Help me with stored fuel problems

[trook]

I keep diesel stored in a 100 gal tank and have a few questions.

1. The siphon tube that extends down into the t has a rust-like coating on it. Is this normal? The Fill-Rite
hand pump is about 2 years old.

2. The screen that is placed at the top of the siphon tube just below the pump keeps getting clogged with a tar like
black material. If not cleaned every 25 gallons or so, this material becomes hard as concrete and has to be scraped
off with a wire brush in order for the pump to siphon the fuel correctly. Does diesel naturally "gum up" and do this?
Is there any way to prevent it?

I fill this 100 gal tank about twice a year from a reputable dealer. Thanks guys...

 

[leonz]

I keep diesel stored in a 100 gal tank and have a few questions.

1. The siphon tube that extends down into the t has a rust-like coating on it. Is this normal? The Fill-Rite
hand pump is about 2 years old.

2. The screen that is placed at the top of the siphon tube just below the pump keeps getting clogged with a tar like
black material. If not cleaned every 25 gallons or so, this material becomes hard as concrete and has to be scraped
off with a wire brush in order for the pump to siphon the fuel correctly. Does diesel naturally "gum up" and do this?
Is there any way to prevent it?

I fill this 100 gal tank about twice a year from a reputable dealer. Thanks guys...

You have rust, bacteria and water in the tank.


The issue is more of what you can afford to eliminate
the problem before you pump it into your mule.

You Can handle this several ways, The least expensive being the "Racor Fuel funnel"
with 20 micron fitration for about forty dollars with shipping from maesco.com - Mid-Atlantic Engine Supply Corp.

I would rather see you buy the fuel in smaller quantites in the future as diesel fuel is a
magnet for bacteria and that is costly for a fuel system.

I would also rather see you install a RACOR diesel fuel filtration system on your mule
before the primary fuel filter on your mule as it can filter down to 2 micron with
the right cartridge and last for thousands of gallons in use over time.
most folks use the 20 micron cartridge but with crappy fuel it will stop your
mule dead from the filter expanding from the water.

If you purchase the Racor fuel funnel you will be ahead of the game
as it will eliminate the water and dirt and you can use it for gasoline too.


I use sea foam and a lot of the folks use the diesel heet? I think for
killing the bacteria in the fuel.

 

[newbury]

You need to empty the tank and clean it to get all the bacteria, algae, and water out. Then when you refill it put in something for a biocide and water remover.

In this thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...7-impossible-homeowner-keep-moisture-out.html we discussed the long term storage of diesel and very few people have problems.

 

[lutt]

I keep diesel stored in a 100 gal tank and have a few questions.

1. The siphon tube that extends down into the t has a rust-like coating on it. Is this normal? The Fill-Rite
hand pump is about 2 years old.

2. The screen that is placed at the top of the siphon tube just below the pump keeps getting clogged with a tar like
black material. If not cleaned every 25 gallons or so, this material becomes hard as concrete and has to be scraped
off with a wire brush in order for the pump to siphon the fuel correctly. Does diesel naturally "gum up" and do this?
Is there any way to prevent it?

I fill this 100 gal tank about twice a year from a reputable dealer. Thanks guys...

Your dealer should sell a additive such as power systems for this. There are others, I just cant think of them right now,we have this problem where I work where we deal with 150000-200000 gallons a month and also on the farm. Water in fuel tanks is not preventable if you store fuel in them,condensation prevails,especially when there are abrubt temp changes or high humidity such as the deep south. Do you have a way of draining the water off your tank. We drain our fuel tanks daily. The power systems will take care of the bacteria. Keeping the water drained will take care of the rust. LUTT

 

[oliver28472]

Is your storage tank outside, exposed to sunlight? I buy around 30 gallons at a time and keep mine in an open barn, out of sunlight. I've never had any trouble and don't use any additive. Slime is a problem for many though and you will need to clean out that tank.

 

[sparc]

How the Racor Fuel Funnel works:

Racor Fuel Filter Funnel

 

[Brimfield]

Power service makes an additive called bio kleen that kills bacteria and fungus. they also sell clear diesel that cleans out tanks. I use power service all the time in my duramax, it prevents Gelling in winter adds ctane boost extra lube for injectors ect.