I've read where you are supposed to not let your truck get below half full during the winter at least. Something about condensation in the fuel tank buliding up and it's being bad for the engine. Anyone know the real skinny on this? I drove my last couple of cars and sold them at 150K still going strong without doing this but I'd like to know what you guys know about the subject. Any authorities on the subject?

Thanks!

Steve

 

I've heard the same thing. The theory is that as the temperature drops, condensation can form inside your tank. This adds water to your fuel and can prevent your car/truck from starting/running correctly. Keeping your tank fuller makes condensation within the tank less likely. Anybody else got info on this?

 

With the new emmission controls concerning the tank vapors they will keep that in check unless you buy some chitty gas that has alot of water in it (leaking storage tanks). There are products that will remove moisture from the tank but read the instructions carefully.

 

Ive heard to keep it more than half empty....would this work too?....

 

this helps prevent fuel line freeze up the do sell items that will help with this as in dry gas and so on but they are made of mostly methanol witch over use could cause corrosion to alum. parts,,, just my two cents

 

Yes, condensation can form in the gas tank and lines when the temperature fluctuates between mild and cold. And it can freeze within the lines as well causing driveability problems if not total shut down of the engine. Usually doesn't harm anything, just a major inconvenience. And gas-line antifreeze off the shelf is nothing more than methyl hydrate, which does not harm seals or lines, all it does is bond with the moisture and make it combustible.

 

Water is heavier than gas so it collects on the bottom of the tank. In summer it it not a problem as the gas sloshes around the fuel pump picks up some water and it it taken out and burnt with a poor fire as it burns.

In winter the water freezes and the ice floats on the top of the gas like a slushie. Keeping the tank half full keeps the ice out of the fuel lines where it can cause problems with fuel flow.

If you live in an area with reformulated gas this is not a problem. Methanol product will allow the water to mix with the gas and get taken out and burned up.

Gas stations are busy the day before a snow storm or cold spell. I think mostly people don't want to fill up on a cold or snowy day.

 

I run mine anywhere from empty sucking on fumes to full to the rim. Never had a problem with frozen fuel lines. Todays corn gas keeps the moisture in check. If I was to travel to places where it was realy cold I would run it full all the time just so I wouldn't run out of gas and have to freeze my but off walking to the gas station.

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

I have heard of keeping it 1/2 full so that the fuel pump remains under the gas, this way it is being liquid cooled, and stops premature pump burn out??

 

I thought you already live where it is realy cold?

 

To do that you would need to keep it above where the low fuel light comes on.

 

I moved to Windsor in 1993. I was born in Québec. It was 55°F here in Windsor today.

JMC

 

I don't know the temp here, but it snowed most of the day. so you have good weather, and good places to off road. That's the life.