16 replies to this topic

[dan_lake]

Hi all.

I have recurring problem with water in my fuel which in turn is causing an intermittent misfire (a pain in the ass for a daily driver!). I am pretty sure this is due to the cold weather we are having and condensation in the tank.
The first time this happened I had the tank drained, carb stripped and everything cleaned and dried then a fresh tank of fuel. Everything was checked for leaks etc at the same time and there is no way water can enter the system. I have been using different garages for fuel as well to eliminate the possibility of dodgy fuel from a garage and as a rule I tend to not run my tank too empty.

I am aware that in colder countries people often add alcohol/meths. or some other alcohol based fuel additive to cause the water to burn off with the fuel...does this sound reasonable/will it work in a mini without causing any damage?

Any advice would be appreciated
Cheers
Dan

P.S. My mini is a '89 Checkmate 998cc

[Jammy]

Have you got a water heated inlet manifold? Looks like this:


Also, what's your test for knowing there is water in the fuel?

[dan_lake]

No its the standard manifold (inlet and outlet in one). I haven't really got a test for it...the first time it happened I draind the fuel and found water (in a clear container you could see the water). My reasoning for the water now is the fact that it has the same symptoms.

[lrostoke]

Can't say I've experienced that , might be worth checking the tank breather is fitted and clear of obstructions..

Top of tank should be a small pipe connected to a thin hose that goes down through the bootfloor at the rear of the tank

[Disco Dan]

Yes perfectly fine to put a bit of meths in the tank to absorb the water. About a capful will be enough.
Avoid putting too much in though, will make engine 'pink'.

I have done this many times on my motorbikes, the fuel caps tend to leak a little after a while outside.



Every now and again waterlogged fuel comes out of the pumps at gas stations when they get very low.

[stormintrooper]

Have you got a water heated inlet manifold? Looks like this:


Also, what's your test for knowing there is water in the fuel?

regarding this, i heard you can get a little better fuel economy at the sacrifice of a little power with a heated manifold but how do you hook it up to the hose system bearing in mind i want to keep my heater, and would the carb need to be adjusted because of it?

[dan_lake]

Yes perfectly fine to put a bit of meths in the tank to absorb the water. About a capful will be enough.
Avoid putting too much in though, will make engine 'pink'.

I have done this many times on my motorbikes, the fuel caps tend to leak a little after a while outside.



Every now and again waterlogged fuel comes out of the pumps at gas stations when they get very low.

Thanks Disco Dan. I am hoping that meths wont destroy any seals or cause any internal damage?

[dodgy_rider]

Have you got a water heated inlet manifold? Looks like this:


Also, what's your test for knowing there is water in the fuel?

regarding this, i heard you can get a little better fuel economy at the sacrifice of a little power with a heated manifold but how do you hook it up to the hose system bearing in mind i want to keep my heater, and would the carb need to be adjusted because of it?

Ideally You want to keep the fuel going in as cool as possible so the idea of heating the manifold isnt that great, that said Im about to connect up mine because of the cold weather we have been having and as the car is in daily use it's a bit of a pain! I was going to run a T into the heater hose to one side of the manifold then another t back in further down the hose from the other side this way you dont always run water through it. Because of where the valve for the heater sits water will only flow through the manifold when the heater is also on, logically you will only run your heater while it's cold and once your warm hopefully the mini will be too and you can both turn off your heating so to speak!

[dan_lake]

Can people stop jacking my post...I'm trying to solve my 'water in fuel' issue here!! lol

[stormintrooper]

haha sorry dan..but i did try with my own topic in the past, people told me it can improve economy but never addressed the actual question i asked of how to actualy hook it up, once again sorry

[Dan]

I suspect your filler neck is rusted out under the body grommet.

[dan_lake]

Well I tried the meths trick this morning an it didn't work...I ran it for a good 15mins before I was going to leave for work then as soon as I got in, it stuttered and died. Then everytime I tried to start it, it was misfiring badly and eventually would cut out.

Its a new engine (21,000miles when it went in and I have driven around 3000miles since), just had full service and new brakes all round and the last time this happened the whole fuel system, including the tank was checked for its integrity and everything is as it should be.

I am either extremely unlucky and two separate garages (Shell and Tesco) have sold me dodgy fuel or there is something amiss somewhere!

[lrostoke]

suppose you could check the fuel, by disconnecting fuel line off the carb, turn the engine over and pump some fuel into a clear jar, then leave it settle, obviously water and fuel should seperate if theres any in there.

[dan_lake]

suppose you could check the fuel, by disconnecting fuel line off the carb, turn the engine over and pump some fuel into a clear jar, then leave it settle, obviously water and fuel should seperate if theres any in there.

Yeh, I am pretty sure that this is the case anyway because this is the second time this has happened with the same symptoms. The first time the fuel was full of water...the tank was drained, lines drained, carb stripped and cleaned and all was fine for about 2 months...until this week and the same has happened! If it is the case that there is water in the fuel...where the hell would it be coming from?

[Jammy]

Have you checked Dan's reply?