03 Mar 2004, 23:38, mark lewis (1:3634/12), wrote to all:

Hi mark.

 ml> is there something that can be added to gas to remove or convert 
 ml> water to something that won't drown out an engine? i seem to 
 ml> recall something somewhere that would affect any water and 
 ml> chemically combine with it to make something that would either 
 ml> burn with the gas or at least flow out without drowning the 
 ml> engine...

Methanol is the only non-commercial thing I've heard of.  The alcohol has
smaller molecules than the water, and squeezes in BETWEEN the water
molecules.  I have seen some commercial products at Auto stores, but
without any listing of ingredients I wouldn't touch the stuff at the prices
they want.

 ml> the problem is a 5gal black plastic tank on a generator that 
 ml> appears to condensate quite a bit and i'm about tired of having 
 ml> to drain the tank and disassemble some of the gas flow stuff to 
 ml> flush out all the water just to get the damned thing running...

Wherever there is gas with an air space above, it will try to evaporate. 
The evaporation causes the gas to cool just enough to condense the humidity
in the air space above it, and that cooling lowers the air pressure, and
sucks in more humid air through the ventilator system.  

The real cure is the same as we use for our boats.  Keep the tank
completely topped off at all times.  No air space means no condensation,
end of problem.

There are many times though with the boats that we are out overnight, and
there simply isn't any gas available to top off the tanks.  Over the course
of a summer water does get in.  I get everyone to one side to tilt the
boat, and use a 20' long piece of 3/16" clear vinyl tubing, aim it
towards the low corner of the fuel tank and suck carefully.  Stop when the
liquid is about a foot from the end you're sucking, remove the hose, drain
it, repeat as necessary.  That 20' length holds about three tablespoons of
water/gas whatever.  1/8" tubing is too flimsy to aim properly, while
1/4" or larger will allow the water 'bubbles' to slip back down the
tube while you are still sucking.

With your generator, at times I know you will be shutting down without
being able to top off the tank.  If the generator is not bolted down, slip
a piece of 2x4 under the legs on one side to tilt the tank a little.  When
condensation DOES form, it will run to the corner of the tank rather than
going down into the fuel lines.


     Good luck...  M.

--- Msged/386 TE 06 (pre)