What should I do if about a gallon of water is poured in my gas tank?

Posted by admin on Oct 9th

Ok, so my girlfriend of two years and I just recently broke up for more than one reason. Now just earlier tonight my roommate caught her in our driveway with an empty 1 gallon container. Apparently….she put water in my tank (some of it spilled on the ground). When I got back from class I got in my car and turned it on, and just then my roommate comes flying at me waving her arms frantically telling me what happened. After discussing why it didn’t make sense to call my phone and inform me right when it happened (and trying fruitlessly to contact my ex), I started researching what to do but I thought I’d ask what may have happened with me just starting the car (nothing seemed wrong at the time) and what would have happened if I started driving.
I noticed that my main question and what I asked for in my explanation were two different questions. Thank you to everyone that answered, you lot basically confirmed my research. What I was really curious about was how quickly the water could affect my car from working and can there be any perminant damage?

Filed Under: Water for Gas FAQ
Tagged: About, Gallon, poured, Should, Tank, Water

10 Responses to “What should I do if about a gallon of water is poured in my gas tank?”

Oct 9th at 12:40 am By: truth_unadulterated

You need to siphon the tank dry. There are probably some STP additives you can put in the tank to help with any vapor left over when you put gas back in the car.

Oct 9th at 1:40 am By: Lily

You will have to have the fuel tank drained and flushed…then get a locking cap fitted…
Once the water gets into the system I think it would just stop..

Oct 9th at 2:17 am By: Loki

Unfortunately you are going to have to have the tank dropped and cleaned out and your fuel system flushed. It would have been better if your roomie had gotten to you before you started the car (saving you the fuel system flush).

Oct 9th at 2:21 am By: Dr. 38-81-32

The water will settle at the bottom of the tank. If you have a drain plug on the tank you can drain it until the water is gone and the fuel is left in the tank. A hose and pump can be used if you direct the hose to the lowest corner of the tank. After you have most of the water removed from the tank you need to add a small amount of alcohol to the tank. Alcohol is soluble with water and will burn.

Oct 9th at 3:17 am By: drumgod09

You would have had a nice little visit to the mechanic. The water would have gone through the fuel system partly with the gas and would have built up in the cylinders until it was enough moisture to prevent combustion.

Oct 9th at 4:12 am By: Pilsner Man

If there is water, the car would have died. If she put in a gallon, you really should get the tank drained, and that may require removal.

If you could get a small hose all the way to the bottom of the tank and siphon a bit out, you would get some water mixed with gas, since water will be at the bottom of the tank.

Oct 9th at 5:04 am By: bajakma

Drain your tank or have it drained at a shop, then contact the police and press charges if in-fact she did put water in your tank. maybe teach her a lesson, but you can also get her to pay for the repair of your car. Make sure there is water in there before you call and report it though.

Oct 9th at 5:30 am By: Harrison

Well the right thing would to call the cops first. But after that dosent work you need to drain the gas tank or siphon it out but most cars these days have siphon guards and this wont work. put fresh fuel in it, as this can be tricky for most people and you may be tight on cash to have the tank dropped and drained there is an alternative. Water isn’t going to hurt you engine or fuel system but it will make your engine run pretty crappy or not at all., If there isn’t much fuel in the tank fill it up to about half with gas cans (don’t drive the car) go out and buy some HEET water absorber to put in your fuel, with your circumstance I suggest you use twice the normal amount then just start your car and let it run in park if your car wont start then leave it alone with the key on for about ten minutes then try again. run till it’s empty or very close keep a close eye on the car and make sure its still running and not overheating about every 10-15 minutes, then fill it back up full and put in another bottle of HEET and youll be good to go and then invest in a locking gas cap..lol.

Oct 9th at 5:50 am By: Featherman

easiest and shortest way – renew the fuel filter, take off the fuel line at the tank and on the carb , or injection header, blow out the water with air from the tank to the front. Clean the carb .Drain the fuel tank , all the muck should come out.
If you have fuel injection add some stuff recommended by the spares shop to clean the system out.
The engine would just have started spluttering and died if you drove like that .
Buy some coolent for your girlfriend.

Oct 9th at 6:00 am By: texaswildman

well if you start driving the water is going to go to your carb. and start messing with your fuel lines.and what ever. best is to drain your tank. and get a good lock for your gas tank. and get some nicer girl friends.

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What should I do if about a gallon of water is poured in my gas tank?