my college kids are stranded on the interstate in a car that ran completely out of gas last night, so the tank has been mostly empty in 20 degree weather for a week. They filled up the tank before hitting the road, but now it's stalled and husband thinks condensation caused water in the gas line.
2007-01-26 12:00:28 · 10 answers · asked by Sweet n Sour 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
And if they do put HEET or whatever in the gas tank, how long does that take to work? Thanks!!!
2007-01-26 12:08:50 · update #1
Yes Heet or a bottle of alcohol will work(not isopropal) use the other kind. Add one regular sized bottle to each 10 gallons of gas.
Is the car fuel injected? If so, it could very well be fouled injectors, or fuel filters due to sediment from the bottom of the gas tank. Its not good to run a fuel injected motor completly out of gas. As opposed to a carberated motor.
2007-01-26 15:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by dewhatulike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your fuel gauge is more or less just a relative indicator of the fuel level in the tank. It uses a float on and arm that is attached to a variable resistor. As the level, and thus the float, drops the resistance changes and the gauge indicates the change. What is generally not taken into account is that modern fuel tanks are not consistently shaped. They are essentially molded to fit in whatever space there is under the vehicle, so the top may be smaller than the bottom, or vice versa. As fuel is used, the level may drop slower or faster depending on how wide the tank is at that particular point. Think along these lines: if you took a 1/2 gallon milk jug and a one gallon jug and filled then both to the top; both fill levels would be at about the same height off the table if you put them next to each other; now punch equal sized holes in each one ( say about 1/4" ) near the bottom and drain out 1 quart from each jug. The 1/2g jug's level would be lower now because it is narrower and therefore held less fluid. So that is the main reason why your gauge moves at different speeds. Where the tank is narrower fuel level will drop faster than where it is wider. It sounds like yours is narrower at the top. Automakers could build a computer module that could use the level sensor and algorithms to give a more accurate reading of fuel quantity, but that would drive the price of a new vehicle even higher. If you want to calibrate your gauge yourself, simply fill the tank to the same point each time you fiill up ( one click on the pump, say ), and drive as normal as you can. Once its almost empty, fill up again and divide total miles travelled on that tank by the gallons needed to fill up to get fuel MPG, then you can determine when you are at 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 tankful by the miles travelled since you last filled up. I hope this answered your question alright. Good luck.
2016-05-24 03:36:02 · answer #2 · answered by Phyllis 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get a fuel additive at most any parts store that will remove water from the fuel. after you have added it, it may take a bit of turning over the engine before it will start. the other alternative is remove the fuel line from under the hood and turn the key on (yes, this is going to shoot a stream of gas out). you do this for a second or two and (1) make sure its not due to inadeaquet fuel pressure or fuel blockage (if the gas went to empty, it may have picked up some sediment from the bottle of the tank) and (2) you can perhaps let some of the water in the line shoot out and clear it up. if you go this route, just be careful and check to make sure what youre doing
2007-01-26 12:09:28 · answer #3 · answered by john m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get gas treatments specific designed to remove water. Thery are high in alcohol so it evaporates the water, just like if you pour high grade rubbing alcohol into a glass of water
2007-01-26 12:08:35 · answer #4 · answered by Vampy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a couple cans of dry gas in the tank to get rid of the water.
2007-01-26 12:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HEET gas line antifreeze sold at most convenience stores and shopping centers
2007-01-26 12:04:30 · answer #6 · answered by swksmason 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just put a can of heet in it it does not take long for the the vehicle to work properly
2007-01-26 13:34:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes the problem is the gas filters.
2007-01-26 12:08:33 · answer #8 · answered by Karrose 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
gas line anti freeze, it is alcohol based, available at most gas stations and conveinence stores.
2007-01-26 12:05:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put alcohol in .or marvel.
2007-01-26 12:04:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋