Every year, car manufacturers introduce more and more advanced technologies into their models, equip them with all kinds of electronic systems, including auxiliary and warning sensors. But, no matter how surprising automotive progress today is, there are such phenomena that can harm a car, regardless of its technological stuffing. Among such phenomena is water in the gas tank. Someone, not always experienced, might probably think that water does not carry anything dangerous. However, this is a big misconception, because the consequences can be the most serious, and for everyone - both for the car and for the owner. What can happen if water gets into the gas tank? The consequences can be of varying severity: from minor corrosion to failure of key vehicle components.
For power plants operating on heavy fuel, water ingress is fraught with malfunction of the injection pump, more precisely − plunger pair. H2O, harmless at first glance, can damage these elements of the fuel system within the shortest possible time. If speak about gasoline engine, then here the danger threatens the nozzles or the injector sprayer.
Consequences of water entering the tank in winter
Condensation that has seeped into the gas tank during the winter cold is especially dangerous. It can cause ice to form in pipelines, thus provoking an ice barrier. solved this problem by thawing in the underground parking, or in a heated garage. But the possibility of driving a car to a warm place does not always exist, and it may be necessary to figure it out “here and now”. With water frozen in the pipelines, getting rid of the ice obstacle during “emergency care” occurs by warming the pipes, followed by pumping the system. It will be necessary to disconnect the fuel supply, and turn the starter until clean fuel comes out. Therefore, it is worth preparing for the fact that the process will be delayed for for a long time and will take a lot of effort.
Where does the condensate come from in the tank?
Where does the water in the gas tank come from? The first thing to consider is the human factor. Often, the person himself becomes the cause of this trouble. How? Everything is very simple - in pursuit of more profit unscrupulous gas station owners do everything to get as much net profit as possible. So they dilute gasoline with all kinds of additives - this is how condensate gets into petrol tank along with fuel, by debossing. Therefore, it makes sense to refuel your iron friend only on proven, reliable filling stations which enjoy a good reputation among motorists.
Humid atmosphere
The reason for the formation of water in the tank can be the banal humidity of the air. Often this happens in spring (or autumn). Therefore, when opening the cap of the gas tank at this time of the year, you can sometimes observe the accumulation of water on the cap. This is the condensate. Condensation in the tank increases in direct proportion to the humidity of the air. Moisture droplets, together with gasoline, penetrate into the tank, and then they precipitate at the bottom, because gasoline is lighter than water. Over time, moisture accumulates and the gas tank is gradually replenished with water.
Illiterate transportation, or non-compliance with fuel storage conditions
It also causes water to form. And here, as in the first case, the person is often to blame. Gas station owners often neglect the rules for storing fuel, hoping that nothing bad will happen anyway. This is a manifestation of negligence in relation to your client.
Fog
It also poses a certain danger and forms water in the tank. High humidity causes water seepage. Therefore, if it becomes necessary to refuel at high humidity, you should try to fill the full tank.
Human factor
Probably the rarest of all these reasons, but nonetheless there is a place to be. Your neighbors can be pests. The nature of human conflicts is very diverse: he put the car in the wrong way, looked the wrong way, bought a car that was not the same as everyone else (expensive, beautiful, dynamic, and so on). Often, banal envy pushes people to not the most beautiful deeds. So they can pour some water into the tank, so that later in the morning, from the window, drinking a cup of coffee, contemplate a pleasant sight - how a neighbor runs around his car, swearing loudly and cursing everything around.
Symptoms of "water in the car"
Knowing how to remove water from a gas tank is useless if you do not understand the main symptoms of such a nuisance.
- The first symptom is difficulty starting the engine. In the morning, sitting behind the wheel of a car, you can feel that the engine does not want to start with experienced ease - moisture in the tank may be to blame. During long downtime(particularly at night) moisture accumulates on the bottom in the form of sediment, making it difficult cold start ICE.
- The second sign may manifest itself in uneven work. power plant. In addition to the difficult starting of the motor, the latter may exhibit strange behavior (triple).
- The third sign is characterized by slow engine operation. You may feel that the car is extremely reluctant to accelerate, which may indicate the presence of condensation in the gas tank.
Fighting methods
How to remove water from a gas tank? There are many ways to solve this problem. All of them will not save you completely from seepage of moisture, but will limit its amount.
- Full tank filling.
- The need for constant refueling.
- Refuel only at approved petrol stations.
Consider possible ways how to remove water, in more detail.
Ways to solve the problem
The essence of the first method is to drain the fuel - the simplest solution. You can completely empty the tank of fuel, rinse it, and then refuel with a new one to the maximum. Simple and reliable, but requires constant control so that the condensate does not enter the tank again. You will have to constantly refuel and keep the fuel level at the limit, which is very expensive.
The next way out may be to use special chemicals that bind H2O molecules together, making them heavier. So you can significantly reduce the amount of moisture in the tank, but you will not get rid of it completely. The use of this additive requires the subsequent withdrawal of water (the first method).
Similar products are available in the line of all major manufacturers of automotive chemicals.
And finally, the third solution: the most common and most effective is to remove water with alcohol. Or use a ready-made moisture displacer. The use of an alcohol solution removes the condensate very quickly. Motorists have been removing water with alcohol for quite a long time. And this is a very popular method.
First we take 0.3-0.4 liters of alcohol solution. Before filling the tank, fill in this solution in the specified amount. When H2O and alcohol interact, a substance is formed that is similar in density to fuel. Water will not freeze fuel lines thanks to this substance. Moreover, the combustion of this solution is like fuel. Also noteworthy is one interesting fact- all additives that are designed to remove moisture in the tank are based on alcohol. Therefore, you can not spend once again, but simply pour the alcohol solution.
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 refuel your car as soon as possible, maintaining its fullness. 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 about 300 g of pure alcohol into the fuel tank of a car, which, mixed with water, forms a mixture that has 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.
Winter colds are coming and you need them. And what I consider one of the most important points– Remove excess water from the fuel tank. If this is not done, it is fraught with bad consequences (which we will discuss below). Now there are many different “moisture-displacers” on the market, but they cost a lot (sometimes a branded tube from 400 rubles), but today we will get by with improvised means for literally 25-35 rubles, there will be a video version, so we read and watch ...
I had experience in winter period when the car did not want to start, and everything was fine - candles, a battery, ignition coils, and even fuel seemed to enter the ramp a little (but not enough, apparently), when they drove it into warm box, turned out to be moisture inside, which turned into ice - WHO COULD think.
How does water enter the gas tank
But really, where does it come from? There are several reasons:
- Condensate . Now, many people on the Internet write - “almost 200 - 300 ml per year is formed from condensate in the tank!” Friends, this is all nonsense, yes, maybe there is some percentage, but it is very small, well, it will not be more than 20 ml per year, but still there is moisture!
- Precipitation . It seems to me that it gets most of all with precipitation, when we refuel in the winter in snow or in autumn and spring in the rain. Here then a few drops pass, and for a year or two it is 50 - 70 ml.
- Petrol . At gas stations, there is often water in underground storage facilities. There is either the same condensate, or dishonest sellers.
As a result, according to average statistics, from 100 to 200 ml can form in a gas tank in 3-4 years.
Why is this moisture dangerous?
There are metal fuel tanks that corny rust, but as I wrote, the worst reason for me was freezing fuel filter.
Now, basically in all cars, the fuel pump is located in the tank. To protect against the passage of moisture and all sorts of dirt, it has a fine mesh that does not allow anything but gasoline to pass through.
It is on it that moisture settles, and in winter it all turns into ice. Thus, the pump cannot pump fuel, either at all or partially. It strains and may even break (it's trite to overheat).
I advise YOU once a year to fill in prophylactic agents that will remove all excess from the tank, and their cost is VERY low
Well, now let's move on to the most interesting, about "displacers and removers"
ALCOHOL, ACETONE and SOLVENT
To begin with, a little practice and folk methods:
Perfectly remove all water excess ALCOHOL, especially ethyl (ordinary medical), methyl (poisonous) and isopropyl.
You need to add about 200 - 250 ml per 40 liters of gasoline, this is the most optimal dose.
Water has the highest density, so it sits at the bottom and doesn't mix with gasoline. Alcohol has a slightly higher density than gasoline and sits in the middle between the water lock and the fuel. Accordingly, it mixes perfectly and, roughly speaking, forms vodka (if you pour ethyl).
BUT alcohols are now very difficult to find, in Russia they are banned and it is almost impossible to buy them in a pharmacy. However, "isopropyl" can be found in radio products or household markets.
Therefore, let's go a little differently, ACETONE and SOLVENT work great. The second drug is of course a little worse, because the octane number of SOLVENT is only 60 - 70, but ACETONE is about 100.
They also need about 250 - 300 ml, per tank of 40 liters. And you need to fill up when you refuel
As a result, if alcohols are not found, then these light hydrocarbons can be poured.
How is the fuel tank removed?
Now you can bombard me with many examples from YOUTUBE or articles from the Internet where experiments are being made and ALCOHOLS and ACETONE that have absorbed moisture cannot mix with gasoline!
AND IT IS TRUE! Then you ask - "what's the point then in all this?" But it's very simple - we don't need to mix them together.
The task for alcohols and acetone and other compounds is to conduct this mixture through the fuel filter mesh, then into the engine combustion chamber, where it will burn out perfectly and leave through the muffler
In simple words, water, when combined with an active liquid, turns into combustible mixture that is on fire! And it freely passes through the filters, it does not have to be mixed with gasoline, it will burn out in the engine cylinders anyway. And just like that, she just leaves the tank. And Voilà, it's empty. It's great!
A FEW WORDS ABOUT COST. Half a liter of ACETONE now costs about 70 rubles, you need to fill in half, that is, only 35 rubles. VERY budget.
REMOVERS - REMOVERS from the magazine
I know many people are simply afraid to pour ACETONES into gas tanks. There are some myths that are "exaggerated" on the network:
- Bad for rubber bands
- Bad for plastic
- For sensors, etc.
Like this composition is so active that everything and everything will corrode at once. BUT friends, gasoline itself is also active, and as you can see, nothing bad happens. Moreover, many pour ACETONE to increase power ( octane number) every time you refuel. This is also debatable, I do not urge you to do this, but those 250 ml that we add will not bring any harm, we do not pour 2.5 or 5 liters!
In general, for those who are afraid, but want to remove the water slurry. Buy any (even the cheapest) remover in the store. And fill it up.
That's all, now we're watching the video version.
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? |
Almost everyone is more or less experienced driver heard about the practice of using alcohol as a gas tank cleaner from water. Given that the winter cold will come very soon, it is simply necessary to remove excess liquid from the tank, because it can cause some problems (we will talk about them below). Some people think that you can pour alcohol into the gas tank, which will effectively remove water, but there are opposite opinions. Nevertheless, various moisture displacers are now being sold on the market, but their price is quite high (a regular branded tube can cost 400 rubles or more). Therefore, many drivers prefer to mix alcohol and gasoline, which will cost only 20-30 rubles. Let's try to figure out what this practice is and whether it is dangerous to apply it.
Why pour alcohol into a gas tank?
Eat different reasons through which water can enter the tank. Given that its density is higher than the density of the fuel, it settles at the bottom of the tank. The fuel pump pumps fuel almost from the bottom, so some of the water can be captured along with gasoline. This will adversely affect the efficiency of the power system and engine. It is best to avoid this if possible.
In winter, the bottom layer of water in the tank can freeze at all, and the ice will block the way for gasoline to enter. As a result, the car will not even start. And if the car is taken from a cold street, they are brought into warm garage and after that it starts up successfully (the ice melts), then this indicates the presence of water in the tank. In this case, you can try to pour alcohol into the gas tank to remove excess moisture.
How can water even get in there?
Eat different ways formation of water in the tank. At least three can be distinguished:
- Condensate. In five years, about 100-200 ml of water can form in the tank. This is negligible.
- Precipitation. When refueling in snow or rain, water may enter the tank in small quantities. On average, over several years, about 100 ml of water can run up.
- Petrol. The fuel itself, which is located in the underground storage, may also contain water. This indicates either the presence of condensate, or dishonest sellers. Even if you buy the price of which is usually higher, it cannot be guaranteed that it will not contain condensation.
If we take into account all sources of moisture, then in 3-4 years 100-200 ml of water can form at the bottom, which it is desirable to remove from there.
Why is moisture in the tank dangerous?
Many raw metal fuel tanks can simply rust from water. However, most often the danger lies precisely in the freezing of water at a negative temperature. Now almost all modern machines the fuel pump is installed directly in the tank. It has a fine mesh that prevents debris from entering the fuel system. She does not miss anything but gasoline. It is on this grid that moisture settles, and in winter it turns into ice, thus clogging the passage for fuel. Because of this, the fuel pump can even fail due to overheating.
What to pour?
Alcohols are excellent at removing moisture. Ordinary ethyl alcohol shows itself well, you can also use isopropyl or methyl alcohol (poisonous). You need to add a little to the tank - about 200 ml per 40 liters of gasoline.
The density of alcohol is higher than the density of the fuel, so when added, alcohol sinks to the bottom and mixes with water. Speaking very roughly, when mixed, vodka is formed (this is if ethyl alcohol is poured). However, due to the ban, it is not sold in pharmacies, and it is difficult to find it. However, isopropyl can be searched in the economic markets or in radio products.
You can also use solvent or acetone. Of course, it is best to add alcohol to gasoline. It is more efficient to remove water with its help, but these drugs will also cope. The solvent is a little worse in this regard, since its octane number is in the region of 60-70, and the number of acetone is about 100.
It is also necessary to pour them into the tank in a small amount - about 250-300 ml per 40 liters of fuel. Moreover, it is desirable to pour them immediately after refueling.
What happens if alcohol or acetone is added to gasoline?
Given that alcohol or acetone is not miscible with gasoline, there are questions about the effectiveness of this method of removing moisture from the tank. In fact, the purpose of alcohol is not to mix with gasoline. Alcohol or acetone, when mixed with water, forms a combustible mixture that can pass through the filter unhindered fuel pump and ignite in the combustion chamber.
As a result, excess moisture or water will be removed from the fuel tank, and the water itself with acetone, with a very small amount, will not cause any significant harm. fuel system or the engine itself. Therefore, it is not necessary for acetone to mix with gasoline in order for the effective cleaning water tank. Therefore, it is not always appropriate to pour alcohol into the gas tank. You can even get by with ordinary acetone, which is sold everywhere.
As for the cost, 500 ml of acetone costs an average of 70 rubles. We only need half of this (250 ml), which will cost 35 rubles. It's cheap enough for complete removal water from the fuel tank.
Magazine displacers
Many car owners believe that acetone or alcohol can harm the engine or its power system, so they prefer not to pour these products into the gas tank. Some write that such products harm rubber bands, plastic and even sensors. different systems car. And although all this is at the level of rumors, many car owners do not want to take risks. Although you shouldn’t panic too much about this, since 250 ml of acetone will definitely not do any harm. Moreover, it is possible that acetone will be able to dissolve years of deposits on the bottom of the fuel tank, and in some cases it will even clean the nozzles, and they will work better. Rubber and plastic in fuel line construction are also attacked by acetone, but adding 250 ml every 4 years will not hurt.
In general, you can buy some cheap store-bought product (fuel dryer) and fill it up. If you read the composition of this product, then the following substances will most likely be indicated there: ethers, alcohols, solvent, surfactant. In fact, this is the same thing, only in a special package. The cost of such a drug can vary between 100-400 rubles. Manufacturers recommend using them for prevention, which is logical, because you have to remove water every 3-4 years. It is beneficial for the manufacturer that their dehumidifier is bought more often.
Can you pour vodka?
Some drivers pour vodka into the tank, but this is completely stupid. Yes, it contains alcohol, but it contains even more water. Therefore, to remove liquid from the tank, vodka should never be poured. This will only increase the water content at the bottom. Only alcohol (or acetone) can dissolve and absorb it.
Conclusion
Alcohol in a gas tank is almost folk remedy to remove condensate from the bottom. It is cheap and efficient, and its presence in the fuel composition will not harm the engine or the fuel line in any way. Moreover, some specifically use alcohol as an additive to increase the octane number, which once again confirms complete security its use.
Taking into account the price of 95 gasoline and alcohol itself, removing water from the system will not require large financial investments. Therefore, if there is a suspicion of the presence of liquid in the tank, then feel free to fill in 200 ml of alcohol and forget about this problem for the next 3-4 years. Judging by the reviews of car owners, this way really working and efficient. However, drivers often argue about exactly how much alcohol or acetone should be poured. But it is clearly not worth zealous here. It is logical that a liter of alcohol in the fuel tank with a small amount of gasoline will only harm the car.
If in doubt about the use of acetone or alcohol, then buy some kind of fuel tank dryer from the store and follow the instructions. That will be safer.
