Thanks to all who responded on this issue.
I am now _fairly_ certain that I know how the water got into the tank in
this
instance - a half empty jerry can of fuel which had been standing for
some time.
This was really, the only obvious variation to a procedure which I have
followed
for over 10 years. Normally, I always use fresh fuel and I rarely leave
the cans half
full.
Dave Simpson wrote:
> 1. Condensation in a (normally) metal container. If the container is
not
> airtight, and few are, and it is left partially full, then diurnal
> temperature changes make the airspace above the fuel breath. Cooling
draws
> in air, warming expands it out. The temperature of the fuel is often
lower
> than the air temperature. If the fuel is below dew point, then
moisture
> from the air will condense on the surface of the fuel and sink to the
> bottom. Continuous cycling simply builds up the water lying on the
bottom
> of the container. The effect is exacerbated by the metal walls of a
> container whose temperature drop also lags behind air temperature. A
> filter will not remove this water. A chamois leather is said to do so
but
> the best solution is to keep it out in the first place. Keep
containers
> (including the aircraft's fuel tank), full, particularly if the fuel
is
> being kept for more than a few days, and particularly in cold moist
> weather.
Graham Singleton wrote:
> I can only guess but I would think the most likely source of the water
is
> the jerry cans.
Alan
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