While most drivers are worried about the price of fuel, a far more insidious enemy is quietly accumulating at the bottom of their tanks. It's condensation - a physical process that can turn your modern car into an expensive pile of iron if not caught in time.
According to industry experts, moisture penetrates the fuel system not only through low-quality fuel, but also through microcracks, ventilation pipes or simply from the air during temperature fluctuations. The result? Water that "floats" under the fuel, waiting for its moment to strike.
Why doesn't water disappear?
Many believe that in the hot summer the water will simply evaporate. Alas, nature has other plans. Since gasoline and diesel are lighter, they form a thick layer above the water, which literally blocks it at the bottom. There it begins its silent work:
Corrosion: The metal walls of the tank (in older cars) and fuel pipes begin to rust from the inside out.
Pogrom over the injectors: Rust and fine water droplets are deadly for the precision nozzles and the fuel pump.
Winter blockage: Moisture freezes at much higher temperatures than the fuel itself, turning into ice plugs that completely paralyze the system.
Symptoms
If your car starts to “cough“ when starting, runs unstable at idle or suddenly loses power, the cause may not be in the spark plugs, but in a “portion“ of water that has got into the combustion chamber. These signs often lead to engine failure at the most inopportune moment, and subsequent repairs to the fuel equipment can empty your bank account in a matter of hours.
How to “dry“ your car?
Experts are categorical – prevention is much cheaper than repair.
Drying additives: Before the onset of frost, it is recommended to use special chemicals that bind to water and allow it to be safely “burned“ in the cylinders.
Full tank: The old rule “always to the top“ in winter is golden. The less air there is in the tank, the less moisture can be deposited on its walls.
Radical measures: In severe cases, it is necessary to dismantle the tank, completely drain it and dry it with hot air in a specialized service station – a procedure that is laborious, but sometimes the only lifesaver.
Ultimately, moisture in fuel is like a ticking time bomb. It may not be critical today, but tomorrow's cold morning start could be the last for your pump.