Smart People Do Stupid Things Sometimes

[drz]

Last time I filled up with gas I decided to get a carwash as well (You know how convenient they make it right at the pump, plus $1.00 discount). Please save yourself the trouble of telling me how bad carwashes are for my paint, water to the ECU, etc. I drive a 1996 BMW 328i. The car is old enough that I don't care if I slowly destroy the paint going through the carwash. I'll take my chances on everything else.

Anyway, after I went through the carwash, I noticed that the little dor to the gas tank/gas cap area was open -- I forgot to close it after refueling ghead I got off thecar and walked into the carwash area to find the gas cap (I had left it on the holding bracked inside the gas tank door, and it had obviously been thrown off by the water). I found it, made sure to dry the region right outside the tank, and put the cap on.

I will make sure to keep my tank as close to full as possible for a good while just in case some stuff was able to make it into the tank. The more gas I put in there, the thinner the "solution" becomes.

I prayed for the vehicle right after all this happened, and hope it is in God's plan that my car does not die. I am not going to have it checked out.

The weird thing is that the "Check Engine" indicator did not illuminate. I understand usually it does if one turns on the ignition while the gas cap is removed. Weird.

[morph]

It took about 2 miles of driving for my light to come on when i didn't secure the gas cap properly.

[Ljk619]

The light won't come on immediately, the car has to sit for a little bit or be driven a little bit. As far as the water goes, if any did get in there it'll be sitting at the bottom of your tank (water is heavier than gas) and your pump sucks gas from the bottom of the tank so if enough got in there you might have a little bit of a problem starting up after your cars been sitting for a few minutes, if not then nothing to worry about

[Gator]

Buy a bottle of Dry Gas and pour it into the tank. If any water got in, the dry gas will cause it to mix with the gas and not cause you a problem. It's used all the time up north to deal with condensation.

[drz]

Originally posted by Gator@Jun 2 2005, 08:57 PM
Buy a bottle of Dry Gas and pour it into the tank. If any water got in, the dry gas will cause it to mix with the gas and not cause you a problem. It's used all the time up north to deal with condensation.

[snapback]349670[/snapback]

I haven't had any problems, so I guess I am doing fine. What is dry gas?

[Gator]

Originally posted by drz328i+Jun 3 2005, 02:53 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(drz328i @ Jun 3 2005, 02:53 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Gator@Jun 2 2005, 08:57 PM
Buy a bottle of Dry Gas and pour it into the tank. If any water got in, the dry gas will cause it to mix with the gas and not cause you a problem. It's used all the time up north to deal with condensation.

[snapback]349670[/snapback]

I haven't had any problems, so I guess I am doing fine. What is dry gas?

[snapback]350182[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]
"Dry Gas" is a clear liquid ( I think it has alcohol in it) that causes any water in the tank to mix effectively with gas in such a way that the water gas mixture burns in the cylinders of a car with no ill effects It's used a lot in the north where condesation in gas tanks can be a problem. Don't know for sure but I think it should be available in the south.