<VV> Non-Corvair Specific: Gas freezing?

[Frank DuVal]

You are correct  that that is the common wisdom for years now.

I just add alcohol (Heet, Dry Gas, etc) to the tank and drive on.

Of course now that we run 10% ethanol, maybe I don't nee the methyl or 
what ever added....

If gasoline actually freezes, dress very warm!

Diesel, now that will gel at surprisingly high temperatures. I found 
that diesel without additives would start to gel at about 16 °F when I 
was driving at 55 (ha!) mph. All the trucks beside me were also blowing 
white smoke, so we were all in the same boat. Twice I had to get off the 
interstate and add a gallon of unleaded to the tank to continue driving 
at speed when a cold snap surprised me. Not a recommended additive, but 
it worked!

One should run some anti gel in diesel if the temp is regularly below 20 
°F or so. Maybe diesel sold up north already has something in it.

Frank DuVal


On 12/23/2013 11:14 PM, J. R. Read wrote:
> I believe the issue is not gas freezing but is moisture in the tank
> condensing and getting to a low point in the fuel line where it (the water
> which is heavier than gas) can turn to ice and block the fuel line.  The
> idea behind keeping the tank full of gas would be to leave less space in the
> tank for moisture (water) to accumulate.  I don't have a clue if this is or
> was correct, but it would seem to me that most (all probably) tanks are now
> non-vented  on modern cars and the issue would no longer exist regardless
> off how full (or empty) the tank might be at the moment.
>
> This post will likely upset Smitty since it is not based on actual
> experience.
>
> Later, JR
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <ricebugg at comcast.net>
> To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 23, 2013 9:22 PM
> Subject: <VV> Non-Corvair Specific: Gas freezing?
>
>
>> All:  My wife ask if we should fill up the tank on her RAV tonight.  We
>> then had a conversation about keeping at least half a tank of gas in the
>> car during cold weather like we are having now in Central Illinois.  She
>> thought it was to keep the gas from freezing.  I told her it was to give
>> you heat if you get in trouble, assuming the motor is still running.  I
>> realize condensation inside the tank can freeze in a fuel line, but that
>> it is rare.  Never had it happen in 40 plus years of driving up here.
>>
>> I assume one of you chemist types will know the answer here.  The question
>> is, just out of curiousity, what is the freezing temp of gasoline?  I
>> assume it will freeze at some temp, but so far down the scale everything
>> else in the car has become non-functioning.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Historically Yours,
>>                     James Rice