Oil and gas engines need alcohol based additives such as dry gas to prevent water buildup in the gas tank. Adding alcohol helps solve combustion issues and can come in handy during the cold winter months. Dry gas has a low freezing point since it is based on isopropyl alcohol or methanol, making it a popular antifreeze in winter and an antidote for water contaminated gas.
Why Dry Gas Is Important
Other times, water and air will combine forces to target the inner lining of the gas tank. Oxidation occurs and metal begins to rust and disintegrate. Once the metal crumbles, it will begin its damaging journey down the fuel injection system. Rust triggers a domino effect that can easily ruin modern fuel pumps. These pumps are more delicate when compared to older lower pressure pumps that were once installed in cars of a different era. Fine rust particles act like miniature abrasive nails that scratch at the inner surface of the high pressure pump. Over time, this rusted metal will eventually corrode the pump and damage it beyond repair. The minisicule size of these rust particles makes them hard to filter out by the fuel filter which was designed to screen out dirt and debris.
How It Works
Technology has come a long way when it comes to cars with the introduction of fuel injection in the 1980s and the rise of full hybrid and autonomous vehicles like the Prius and the Tesla. Nowadays, modern fuel tanks are built to keep moisture out, but condensation remains a problem that fuel additives were created to solve. Many drivers keep a bottle of dry gas in their garage for a rainy day, especially if they have an old car in their collection. Using fuel additives in older models can help reduce carbon buildup and provide even burn in the combustion.
There are many brands of fuel additives available on the market today, and some of them are used as a preventive measure against excess moisture that can cause major irreversible damage to vehicles and their engines. Dry gas remains the additive of choice due to its chemical composition.
How to Use Dry Gas
Isopropyl alcohol belongs to a group of chemicals that are hygroscopic, meaning that they attract water through absorption. Drivers who need to eliminate moisture from their fuel tanks can easily pour a bottle of dry gas into the tank the next time they drive up to a gas station. What this product does is it absorbs the water located at the base and prevents it from making its way over to the fuel system where it can freeze once the temperature drops to 32°F. Using alcohol based additives helps you battle condensation and humidity no matter the weather conditions. This can come in handy in the absence of ethanol free gas stations in your city or neighborhood.
Symptoms of Water in the Gas Tank
- Poor Acceleration
If you are having a hard time speeding down the road and nothing seems to be wrong with the gas paddle, then chances are water is being pumped into the engine instead of fuel. Poor acceleration can be dangerous, especially while driving on a highway.
- Bad Mileage
- Engine Stalling
Water can get in the way of fuel combustion, and this largely impacts the engine. Large amounts of water in the fuel system can cause the engine to stall and this can happen at any time. Excess moisture can also trigger what is known as hydrostatic lock. This happens when water seeps into the cylinder above the piston and prevents the engine from starting.
Originally posted 2023-10-07 09:48:13.