What Are the Causes of Pressure Build-Up in Gas Tanks on Cars?
by Skip Shelton
A car's gas tank will build pressure under normal operating conditions. High pressure in a car's gas tank may cause dangerous conditions. High gas tank pressures in a car may cause gas tank bulging, fuel line leaks, fuel pump problems, lack of fuel to the engine for combustion, dangerous conditions when opening the gas tank filler cap and potentially create fire hazards.
Gasoline Vaporizes During Movement
Vehicle gasoline is not a singular substance. It contains a mixture of over 500 hyrdocarbons. Because of the volatile nature of many of the compounds, the movement of the car allows gasoline to vaporize in the gas tank. Vaporized fuel builds pressure in the tank.
Vapor Pressure Builds From Heat
The gasses released from liquid gasoline in a sealed container (the gas tank) are directly affected by the temperature of the gasoline; the higher the temperature is, the more pressure builds in the container. Reducing the temperature of the gasoline and car's gas tank has the opposite affect. Vaporized molecules will condense and pressure will reduce.
Failed EVAP Systems Build Pressure
Normal pressure in a fuel tank is kept stable through the evaporative emission control system (EVAP) system. High pressure can occur if any part of the EVAP system fails, becomes clogged or is restricted. The most common points of failure are a kinked fuel vapor line, a clogged EVAP canister or a failure in the purge control or vent solenoid. Failure to allow vapor pressure to move appropriately through the EVAP system raises the overall car gas tank pressure.
Evaporation of Gasoline Creates Vapor Pressure
Evaporated gasoline is contained in the air above the stored fuel in the car gas tank. Because vapors create more pressure than liquid gasoline, pressure builds as the gas tank becomes less full.
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Writer Bio
Skip Shelton has been writing since 2001, having authored and co-authored numerous articles for "Disclose Journal." He holds a Bachelor in Science in education and a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in management from Northwest Nazarene University. Shelton also operates a small automotive maintenance and part-replacement shop.
