Most people never think of this. In N. America this last Winter has brought out a ton of weather extremes that aggravate the problem.

Water gets in your fuel by condensation in the air in your fuel tank. Tanks are made to hold a bit of water below where it gets picked up but after a few or more years it can get in the lines. Problems show up with extreme cold weather mostly but if bad enough can confuse diagnosing problems in warmer climate also.

I suggest use of a Water remover a couple times a year or so. I am not a fan of all kinds of additives but this is a real trouble spot if ignored. If your car is running fine and a bit older, put some in (I like to use 1/2 of what the bottle says twice) now and then and have NEVER had a frozen gas line in any vehicle I've ever owned! Make sure the product is labeled for removing water not just gas line anti-freeze. Good Luck and Happy Motoring.
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston

Tom I agree, using a water remover will really help out in the colder months if someone forgets to refill their gas. Some times in very cold climates the water could causes you a lot of trouble so the $2 dollar investment in the water remover could very well payoff.

I live in an area where I have never had to face this problem. But this information is so useful for people who live in cold areas. I had never imagined such things could happen to engines.

Egad! That thread is over four years old already!

None the less - any vehicle that get dew on it's windows gets dew inside gas tank too which makes droplets that when UNDER the fuel stay there until something removes it. Many fuels now sold contain alcohols that will allow moisture to suspend and be be caught in the fuel filter or move on thru slow enough as to not be an issue.

Gas tanks will hold some water at bottom of tank without harm for a while.

The best defence is use of Isopropyl formula moisture remover now and then (not too much) and frequent replacement of fuel filters,

T
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Tom Greenleaf - MetroWest, Boston