Honda Civic / Del Sol (1992 - 2000) EG/EH/EJ/EK/EM1 Discussion

Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:05 AM
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Default Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

just bought a mint 93 eg ex of this hippy girl for 300. Ex boyfriend dumped clorox in her gas tank.

starts with starting fluild.

best way to fix this problem? lmk thx guys
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:09 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank

Replace fuel system. Engine might be suspect too.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:12 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank

fuel system... as in injec, fuel rails, fuel lines, drain tank and replace pump?
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:20 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank

People are evil. I've never heard of anyone doing this before.

Would have been best if it hadn't been started.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5687159_ef...-gas-tank.html
Chemical Reaction
If bleach is poured into a gas tank, presumably with gas in it, the bleach itself will not harm the car. However, the chemical reaction between the chlorine in the bleach and the gasoline in the tank will definitely create havoc with your vehicle's fuel system and motor. The chlorine will react with the organic compounds from which gasoline is formed (remember, gas is refined oil and oil is an organic compound), creating an abnormal amount of rapid oxidation (rust). This reaction would, in effect, break down the metal in the gas tank dozens of years faster than normal. In fact, the adverse affects would become painfully obvious within two to four days.

Effects
If this reaction takes place and the car is not driven, repairing the damage may only involve the replacement of the damaged fuel tank and flushing the fuel system. However, if the car is driven, a mixture of bleach and fuel will be distributed throughout the fuel system, corroding all metal, rubber and plastic it comes into contact with. In addition, a high volume of rust sediment will be forced through the fuel injectors and into the engine. In the best cases, the fuel injectors will clog and no gas will get through to the engine. In the worst cases, some bleach-filled gasoline will enter the engine and affect enough of the engine to seize up the engine block, rendering it useless.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:26 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank

Well the engine seems to be fine... its runes fine with stater fuild into intake so really they engine seems to be fine
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:30 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank

Get the fuel system flushed and see if that helps. If not, I'd start by replacing the main parts of the system, although the whole system needs to work as a whole to prevent any problems from occurring again in the future.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 11:11 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

From the quote NOFX posted, it looks like you should really replace the fuel tank before any rust jacks up your fuel system/motor.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 11:16 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

The question is how long was it sitting? The info says oxidation starts in as little as 2-4 days.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Might be worth removing the fuel pump and inspecting. I'd definitely drain the tank.

I'm not sure how bad this could be in the real world or how these cars in particular might react.

I'd have drained it first and not ran it until there's fresh gas at least.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 01:19 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

About 1 month its been sitting, I im starting with flushing the tank,fuel rail,fueline,Tank, New gas filter
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 04:29 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Damn, it sounds like the ex bf did his homework on what to dump into the tank. I would never have thought bleach would **** a car up like that.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 04:52 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Flushing the tank isn't going to get the rust out of it. That tank is probably toast.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 05:28 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Originally Posted by Ryd2TheMax
Damn, it sounds like the ex bf did his homework on what to dump into the tank. I would never have thought bleach would **** a car up like that.
hmmm.... around me, its widely known as the sh***y thing to do to people.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 05:36 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

I'm a fan of letting the air out of their tires, then crimping the valve stems. At least that doesn't run the risk of grenading a damn motor.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 06:49 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

I'm surprised it runs. Household bleach is a 3% solution of sodium hypochlorite NaClO4 in water.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:50 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Don't forget that the fuel you drain is a powerful explosive ... ie., worse that just fuel on its own. More like a liquid bomb. Think about that next time you start it! Best do your work outside, and NOT under an awning.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 10:54 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

I'm a fan of not sinking to the level of vandalizing a vehicle.
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Old Jan 14, 2012 | 11:05 PM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Sounds like it's probably a good thing they're split up. Sounds like the vengeful type.

OP: FYI 5G Civics have a drain plug on the fuel tank to empty it.
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 08:23 AM
  #19  
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

It wouldn't be a bad idea to replace or seal the gas tank. They make a liquid sealant you can pour in and coat the inside. It would be cheaper than buying a new tank.

I read a little on the bleach/gasoline mix. It could create a peroxide. These are unstable compounds that can spontaneously catch fire or explode. One common peroxide is acetone peroxide, which is commonly referred to as "mother of satan". It's so unstable when wet that it can explode from crumbling under it's own weight as it dries. These aren't compounds to mess with.
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 08:47 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Originally Posted by deschlong
Sounds like it's probably a good thing they're split up. Sounds like the vengeful type.

OP: FYI 5G Civics have a drain plug on the fuel tank to empty it.
not for nothing....5G civics are very well thought out....
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 11:19 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

In my experience, some 6th gens have the drain plug and some don't. We had a '97 CX without it and a '98 EX coupe with it. 1998 marked a lot of changes though.
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 11:22 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Originally Posted by NOFX
In my experience, some 6th gens have the drain plug and some don't. We had a '97 CX without it and a '98 EX coupe with it. 1998 marked a lot of changes though.
Stock tank? I replaced the tank on mom's '96 CX with original OEM tank and it had it.
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Old Jan 15, 2012 | 11:41 AM
  #23  
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Originally Posted by 94EG8
Stock tank? I replaced the tank on mom's '96 CX with original OEM tank and it had it.
Yes. I could have gotten the tanks mixed up, but one had no drain.
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Old Jan 16, 2012 | 06:16 AM
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Default Re: Clorox In gas tank - starts with starting fluild

Originally Posted by NOFX
In my experience, some 6th gens have the drain plug and some don't. We had a '97 CX without it and a '98 EX coupe with it. 1998 marked a lot of changes though.
that's odd. every gas tank i've looked at has had one. my 99 does.
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