Log in

View Full Version : Water in gas tank


callisto224
Feb 2, 2010, 10:09 AM
My son filled up his 1994 Saturn last night with gas, he was almost empty. After less than 1 mile the car started running poorly. The car wouldn't go more than 20 mph so he pulled over and called me (the traffic was very heavy and the speed limit is 50 which means everyone drives at 60!) The car will idle fine but when you press on the gas pedal, it almost dies (and sometimes does). There is no power and it feels like it's not getting enough gas but running okay at idle. My neighbor and I towed the car home and put in 2 bottles of dry gas thinking that there was water in the gas. I let it idle for 15 minutes last night and then revved up the engine while in park. It was fixed, yea!! The engine ran fine, lots of power and lots of rpm's. To be sure it was okay, I drove it around the neighborhood this morning and went about 3/4 of a mile and the same thing started happening again. The car will idle (in gear or in park) but no power above that. I drove the rest of the way home at idle (about 5 mph). Luckily, I was driving in a big circle so I was only 1/4 mile from home. If I tried to drive faster the rpm's just kind of jump up and down and I couldn't even drive 10 mph. Does anyone have any ideas here? Did I put too much dry gas in (each can says it treats up to 20 gallons and I used 2 cans figuring it would work faster!). Did the bad gas clog the fuel filter? Not sure what to do next. Thanks for any and all help with this.

TxGreaseMonkey
Feb 2, 2010, 10:16 AM
. Replace fuel filter:

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Routine+Mainten ance&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=42-0&currentPage=1&filterByKeyWord=fuel+filter&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=14200540&categoryNValue=14299999&fromWhere=&itemId=540-0&displayName=Fuel+Filter&searchText=fuel+filter

. Replace the Ignition Control Module (ICM) and coil packs, if the problem continues:

AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection | Year (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Electrical+%26+ Lighting&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=57-0&currentPage=1&filterByKeyWord=ignition&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=15700029&categoryNValue=15799999&fromWhere=&itemId=29-0&displayName=Control+Module+-+Ignition&searchText=ignition)

AutoZone.com | Vehicle Selection | Year (http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsShelf.jsp?categoryDisplayName=Ignition+(Tune+ Up)&fromType=parts&fromString=search&parentId=62-0&currentPage=1&filterByKeyWord=ignition&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=16200027&categoryNValue=16299999&fromWhere=&itemId=27-0&displayName=Coil+-+Ignition&searchText=ignition)

Easy job. I recommend replacing these problematic components every 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first.

. Replace spark plugs (ACDelco only) with the exact ones that came in the car, if they have not been changed in 3 years.

callisto224
Feb 2, 2010, 02:55 PM
Thanks for your help.