Fuel filler drain point

[craigy990]

Hi guys - I just thought I would post a point I discovered whilst cleaning my car today. It's weird as I filled my Vee with fuel this morning, I thought when I get home I must clean the cap ! A couple of hours later I got round to cleaning the cap and when I removed it the recess was full of water !! After soaking it up with tissue I found the drain point was blocked ! How all that crap got in there is anyone's guess ! So just a reminder to you all - check your drainage hole under the fuel filler !! Mine was FULL UP I presume the cap creates a seal to the filler neck ? Could my fuel be contaminated ??? The water must have been over the filler cap so when I took it off the water would have entered the fuel filler ! Any advice people's ?? If you look at it probably only a couple of say egg cup fulls of water would have gone in there I have flushed the drain point and tested it and water now exits the underside of the car . Would a small amount of water seriously damage my fuel system ?? I have no idea any thoughts are really appreciated :salut:

 

[Jamesv6]

I also sorted this a few months ago. link

 

[craigy990]

Cheers James - is there a risk of fuel contamination ? I swear on my life the water wasn't there this morning - but was when I cleaned it !! 2 hours later ? I have flushed the drain point with a syringe and the water flows out through under car the interior of the filler is very brown so there has been an issue for a while I think tomorrow I'll stuff filler with tissue and give plastic surround a scrub with old toothbrush ! It's plastic as far as I know so should scrub up nicely

 

[Jamesv6]

I noticed water there a few times, never had any fuel issues.

 

[craigy990]

Good good :salut: I was so surprised to see it full of water ! Last time I filled up was probably March ? It must have been there when I topped up today and how I missed it is beyond me ! I no I noticed it was dirty as in the cap but the interior of the filler point is full of brown hard limescale type stuff

 

[Spike]

Hi guys, the risk of fuel contamination is quite real, the blobs of water can sit at the bottom of the tank and rust any steel component, namely the fuel pump. I have seen evidence of this. There is an easy fix though, Wynns do a product called Dryfuel, it is methanol based so absorbs the water allowing it to be burnt with the fuel. There is also a product called Fuel stabiliser that stops the fuel going stale when in storage, usually anything over a month.
I use both of these products and have no problems, available from most motor factors or PM me and I can get it for you.

 

[craigy990]

Cheers for that Spike - the water level was up-to the filler hole so I would presume when I took the cap out the water would have gone into the filler hole ? I will certainly look out for that product !

 

[craigy990]

Just ordered some Wynn's dry fuel ! Really good reviews on it , seems silly not to use it ! And will put my mind at rest !

 

[Spike]

It does work but I would not leave the dry fuel in the tank for extended periods, I just don't like the idea of the water and methanol sitting there for a long period. I do use the fuel stabiliser in my bikes that I have stored and don't seem to be any issues.
One comment regarding water in the fuel, this does appear normally and gets delivered to the tank with the product. This then can sweat from the fuel as the car arms up and cools. I was always told to leave the tank full to reduce this to a minimum.

 

[craigy990]

My Vee is used more than most so a tank full of fuel is gone in three months or so so it is not there for ages

 

[Williams]

All good info Spike... :salut:

Let us know how you get on with using it please Craig?

 

[craigy990]

I certainly will I don't know for certain I have water in there put I wouldn't bet against it ! The car runs fine and I am unaware of any issues . If I do notice anything I will post that info to ! The other part I like is not only does it rid any water in tank but protects for 10000 miles (ish) so that's why I stated seems silly not to use it ! But I am 100% going to check for water build up in filler now !!!! Every time ! Oh I have cleaned inside now and got rid of the horrible brown gunk in there , and polished inside filler cap I have to much time available on a Sunday !!! Lol !