Water in the fuel filter?!

BV · Post by BV » Tue Aug 06, 2002 5:47 pm

How could water have gotten in my online fuel filter?

Last Friday evening (a very warm evening) I took my girlfriend (my wife) to a nearby tourist town along Lake Erie (about 20 miles from our home). My Karmann Ghia ran just fine on the way there. After about an hour of walking on the beach and the streets, we headed home. About 3 miles into our homeward journey, suddenly the car started to cough terribly, act very spasticly, and lose power. A quick check of the engine under a street light did not show anything wrong. We managed to cripple home. On Saturday I checked all kinds of things and finally discovered the problem: There was water in my fuel filter! When I emptied the contents into a container, there was definitely two different kinds of liquids, and one was water. I then drew some more gas from the fuel line into a little container to examine it and was relieved to find free of water. So after blowing out all the contents of the fuel filter, I reconnected it. I started up the engine and after a few seconds of rough running, it returned to its perfect running again.

Phew! I’m relieved it was not super serious and didn’t not cost me anything. But I’m still baffled how water got into the fuel filter. This is my 4th VW (air cooled) and I’ve had this one for 12 years, and have never had this before.

The fuel filter sits horizontally just before the fuel pump. Actually, I’ve only had an inline fuel filter since December.

Thanks for your help. BV

------------------
'70 KG Convertible

Fig · Post by **Fig** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 6:22 pm

How could water have gotten in my online fuel filter?

Uhh... from your fuel tank.

Possibly from condensation in the fuel tank.

Post by **Marc** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 6:48 pm

Or you got a load of shitty gas somewhere, and the water in it settled to the bottom of the tank and stratified while you strolled the beach. Adding an alcohol-based emulsifier like "Heet" will gradually purge it from your tank if you don't feel like pulling it and draining/rinsing it.

Bobby74 · Post by **Bobby74** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 7:15 pm

This use to be very common with Texaco gas (hey this was like 10 years ago I don't go there now!!). Basically they get crap gas, so they water it down even more so they can make "more gas" so they can sell more of it to get their money back.. for about 80% of the "new" cars it works but for high compression (such as our stock motors) it will hydro lock the motor (can't compress a liquid unless its explosive and there is a little air in with it) and cause all kinds of weird things. Best case is to drain the tank and get gas from a good station, buy "plus" or somthing with 89 octane.. I think it would be like 82Ron?? basically mid grade gas to clean things up. replace the filter next to the tank (some people put these in there, check on yours). This will let all the trapped water/crud get changed out.

bljones · Post by **bljones** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 7:29 pm

Bart,
The weather last week is the reason behind the problem. The high humidity coupled with the big difference (10 + degrees) between the shore and home will see big time condensation. i assume you drove down to dover during the day, and drove back after dark, and gave the car very little warm-up time before hitting the road for the return trip. If the symptoms persist, then you may have a bigger problem, but i wouldn't lose sleep over this one.
Brian

Troke · Post by **Troke** » Tue Aug 06, 2002 7:35 pm

"...Basically they get crap gas, so they water it down even more so they can make "more gas" so they can sell more of it to get their money back..."

Surely, you jest.

BV · Post by BV » Wed Aug 07, 2002 5:46 am

Thanks for all your help. This forum sure makes this VW hobby more pleasant. BV

------------------
'70 KG Convertible

Bias · Post by **Bias** » Wed Aug 07, 2002 5:58 am

Yeah stay away from those crappy old gas stations...especially the ones that have those towel wearing people in them. they tend to water the gas down with their frickin' slurpies!