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Adverse weather conditions damage equipment no less than working under heavy loads. And one of the biggest setbacks is condensation. Water droplets collected in an unexpected place lead
At first glance, condensation is harmless. And really, how can dew drops on the body be harmful? However, moisture collects not only outside, but also in the parts and turns into a source of rust after a few months. For example, water in clogged sills, doors and hidden body cavities leads to the development of corrosion on internal surfaces. Fluid even builds up in the muffler, and some professionals drill holes in the can to drain it. But the worst part is when water collects in the gas tank.
The fuel tank has a large internal surface area. From above it is heated through the cabin floor, and the lower part is cooled under the flow of incoming air. And these are ideal conditions for moisture condensation. During overnight stays, 20-30 grams of water forms on the walls. And the dew falls especially intensely in tanks with damaged ventilation systems.
Water droplets are heavier than gasoline. They do not mix with it and sink to the bottom, where they are collected in large lenses. In October-November, after a series of cold weeks, up to a liter of water accumulates in the tank, which “lies” next to the neck of the pump. At the first frost, water is pumped through the grid by the same pump, turns into slush, sticks together into a plug and blocks the flow of fuel. The result is that the engine stalls.
Not everyone can quickly determine the cause of a malfunction. Car owners sometimes go through every possible repair option until the sludge finally melts away. To everyone’s surprise, the car starts as if nothing had happened. However, with the subsequent temperature changes, she again becomes capricious and refuses to go. How can you not think about alcohol?
The chemical industry has long been producing products to prevent condensation in the gas tank. If you look at an auto parts store, vendors will offer a variety of “Anti-Ice” type bottles to choose from. Their main ingredient is isopropanol. But you can use food grade alcohol with the same success. It is safer and chemically neutral to fuel system components. However, it is difficult to buy alcohol. It is much easier to get regular vodka.
Alcohol or vodka dissolves water well. In this case, the resulting cocktail does not freeze and is pumped together with the fuel.
An engineer friend who worked all his life at a defense company once told me about the wonderful properties of the triad of alcohol, water and gasoline. With water he extracted alcohol from a dangerous substance called benzucha, which was used in production to degrease electronic parts. The water dissolved the alcohol from the benzucha, after which it was drained and shared with colleagues.
When adding vodka to a gas tank, a similar process takes place. Alcohol dissolves water and turns into a flammable mixture, which enters the engine and burns in the cylinders without damaging the power unit.
Therefore, a few bottles of vodka or, better yet, pure alcohol, before the onset of cold weather will not harm your car for prevention. How much to fill? About a liter for a full tank of gasoline. And so several times.
But if the problem with condensation occurs again and sludge appears in the pump or filter with alarming frequency during frost, then it will not be superfluous to check the ventilation in the tank. Perhaps the valves are soured or the adsorber is mopping. And then you can’t solve the problem with alcohol. Surgery will be necessary.
At first glance, condensation is harmless. And really, how can dew drops on the body be harmful? However, moisture collects not only outside, but also in the parts and turns into a source of rust after a few months. For example, water in clogged sills, doors and hidden body cavities leads to the development of corrosion on internal surfaces. Fluid even builds up in the muffler, and some professionals drill holes in the can to drain it. But the worst part is when water collects in the gas tank.
The fuel tank has a large internal surface area. From above it is heated through the cabin floor, and the lower part is cooled under the flow of incoming air. And these are ideal conditions for moisture condensation. During overnight stays, 20-30 grams of water forms on the walls. And the dew falls especially intensely in tanks with damaged ventilation systems.
Water droplets are heavier than gasoline. They do not mix with it and sink to the bottom, where they are collected in large lenses. In October-November, after a series of cold weeks, up to a liter of water accumulates in the tank, which “lies” next to the neck of the pump. At the first frost, water is pumped through the grid by the same pump, turns into slush, sticks together into a plug and blocks the flow of fuel. The result is that the engine stalls.
Not everyone can quickly determine the cause of a malfunction. Car owners sometimes go through every possible repair option until the sludge finally melts away. To everyone’s surprise, the car starts as if nothing had happened. However, with the subsequent temperature changes, she again becomes capricious and refuses to go. How can you not think about alcohol?
The chemical industry has long been producing products to prevent condensation in the gas tank. If you look at an auto parts store, sellers will offer a variety of “Anti-Ice” type bottles to choose from. Their main ingredient is isopropanol. But you can use food grade alcohol with the same success. It is safer and chemically neutral to fuel system components. However, it is difficult to buy alcohol. It is much easier to get regular vodka.
Alcohol or vodka dissolves water well. In this case, the resulting cocktail does not freeze and is pumped together with the fuel.
An engineer friend who worked all his life at a defense company once told me about the wonderful properties of the triad of alcohol, water and gasoline. With water he extracted alcohol from a dangerous substance called benzucha, which was used in production to degrease electronic parts. The water dissolved the alcohol from the benzucha, after which it was drained and shared with colleagues.
When adding vodka to a gas tank, a similar process takes place. Alcohol dissolves water and turns into a flammable mixture, which enters the engine and burns in the cylinders without damaging the power unit.
Therefore, a few bottles of vodka or, better yet, pure alcohol, before the onset of cold weather will not harm your car for prevention. How much to fill? About a liter for a full tank of gasoline. And so several times.
But if the problem with condensation occurs again and sludge appears in the pump or filter with alarming frequency during frost, then it is a good idea to check the ventilation in the tank. Perhaps the valves are soured or the adsorber is mopping. And then you can’t solve the problem with alcohol. Surgery will be necessary.
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
