[Public-list] Ethanol Issues and Gas Cap Reminder

[J Bergquist]

Actually, for a vented tank, the water is absorbed by the ethanol in the gas
and as it gets absorbed the pressure of water vapor over the fuel goes down
and more water vapor can diffuse into the gas space above the fuel surface
through the vent.

Bottom line is that a vented tank is not a closed system, so there is no air
'trapped' in the system - the vent is open to the atmosphere.

So it may be possible for water to enter the system through the vent (as
water vapor) via diffusive gas exchange with the open atmosphere.

I have no idea whether or not this would allow sufficient water to be soaked
up by the ethanol in the gas to cause significant problems. Andrew, how full
was your tank last winter when you left it with the ethanol blended gas?

JB

On 9/11/06, Peter Amos <peteamos at tiscali.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Just a thought.If the tank is emptied,the fuel tap closed,the fill cap
> properly sealed and the vent sealed also,the only condensation will be
> from
> the air trapped in the system.This is what I do in Florida where Tait Tait
> is stored from May to November.When I get back I put a gallon of diesel in
> the tank and run the motor watching the fuel filter (glass bowl).If/when
> water shows I drain the filter.Works for me. I imagine the same would
> apply
> to a gasoline motor with a water seperator filter
> Pete
> Tait Tait 478
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cole, Andrew L" <andrew.cole at llff.com>
> To: <public-list at alberg30.org>
> Sent: Monday, September 11, 2006 1:56 PM
> Subject: [Public-list] Ethanol Issues and Gas Cap Reminder
>
>
> > We had to pump about 13 gallons of gas out of our tank this spring due
> > to water infiltration into the ethanol blend.  It came out with big grey
> > globules of what appeared to be the separated water.  What a mess.  I
> > will do anything within reason to avoid having to do that again.  I know
> > of another (non-Alberg) boat that had bad water infiltration issues over
> > the winter because of snow collecting on the decks and then seeping in
> > past the gas cap (which is probably what happened to ours as well).  His
> > turned out to be a missing O-Ring.  Don't forget to check any O-Rings
> > and liberally grease the threads of your gas cap before the winter, with
> > the new Ethanol blended gas, a little water in the tank is a much bigger
> > pain than it used to be.
> >
> > Our tank is mostly empty at the moment, which sounds like the
> > appropriate condition for the winter, is there any recommended storage
> > procedure other than using StaBil or some other particular fuel
> > stabilizer?
> >
> > Andrew
> > Andante - 152
> >
> >
> >>I don't think it affects polyethylene tanks; just polyester
> >>(fiberglass).  I don't think any Alberg 30's were made with fiberglass
> >>fuel tanks.
> >
> >>It will, however, absorb water from the air and can then separate from
> >>the gasoline.  I think the recommendations are to winter with the tank
> >>empty rather than topped off.
> >
> >>  - George
> >
> > Cole, Andrew L
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> >
> >
> > tel: 410 581-7408
> > fax: (410) 581-7410
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> >
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