Removing water from fuel tank without drainage plug

Also sprach "Ben Harris" :-

I'd fit a fuel filter in the engine bay. Choose a clear one, and position it so that the outflow is uppermost. Then if any water gets along the pipe it'll get separated at the filter and you'll be able to see it. This'll at least confirm whether there's any water in there in the first place before doing anything like hard work.

remove and clean/dry the tank or put in an additive for water removal

That's a very good idea. I'll do that.

Thanks,

Ben.

But what additive?

-- Malc

Have a look at marine engineering sites, they have various chemicals for removing water from fuel tanks. STP diesel conditioner claims to do the same. One long term problem with water in a diesel tank is a fungal/bactreial build up which clogs tank filters so it's wise to treat it.

I think a water separator filter, as fitted to my tractor would be easy enough to fit. You should be asking yourself how the water is getting into the tank.

AJH

My local car shop sells something that is called something like "Dry fuel" by Wynn's:

Wynn's Dry Fuel is a product suitable for diesel and petrol engines developed to absorb water in the fuel system. PROPERTIES . Absorbs water in the fuel system (tested and inspected by TÜV Rheinland Gruppe according to 2 PfG 956/08.94 and certified). . Protects against rust and corrosion. . Prevents icing in the carburettor and fuel filter. . Provides a better cold start performance. APPLICATIONS . Recommended for all petrol and diesel engines with or without turbocharger. . For motorcycles, mopeds, stationary engines, storage tanks.

mrcheerful

I must admit that I haven't looked into how water could be getting in. I'm not 100% sure that it is, but the fact that changing the fuel filter made it better for a bit made me think it could be. It's something that started suddenly, and hasn't got worse - just hasn't gone away! I was guessing it may have come from a bad 'fill-up' from a petrol station. Could such a thing happen, or is there no such thing as 'bad fuel' nowadays?

Thanks for the advice.

Ben.

That sound quite promising. I give some of that a try and see if it makes a difference. Do you know if it's something that works straight away, or will is take a tankful of petrol for it to take effect?

Ben.

It was somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the drugs began to take hold. I remember "Malc" saying something like:

Methanol. Cheap to buy - bung a litre in the tank.

With a full tank of fuel of course. IT does work well though - cleared out a Rover with some water in like this once.

Are you sure it is not rust in the tank? My VW Polo gave me a bit of trouble trying to sort that out and I had to replace the tank too. pete

Water can and does accumulate in the underground fuel tanks at petrol stations. There is a compound that is applied to the tank dip-stick that shows the water level. The outlet of the tank is some distance (about 1ft?) above the floor to prevent water being dispensed.

Also sprach "PM" :-

I believe there's also a float valve which should shut off the uptake if it gets as far as water.