Contaminated fuel O/T

Copped a load of rusty-water contaminated Unleaded on my way to Port
Macquarie this past weekend & need to clean out the cage's fuel tank.
(Better half refused to go on the XX in the wet)
Have heard that adding metho will assist...info/detailed instructions would
be appreciated.
Grump

 

Unfortunately the only way to be sure you've got a clean tank will be
to remove it from the vehicle, empy it, then flush it a few times with
water.

Give it a final rinse with metho, and leave it in the sun until the
last of the liquid evaporates (no more "sloshing" when you shake it.)

I don't know what your car is, but if it's even remotely recent I
suspect you're in for a bad time. :-/


BTH

 

Metho will fix water, it won't fix rust, and blocked injectors/jets
are a pain in the arse.

Empty it asap, there is nothing worse than spending months chasing
down loss of power issues from blockages in the fuel system (yes I'm
speaking from experience)

JL
(particularly when the loss of power is as you're about to
overtake...)

 

We used to use one pint to 9 gallons (1 litre per 55/60litres approx)but
that was only to remove condensation and such from the fuel.

You probably need to empty your tank first - especially if you got any
rust particles as well as they will soon clog up your filter.

Mrmoped

 

Thanks for the responses. Its an 18 mth old Astra which has the tank located
forwards under the rear seat so syphoning from the filler is out & tank
removal would require removing the exhaust system as well.
Will attempt repeated syphoning & flushing from under the car after removing
filler hose from tank & take it from there...
For those up this way or who ride the Oxley, the source was the Moorlands
Caltex.

 

Trade it in, or, assuming it's insured, go for the "jewish stocktake".

I'll try and remember that for next week.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Could be worthwhile contacting Caltex, you would not be the only victim of
the operators negligence in letting the tank level gt so low and/or not
maintaining it by pumping out the 'dregs' on a regular basis.

 

Metho probably won't help, but isopropyl might. Depending on the amout of
water in the tank.

Better still, drain the tank as suggested.

 

Will attempt repeated syphoning & flushing from under the car after

It may be easier to get into the tank via the fuel guage sender unit. Once
the tank is empty, check for undesired crud, whack a new fuel filter in and
refill the tank with clean juice, add some metho and it should be hunky-
dory

 

Sender unit is on the top of the tank so had to drain via filler hose
opening, after which I applied an external 12V supply to the pump to get the
dregs. Then flushed & repeated, first with clean fuel then metho...obtained
approx half a cup of brown water.
Filled tank with fresh fuel, replaced filter, went for a drive...seems ok so
far.

 

Contacted Caltex customer service after station owner/manager failed to
return my call,
Was informed they will investigate & compensate if station found at fault.
G.

 

Good news! Let's hope that's solved your problem.

It's good if you can get away with it via the slightly-less-work
technique. ;-)


BTH