It is no secret that cars in our time have become more reliable, as well as less demanding on the driving skill of the driver. However, even smart cars become defenseless against the actions of inexperienced motorists. So, water in the gas tank - what to do?
Any car is defenseless when water appears in its gas tank. The appearance of water in the gas tank of a car is not only a repair, but also the occurrence of many problems for its owner.
As a rule, injection and diesel vehicles become the most vulnerable in this situation. The appearance of water in their gas tanks is fraught with failure fuel pump high pressure or fuel injection systems. In winter, the risk of these breakdowns increases many times over due to the possibility of water freezing anywhere, which creates a lot of problems. serious problems associated with the need to replace spare parts.
Everyone is well aware that gasoline is lighter than water, and as a result, once in the gas tank, water, sinking to the bottom, is waiting in the wings.
Where does water come from in a gas tank?
One of the first sources of rapid and noticeable water entering the gas tank are gas stations. Although it should be recognized that such cases are not massive, that is, they are quite rare. However, it is best to refuel only at gas stations you have checked.
The main source of water in the fuel tank is usually atmospheric air. If you prefer to fill your tank with only ten liters of fuel, leaving it mostly half empty, you will ensure that there is water in your car's tank.
The mechanism of this process is quite simple. Since there is moisture in the air, it can condense on the walls half empty tank. As a result, its droplets are able to sink to the bottom of the tank, and from there the water, covered with a layer of gasoline, can no longer evaporate.
In order to negate the effect of this source of moisture in the gas tank, you must try to fill your car as soon as possible, maintaining the fullness of its fuel tank. Especially avoid filling half a tank on foggy days.
However, the most annoying similar situation is that even if you try to follow these simple recommendations, at least 100 g of water may still appear in the fuel tank of your car. And this accumulation of water that has appeared is especially dangerous in winter.
Water in the gas tank - what to do?
A fairly simple solution to the problem follows from elementary knowledge of the school curriculum. If you remember, water cannot mix with gasoline, but it can mix well with any kind of alcohol: methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and others. However, this alcohol must be undiluted. You can check that you are dealing with undiluted alcohol by igniting it. If the alcohol burns with an almost invisible flame, the alcohol is undiluted.
Using the described ability of alcohol, it is recommended to pour into fuel tank car about 300 g of pure alcohol, which, mixed with water, forms a mixture having a density similar to gasoline. This resulting solution will no longer freeze, and, having mixed with gasoline, it, passing into the engine, will burn in it without any problems.
And, the last tip - do this simple operation every fall. By doing this, you will save yourself from many problems that often appear in winter.
Water in the fuel tank is a fairly common occurrence. Due to the condensate that has appeared, the high-pressure pump, fuel line, nozzles, injector nozzles, etc. can fail. Therefore, for safe operation auto it is extremely important to detect the problem in a timely manner and take measures to eliminate it.
Causes and symptoms of water in the fuel tank
Usually water enters the gas tank through the hatch and the neck before refueling. A hissing sound when the plug is removed indicates the presence of air in the tank, the amount of which depends on the fuel level. The air contains moisture vapor, which accumulates in condensed form on the walls of the tank, and later turns into droplets at its bottom.
The appearance of water in the gas tank can cause failure of the fuel pump and other vehicle components.
Condensation accumulates for a long time (several years may pass), but damage to the car, especially in cold weather, can be significant.
In addition, water in the tank may appear as a result of:
- adding water to fuel at a gas station;
- violations of fuel transportation and storage technology;
- deliberate addition of water by third parties.
And finally, water can enter along with air if the gas tank is leaking.
A leaky gas tank can also cause water to enter the tank.
Detecting water in a gas tank can be quite simple by a number of indirect signs.
Water entering the engine from the gas tank can cause corrosion. Moreover, the transformation of water into ice can lead to freezing of the motor.
Ways to remove water from a gas tank
Remove water from the fuel tank before starting the engine. To do this, you can use special chemical compositions and do without them.
Mechanical removal of water from the gas tank
The most commonly used methods are as follows.
Removing water with special tools
You can clean the fuel tank from moisture using special chemicals.
Use of additives
Additives added to oil or fuel are divided into four types:
- Fuel economy additives. They are added to gasoline and reduce its consumption by about 10% by cleaning the engine. The additive, along with the fuel, passes through the combustion chamber, valves and other components and cleans power unit. These funds are used for precarious work cars on Idling or insufficient motor power.
Water can be removed from the gas tank with special additives
- dehydrating additives. They are usually used at low temperatures, when the mixture of gasoline and water in the fuel system can freeze.
Dehydrating additives effectively remove water from the gas tank
- stabilizing additives. They are added to engine oil and regulate the composition exhaust gases. These additives increase the viscosity of the oil at elevated temperatures, minimizing the amount of carbon monoxide in the exhaust, and are used only for preventive purposes.
Stabilizing additive makes vehicle exhaust less harmful to the environment
- Anti-friction or restoring additives. They are used in high mileage cars (more than 100 thousand km). Cleaning the internal surface of the engine from dirt, such additives restore the cylinder walls and other components during small scratches and cracks. As a result, compression increases.
Anti-friction additives stabilize engine performance
The attitude of motorists to additives is ambiguous. In any case, it is better to try to prevent the “disease” of the car than to “treat” it with the help of additives.
Major brands of water removal additives
The following brands of additives are most popular among car owners.
- er. The additive is popular among car owners with high mileage. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by laboratory studies. This is a kind of “metal conditioner”, minimizing friction between the individual nodes of the car. As a result of using ER, fuel consumption is reduced, engine torque and power are increased, the engine starts to run quieter and the mileage between oil changes increases. The advantages of ER include its low cost.
ER additive extends engine life
- ZTON. One vial worth 450 rubles removes 26 ml of water. In addition, it washes and dries the inner walls of the gas tank.
Additive 3TON effectively removes moisture from the gas tank
- Liqui Molly Cera Tec. The additive is designed to increase the service life of metal engine parts. It evens out all microscopic damage to the engine cavity and reduces friction between its individual nodes. The operating time of the additive corresponds to approximately 50 thousand kilometers. As a result, oil and fuel consumption will decrease, engine life will increase and noise will significantly decrease. Such an additive costs about 1500 rubles.
Protective anti-friction additive Liqui Molly CeraTec helps to effectively remove water from the fuel tank
- "Suprotek - Universal 100". Designed specifically for small trucks and cars with an engine capacity of up to 2.4 liters and a mileage of more than 200 thousand km. The additive reduces the consumption of gasoline and oil, and also stabilizes the idle speed. Resource fuel system increases to the level of engines running on gas. Despite the relatively high cost (about 1 thousand rubles), the additive has proven its effectiveness.
Additive Suprotec-Universal 100 is designed for small trucks and cars
- STP. One package removes 20 ml of water from the tank. The cheapest among analogues (about 85 rubles). The composition does not contain alcohol, so the efficiency of water withdrawal is quite low.
Inexpensive STP additive will remove water from a car's gas tank
Ways to prevent water from entering the gas tank
In any case, it will not be possible to completely remove the water from the gas tank. However, you can reduce the likelihood of it getting into the tank using the following recommendations:
- do not refuel at unfamiliar gas stations;
- do not often open the gas tank cap - get rid of the habit of refueling with a small amount of fuel;
- pour in wet weather full tank gasoline, due to which water is completely displaced from the tank;
- in the fall, add about 200 grams of alcohol or special additives to the tank;
- change the fuel filter in a timely manner;
- every fall, empty, then dry the gas tank well and fill maximum amount fuel;
- install a lid with a complex lock on the tank neck.
Freezing water in the gas tank and solutions to the problem
In winter, water that gets into the gas tank freezes. This is very dangerous. Pieces of ice begin to interfere with the flow of fuel into the system. Because of this, the fuel pump may fail. Even if the car starts, the engine will run unevenly, with dips. This will be especially noticeable when driving uphill.
Frozen water in fuel can quickly damage a car.
If water accidentally enters the fuel line, it will freeze in winter. Gasoline will not enter the engine and the car will not start. Since water expands when it freezes, injector nozzles may collapse and the injection system will stop working. In addition, with repeated attempts to start the engine in winter, you can plant the battery or damage the fuel pump. In this case, you need to drive the car into warm garage or remove the gas tank and melt the ice with a stream of warm, dry air.
Video: removing water from a gas tank
More or less water is present in any fuel tank. The main thing is to recognize the signs of the negative impact of moisture on the car in a timely manner. Of great importance are preventive measures, including the use of high-quality fuel.
Signs of water in the tank:- In the morning, the car does not start, or it is difficult to start. Water is heavier than gasoline, so it sinks to the bottom of the fuel tank overnight. When starting the engine, water fills the fuel line and the car cannot be started.
- Rough engine operation.
How did water get into the gas tank?
Most often, water enters the car tank through the gas tank flap before refueling. Do you remember when you open the tank cap there is a "puff"? It is air that gets into the fuel tank to you, its amount depends on the emptyness of the tank (the less gasoline in the tank, the more air you let into it). So, if the air is humid, great content water vapor (for example, during the off-season), as a result of condensation, a few drops of water will appear in the tank. Thus, drop by drop, it will accumulate and settle to the bottom of the tank.Another reason for water entering the tank may be the quality of the fuel. Either the owners of gas stations are to blame here, who are trying to increase profits by adding water to gasoline. Or improper storage or transportation of gasoline to the gas station.
Do not forget about the "friendly" neighbors, who can specifically pour water into the tank so that you no longer block their exit.
Water in the gas tank, what to do?
Do not open the tank cap and leave the car in the sun, hoping that the water will evaporate on its own. We have already said that gasoline is lighter than water, it "covers" it and does not allow it to evaporate.
Method number 1: removing water from the gas tank with alcohol.
Water practically does not mix with gasoline, but it mixes well with alcohol (ethyl, methyl, isopropyl). To remove water from a gas tank, it is enough to "tear off" 200-500 milliliters of pure alcohol from the heart and add it to gasoline. Thus, it will mix with water and form a mixture that is the same density as gasoline, which means that the water will exit the tank through the fuel line without problems for the engine.
Method number 2: how to expel water from the gas tank.
Using the fact that the water lies at the bottom of the tank under gasoline, it can be driven out through fuel rail. To do this, unscrew the spool on it (its photo is in the article about the fuel system), connect the hose. We apply voltage to the fuel pump through diagnostic block, and drain the water from the tank into a transparent container.
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Method number 3: suck out water through a tube.
We remove the fuel pump, install one end of a thin hose from the dropper on the bottom of the tank, the other in a bucket, which we place below the tank (into the pit), drain the water.
Conclusion
We have looked at various means of removing water from a gas tank, but it is better to prevent the problem than deal with its consequences. Prevention is as follows:- Keep the gas tank as full as possible and refuel at every opportunity.
- Avoid gas stations on foggy days, or fill up to 100% on these days to almost completely force moist air out of the gas tank.
- Before winter, pour 0.2 liters of alcohol into the gas tank to be sure that there is no water in the tank.
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How do you remove water from a gas tank? |
Water in the gas tank of a car can bring a lot of trouble, especially for cars with diesel and injection engines. Actually, the engine itself will survive the water, and either the high-pressure fuel pump (high-pressure fuel pump) or the fuel injection system will fail.
The water in the gas tank is especially terrible in winter. It does not mix with gasoline at rest and accumulates at the bottom of the gas tank. If the driver is one of those who likes to spend gasoline to the last drop, then sooner or later water will get into the gas pipeline. And there it can simply freeze, blocking the path of gasoline. And another way to get rid of water (or rather, already from ice), otherwise how to put the car in warm box, will no longer be. And again, the water will go to the engine with possible unpleasant consequences. The driver, thinking that it just ran out of gasoline, will pour it into the gas tank and try in vain to start the car.
Water can get into the gas tank, for example, as a result of condensation of moisture from the air. There are motorists who keep the tank constantly half empty: they drive with a minimum supply of fuel, adding 10-15 liters when refueling. With frequent weather changes, especially in the off-season, it is very easy to get into a situation where warm, moist air with a high water vapor content enters the gas tank.
Remember the situation? The tank was full, the fuel was used up almost to zero, we drove up to refuel. We open the lid - p-sh-sh-sh-sh-sh ... Atmospheric air went into the tank. And we fill it in half. When the temperature drops, the moisture condenses and, already in liquid form, sinks to the bottom of the gas tank. And it cannot evaporate from it - gasoline is lighter than water, "covers" it and does not allow it to evaporate. And so, drop by drop, water begins to collect in the gas tank.
Therefore, to prevent the accumulation of water in the gas tank, it is advisable to keep it as full as possible and refuel at every opportunity. If the situation permits, avoid refueling on particularly foggy days with empty tank pouring the minimum. If you are already refueling, pour “under the cap” to almost completely displace moist air from the gas tank.
About the "cunning" owners of gas stations, who are not averse to increasing the volume of fuel sold by adding water, we will not talk now. Better avoid "casual connections", use trusted gas stations. At long trips better to take a canister with you than to risk it.
But no matter how hard the owner tries, there is definitely water in his gas tank, at least 50-100 g, but there is. And no matter how carefully you behave, sometimes there are situations when the signal light comes on, and there are still more than a dozen kilometers to a decent gas station ... Therefore, you need to get rid of water, best of all before the cold weather.
And getting rid of the water in the gas tank is quite simple. Water practically does not mix with gasoline. But it mixes well with alcohol! Almost any: ethyl, methyl, isopropyl. The main thing is that it should not be already diluted. However, the degree of water content in alcohol is easy to check by ignition. Pure alcohol burns with an almost invisible flame.
Therefore, in order to dissolve water in a gas tank, it is necessary to pour 200-500 ml of pure alcohol into it. When mixed with water, alcohol forms a mixture, the density of which is the same as that of gasoline. And this mixture, firstly, will no longer freeze, and secondly, it goes through the entire fuel system without problems for the engine and burns like ordinary fuel. Moreover, its amount is negligible compared to gasoline.
Today, auto shops offer various gas tank water removers, fuel system cleaners STP, 3TON, RunWay, Expert, BBF. Judging by the descriptions, they bind water, “raising” it from the bottom in order to send it along with fuel to the combustion chamber and from there to the exhaust pipe.
You can put text in a frame and on a substrate!
On a note
If you pour alcohol into petrol tank, then it’s better not to drive immediately after that, but to refuel the car “to the eyeballs”. But in a diesel engine it is more efficient to pour about half a liter of diesel fuel into 50 liters machine oil. When driving, oil and water from shaking form an unstable emulsion that burns well. If your diesel engine has a sump, then you don’t need to fill anything other than diesel fuel into it. In any case, getting rid of water, which is the case with gasoline and diesel, is very good to do before a long trip. During this trip, you should try to burn all the fuel to the end. The main thing at the same time is not to stay on the road: nevertheless, in the last liters it is better to refuel before the traffic jam.
Famous every year global companies I make newer cars. Each car has its own characteristics, new developments and gadgets. However, no matter how good the car is, there is a risk of water getting into the gas tank. Beginners in the automotive business will probably think that there is nothing wrong with this, but the water in the gas tank is dangerous for both the car and the person. What happens if you pour water into the gas tank, you ask? Problems can be very different, ranging from a small rust to a car breakdown. IN diesel engines water can cause damage fuel pump, or rather, plunger pair. She can destroy these auto parts in a matter of days. Concerning gasoline engine, then a dangerous pest can cause damage to the sprayer or nozzles.
Water entering the fuel tank is dangerous backfire
What happens if water gets into the gas tank in winter
Water in the gas tank is especially dangerous in winter. Then it can freeze in the pipelines and form an ice plug. There is a way out - it's a warm garage. However, not everyone has a garage. This means that it is necessary to deal not with the consequences, but to destroy the root cause, which we will discuss below. If the water is still frozen in the pipelines, then you can get rid of the ice plug complete disassembly engine and pipeline blowing warm air. However, this is a very labor-intensive and long-term process.
Water in a gas tank: where does it come from?
Three ways to get rid of water
What should you do if you experience any of the symptoms listed above?
The first way is the simplest. You can completely drain the gasoline from the tank and then refill new gasoline"to the eyeballs". This method is simple and reliable, but then you have to constantly ensure that water does not enter the tank again. You will have to keep the gas tank filled to the brim at all times, and this is quite difficult.
The second method will not help you get rid of the water, but it can make the task easier. There are special chemicals, which bind water molecules and make them heavier. Of course, such funds can help, but the water will remain in the tank. After using such a tool, in order to remove water, you should resort to the first method.
The third method is the most common, and also the most effective, is the use of alcohol. Alcohol will help you remove water quickly and reliably. The method of removing water with alcohol has been known to motorists for decades. This method has been passed down from generation to generation, from your grandfather to your father, and then to you. But if you still did not know about this miracle remedy, then we will now share this magical way with you.
To begin with, you should take 300-400 ml of alcohol. Before filling the tank, pour this amount of alcohol. Alcohol, when mixed with water, forms a substance that is similar in density to fuel. Thanks to this substance, we can say “vodka”, water will never freeze in the tank and pipelines. Moreover, "vodka" will burn in the same way as gasoline. It should be said that store funds to remove water from the gas tank are based on alcohol. So this method will not only remove water perfectly, but also save you money.
