Water in petrol tank

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:47 pm

Got back from hols to find the petrol cap lying on the floor beside the car. Doesn't seem to be damaged - lock still works etc.

First I thought it was just some chav syphoning off my petrol, but now I'm worrying about how much rain got into the petrol tank while the cap was off, and then got to thinking what else has been poured in there. Sand? Sugar? Uh-oh!

Does it matter if the rain got in? Will it even start if there is water in the tank?

Any suggested course of action other than starting the car and crossing fingers?

Syphon off a sample into a jug and see what's in there?

Cheers,
Graeme

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:55 pm

Is there a drain point? The fuel will float on top of the water/sugar

DO NOT START IT IF YOU SUSPECT ITS BEEN TAMPERED WITH!!!

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:24 pm

Dunno about drain points. Will the service manual tell me?

I won't start it till it's all checked out.

Cheers,
G

Post by **Shug** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:10 pm

I think draining it involves removing the tank, from (hazy) memory....

Hope I'm wrong.

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:29 pm

Graeme

The spring flap across the filler pipe should stop water ingress.

tut

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:46 pm

Could you not pull the tank sender behind the pax seat and get in there to drain the tank with a hand pump or syphon?

Post by **Shug** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:22 pm

RICHARDHUMBLE wrote:Could you not pull the tank sender behind the pax seat and get in there to drain the tank with a hand pump or syphon?

Might be able to - I know you can't get the pump out, but syphoning could be doable....

hiscot · Post by **hiscot** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:50 pm

i fitted a upgraded pump and their was a small amount of water/rust in my tank
you wont get to undo the pump with the tank in place

their is a slight depresson where the pump sits and using a syphon wont clear all the tank
either remove the tank or syphon from filler neck hose ( car jacked over )then use the pump to clear the rest but add 2 stroke oil to lube the pump ( they dont like being run dry) and reflush with clean pet/oil mix
to remove the tank is not too hard just fiddly

Michael · Post by **Michael** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:34 pm

Use an endoscope to check for sand etc....as you do.....

or

Use syringe and thin hose to sample the stuff

Good luck....