Originally Posted by
049flyer
Many years ago I read a magazine article about a study performed, concerning the affect of water in glow fuel. The person conducting the test added water to fuel in small measured amounts to determine the point at which engine performance was degraded and the amount of degradation to be expected with increasing concentrations.
The bottom line is that the water had very little affect until it reached very high concentrations, much higher than we would ever see.
I wish I could find the article. Probably in RCM.
I believe he tested a control line engine, which does not need to idle. However IMO most of the time people blame water it is actually evaporation of methanol that is the problem, that increases the percentage of oil and nitro, both can cause problems. When it is warm outside the methanol will raise the pressure of the jug above atmospheric and will excape when opened. When left open it will evaporate out and decrease the chance of water contamination. Only when it is cold outside or a gust of wind would allow water to get in the fuel.