Water in gas?

[X6StringerX]

I'm not exactly sure if this is the problem, but I filled up today from a nearly empty tank. It took a little over 16 gallons. Anyway, it started up fine when leaving the gas station, but I drove about 2 miles to a store and when I came back out and started the X, it idled around 400rpms or so for about 5 or 6 seconds. I gave it a little gas and it went up to around 1100rpms and hung there for a few seconds and then dropped down to around 650-700rpms, which is where it normally idles. It done this three more times this evening. Its never happened before. Normally, when I start the X, it shoots up to around 1100rpms for just a few seconds and then drops down to 650-700rpms.

Do you guys think there could be water in my tank, or maybe thats just a coincidence?

I friend of mine, who is an ASE mechanic and works at NAPA, told me that he sat in on a seminar once that demonstrated the effectiveness of several different water removing products as well as a few others. He said STP doesn't work at all. Any suggestions for other products if this is my problem?





EDIT: I should also add that the X ran fine all evening as far as driving it. It was happened during 3 of the startups. There was no backfiring or missing while driving...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I would check your IAC, it may be sticking. If you aren't having any driveability problems, then I doubt you have water in the gas.

 

[X6StringerX]

I thought about the IAC, but it just seemed like too much of a coincidence, lol.

I made sure it drove good on the way home. *cough lead foot cough*

I love the X, but during these last few weeks, its been one thing or another. I'm still sticking to my plans though...

 

[shamaal]

If your station dispenses gasohol, water isn't a problem. Alcohol is wht we use to add to gas tanks to combine with the water and remove. The most popular of these products in Wisconsin was Heet. 100% isopropyl (I think) alcohol.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

You can get a water remover at any auto parts store its called sta-bill or something like that. Another thing always get gas at the same gas station, this decreases the chance of getting warter from there tank to yours.

 

[X6StringerX]

I thought Stabill was an additive to keep gasoline from gelling? How does getting gas at the same station decrease your chance of getting water, lol?

I normally get gas at a little full service station down the road because I know the owner, but I found myself about an hour from home today with less than 1/4 tank...

 

[Heavymentill]

The most popular of these products in Wisconsin was Heet.

As shamaal stated. http://www.goldeagle.com/heet/index.htm
I used it alot.

 

[cgriffin_5139]

Well if you go to the same gas station you will know were your getting the water from wont you.

 

[Heavymentill]

Condensation is the usual cause for water in your fuel tank.

 

[Doubt Incarnate]

was there a tanker delivering gas while you were filling? sometimes when a load is delivered all the debris get stirred up and you pump it right into you tank, fuel pumps and filters love that stuff.

 

[X6StringerX]

Well if you go to the same gas station you will know were your getting the water from wont you.

Well, I was almost on empty and the symptoms started after I filled up and I obviously remember where I got gas, so I see no problem determining where I got the water... if, in fact, it turns out to be water.



Doubt_Incarnate,

There wasn't a tanker while I was there, but I suppose he could have just left... who knows?




I guess I'll clean the IAC tomorrow to see if that does anything. Cheapest replacement I've found was $56... atleast its not $156...

 

[ExplorerDMB]

That's the problem with Ethonal, it contains a little more H20 than normal gasoline. However, BG and NAPA both have a fuel dry additive you can add to your tank that is suppose to absorb the moisture out of the fuel. I'd recommend doin that if you think that's your issue (cost like 4-6 bucks). Get that water out (if it is water) and never go to that station again because the fuel systems insides can be ruined easily with water

-Drew

 

[X6StringerX]

I added some of the water remover yesterday and I had one rough start today out of about ten. When I got home, I removed the IAC and liberally sprayed some electrical contact cleaner inside. I was expecting the fluid to be dark, but it was clear. I noticed about 15-20 really small black flakes (about the size of a ball point pen... some a little bigger) as the fluid drained onto a terry towel.

I started the X up after reinstalling the IAC and it idled fine. I hope this solves my problem.

 

[shamaal]

That's the problem with Ethonal, it contains a little more H20 than normal gasoline. However, BG and NAPA both have a fuel dry additive you can add to your tank that is suppose to absorb the moisture out of the fuel. I'd recommend doin that if you think that's your issue (cost like 4-6 bucks). Get that water out (if it is water) and never go to that station again because the fuel systems insides can be ruined easily with water

-Drew

Looking at the dry gas ingredients after some google searches, they are ethanol based (with some methanol or isopropyl ones also). As pointed out alcohol loves to mix with water, if you are using a gasoline already mixed with alcohol, adding more alcohol won't increase the absorption, unless there is a tremendous amount of water in your tank.

In the old days before alcohol was part of the mix, adding a pint of alcohol was the only way to get the water out of the gas, short of draining and straining through chamois. Otherwise the water would sit in the bottom of the tank and rust a hole or would foul the filter. In the winter it would freeze in the lines and cause all kinds of random failures.

There were horror stories, perhaps true, about the effects of alcohol and its absorbed moisture upon gasoline engines, fuel pumps and fuel lines. The engines and stuff are supposed to have been modified to prevent damage.