Gas Tank Problems

811 Words2 Pages

No matter how it happened, water in the gas tank of a car is a serious problem. Left untreated it can quickly do thousands of dollars of damage. There are a few things that can be done to prevent water in the tank. If water is already in the tank there are some treatment options.

Water in The Gas Tank

There are many ways that water gets into a gas tank. A tank naturally has a very small amount of water in it from condensation. Normally, this does no damage. A day with extreme temperature swings or very high humidity can get enough water into the tank to do damage. A loose tank cap can also let in more water. Poor quality gas can sometimes contain water too.

Mild and Severe Water Problems

Water in the tank will soon sink to the bottom …show more content…

Water turns to steam in the engine. If a car has too much water in the tank it can blow out the head gasket. The uneven firing can damage the engine's pistons and cylinder walls over time. The fuel pump is not designed to pump water. Too much water in the pump can damage it to the point it no longer functions. A lot of water in the tank may make the car stall out and refuse to turn back on, depending on which system is most …show more content…

If the tank is only half full or less, the tank can be filled with high-test gasoline. In most cases the water will simply be passed through the engine. A water problem bad enough to stall out a car may need the gas to be drained from the tank and fuel system. The fuel filters and other parts might need to be checked for damage. Fill the tank with new high-test gasoline and allow it to run for at least a half an hour.

Avoid Getting Water in the Tank

Removing water from gas tank can be an expensive affair. Keeping water out of the tank is much easier. Perhaps the best way to keep large amounts of water out of the tank is to make sure that the gas tank cap is in good repair. Always be sure to tighten it properly. People who live in areas with practical jokers might like to replace a non-locking gas tank cap with a locking cap.

Take care while refilling the tank. Many problems occur while snow is on the ground. Be sure to clean any snow off the gas tank cap area before removing it. Don't refill a tank in heavy rain unless you are under a shelter. Try to keep at least a half tank of gas in the car at all

More about Gas Tank Problems

Open Document