REFLECTOR: Water Condensation in Wing Tanks & Sump

[John Dibble]

Dennis,

The reason you have condensed water on your fuel caps is because water
evaporated from the fuel.  The reason water evaporated from the fuel is
because water and fuel exhibit a minimum boiling azeotrope.  This
results in the minor component (in this case water) getting selectively
evaporated from the liquid mixture.  By mixture I mean both fuel,
saturated with water dissolved in it and fuel with a larger amount of
water present as a separate phase.  Fuel in the south US contains a lot
of aromatic hydrocarbons which can dissolve more water than the fuel
sold in the north.  A tank full of southern fuel can hold up to 2-3
ounces of water and you would never see it since it is dissolved in the
fuel.  But it will selectively evaporate out and condense.  I wouldn't
worry about it.

John

Dennis Martin wrote:

> I have not flown my V for a bout 2 weeks while I've been making some
> changes. I was going to do some T & Gs tomorrow, but noticed today
> that both fuel caps have big drops of water condensed on them when I
> inspected them. It's spooky to see that much water on my fuel caps. I
> tasted it, and it's definitely water.
>
> With half tanks, I'm sure that water is condensing on the entire top
> half of the tank surface. I've read about fuel tanks being susceptible
> to condensation, especially glass tanks. Has anyone had this
> experience, and do you have any suggestions other than filling the
> tanks to the brim to reduce condensation. I've read that this is one
> way to reduce it.  Otherwise, I assume you just drain your sumps
> carefully. I think it may also be a good idea to taxi for 10 minutes
> to shake the water loose from the tank top so it will work its way
> down to through the sump drain? Then, check your sump again before
> take off.
>
> All the best,
> Dennis Martin
> Chevy Powered 173 FGE
>
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