how do you know if you have moisture in your gas tank? I have tried to start my car it wont.?

Question

i have tried to start my car and it won't i dont let my car go under a 1/2 of tank of gas. i filled it up today and all of a sudden won't start.

Answer 1

use a water detector to see if there is any water residing in your tank. This can be found at hardware shops.

Answer 2

Moisture in the gas tank is almost never a problem. Water is heavier than gas, and sits on the bottom - but the fuel pick-up is not on the bottom, only NEAR the bottom. There is always a little space left for dirt and water to sit.

First, I'd check the fuses. You might have blown the fuel pump fuse.

There are many other things it could be. Assuming that the starter motor still turns the engine over, I'd check that there is a spark, first.

Then check that the fuel is still getting to the engine (a blocked fuel filter, or a broken fuel pump.) After trying to start it for a good 20 seconds, take out a spark plug. Is the end wet, or at least damp? If not, then fuel is not getting to the engine.

At this point, I'd loosen the fuel line where it comes out of the fuel filter. Be careful, residual pressure in the lines can make fuel spray all over the place for a moment. Once the initial pressure is released, turn the ignition to "on" (not "start".) Does fuel pump from the filter? If not, try the same with the fuel line where it joins the filter. If you still don't see fuel, try removing the fuel line at the tank - on most cars, the pump is actually in the tank. If there's still no fuel, then the pump is dead.

It's at about this point that I usually bang my head in frustration on the hood, and go call a tow truck. This is about as far as you can go without a workshop.

Answer 3

You are doing the correct thing regarding the 1/2 full tank. Could be that there is some blockage in the fuel line(kinda unlikely). Check other things first, like a spark to the plugs, check to be sure the air cleaner is good. When it comes to fuel line blockage first check the fuel filter, is it full of fuel? Is it just fuel? Pull off the fuel line to the tank(do this outside) and let it run the fuel out for 15 sec or so and then reconnect to fuel filter. You know the fuel flows in the line. So now you know the fuel can't be the problem. Work thru it step by step. That is what mechanics do.

Answer 4

To check if ther's water in your fuel tank use a waterdetector.

A water detector is basically a paste you put on the end of a stick or tubing and put it in to your gas tank till it hits the bottom (watter will sink to the bottom of your fuel tank), if the paste comes in contact with water the past will turn a different (usually brite) collor.
Good luck.

Answer 5

here's a low cost trial---buy a bottle of HEET, pour it into the gas tank , let it sit for an hour-2 hours if weather is below 15 degrees-oh , and save a tiny bit of the HEET ---now pour that bit into the open top of the carbeurator and try to start

at a hardware store or menards HEET will cost about $2