only a small quantity of water in order to freshen the tank and avoid afterwards complications.

Remove the gas tank

In the old cars where there is no drain, the driver is obliged to remove the water from the tank manually. The driver has to take off the tank from the car and thereafter drain the fuel. never the less the other option car owners may have is the use of a siphon system that is readily available in many auto stores. Although the use of siphon is fairly discouraged it easily draws the fuel from the tank to a container. Be aware when purchasing the system to purchase the one that is approved for combustible materials to decrease the risk of any disaster.

Replacement of fuel filters and cleaning the fuel lines

Fuel filters can stop working in case it is dislodged with water and thus replacement is often effective to prevent future damage. The replacement can be done by the driver or can contact a technician who obviously will charge for the work. As mentioned earlier fuel lines are prone to rust especially after the water has trans passed through the car. Contact a mechanic if in case you face any troubles during cleaning.

Purchase a gas in a station with a good name

Due to increased petrol stations worldwide, they tend to take advantage of the situation and end up mixing on purpose fuel and water so as it can last longer. Drivers are hence advised to buy from a gas station with a good reputation in order to prevent engine breakdown.

Use of fuel additives

The use of fuel additives is another alternative to getting rid of water in the gas tank although it is preferred if the amount of water is of small quantity. The additives are divided into various subtitles. Namely:

Dehydrating additives- They work best by preventing the crystallizing of water inside the gas tank other than getting rid of the water itself.

Stabilizers- this kind of product acts by reducing the viscosity of the fuel during cold weather thus preventing the formation of a gel-like solution.

Restorative products- most car owners prefer the use of these car additives as they restore the damaged parts of the cylinders and have been cost-effective.

Prevention of water leakage in the fuel tank

It is very embarrassing when your car refuses to start or stops abruptly when in the middle of the road. however, the good news is that you can easily protect your car gas tank from water condensation or entry through various techniques. They include;

1.      Always keep your tank as full as possible

These the easiest method to practice and it gradually prevents the condensation of water inside the gas tank. A full tank is advantageous to the driver as well as to the engine because you will rarely run out of gas which saves one from buying gas from any gas station.

2.      Use the ethanol-blended fuels

The use of ethanol-based fuel is highly encouraged the liquid does not mix water but or rather absorbs it. The alcohol also carries the water into the engine cylinders where it Is vaporized afterward blown out through the exhaust pipe.

3.      Insulate your gas tank

In case you are driving in an area with high humidity this one is for you especially if you own a classic car. As a car owner, you can purchase an insulation blanket; designed to wrap around the fuel tanks in order to decrease the differences in temperature between the interior of the car and the external environment.

4.      Inspect your gas cap

A leaking or damage gas cap allows humid air to enter the gas tank and to some extent allowing raindrops to drip inside. Experts are now insisting that it is important to check your gas cap after a thousand-mile you drive as prevention is better than cure.

Key take away

Getting rid of water that has dripped into the fuel tank may be a gigantic task to carry out if you are not equipped with the methods discussed above. However, occasional use of addictive has shown promising outcomes in quickly absorbing the condensed droplets of water. An example of the fuel additive that many drivers have approved of its rapid action is HEET; it is readily available in automobile stores.