What Happens If Water Gets Into the Fuel Tank?
2 Answers
If water enters a car's fuel tank, it can cause frequent stalling. The presence of water can lead to rust, corrosion, and aging of the tank. If there is water in the fuel system, it can result in reduced engine power, increased fuel consumption, vehicle shaking, and difficulty starting the engine in winter. Symptoms of water in the fuel tank include hard starting, engine backfiring, high idle speed, or insufficient power. Here are the steps to handle water in the fuel tank: 1. First, allow the mixture to settle, which typically takes about one night, to separate the water from the fuel. Then, remove the water. 2. Next, remove the car's spark plugs and leave them in the sun for a while until you are sure there is no moisture left in them. If the weather is not suitable, you can use methods like blowing hot air to remove moisture from the spark plugs. Do not attempt to start the engine repeatedly until all water has been completely removed from the fuel tank.
I've experienced fuel tank water ingress several times. After that heavy rain, the car was extremely hard to start, shaking violently when stepping on the gas, and eventually stalled on the roadside. When towed to the repair shop, they found significant water accumulation in the fuel tank bottom, mixing with gasoline and clogging the fuel pump intake. The pump was severely rusted. The mechanic said the entire tank and filter needed cleaning, costing over 2,000 RMB to fix. Since then, I always check the fuel cap seal, feeling for wet edges after rain. Difficulty starting or weak acceleration are warning signs. Don't underestimate water infiltration - it corrodes metal pipes, and long-term damage could require replacing the entire system at greater cost. The safety risk is too high; pull over immediately if problems occur.
