Diesel Fuel Filtration

[Bill Jones]

I would like to add a filter to the diesel fuel tank in my barn now that I have a pump on it. In searching around I see a lot of filters that are water removing filters and a lot of filters that are particulate removing filters. My primary tractor has a water/sediment seperator and a down stream paper filter on it. I also occasionally fill up other pieces of borrwoed equipment and I am not sure what kind of filtration they have.

My question is, for the filter at the pump, which is more important, a particulate filter or a water filter? Or does somebody make a filter that does both jobs and I havent found it yet?

Thanks,

Bill

 

[vrmnthntr]

I use a Cim-tek water absorbing filter kit from tractor supply. It says its also a particulate filter that holds dirt and rust. It is on their website. I have been using it for 1 year without problems.

 

[RichardM]

The most important rule for fuel is "keep it clean and keep it dry" Filters are rated by "micron" (a micron is a millionth of a meter) size. For example an oil filter is 20-30 microns and a fuel filter is 1-3 microns. The same filter will filter particulates as well as water if it is fine enough. Use a 1-3 micron filter for your fuel storage tank and you won't have any problems. A marine fuel filter/water separator, or any of the filters for fuel sold by major suppliers for fuel should work well. The only drawback is that the finer the filter, the slower the flow. However, if you want clean fuel, use the finer filter.

 

[aczlan]

The only drawback is that the finer the filter, the slower the flow. However, if you want clean fuel, use the finer filter.

Switching to an oversize filter (which provides more filtering area) will help with this problem.

Aaron Z

 

[RickB]

The most important rule for fuel is "keep it clean and keep it dry" Filters are rated by "micron" (a micron is a millionth of a meter) size. For example an oil filter is 20-30 microns and a fuel filter is 1-3 microns. The same filter will filter particulates as well as water if it is fine enough. Use a 1-3 micron filter for your fuel storage tank and you won't have any problems. A marine fuel filter/water separator, or any of the filters for fuel sold by major suppliers for fuel should work well. The only drawback is that the finer the filter, the slower the flow. However, if you want clean fuel, use the finer filter.

You won't find many machines that filter fuel to 3 microns unless they are high pressure common rail injection systems. 10 microns is a good safe filter size for a storage tank.

 

[25002500]

I run two filters in tandem. Cimtek ten micron particulate with hydrosorb (#70062) and two micron particulate (#70819). First one removes the big stuff and the water, second one removes the little stuff. Can buy them at John M. Ellsworth (jmesales.com). Will cost about $10-20 a year depending on volume of fuel filtered plus a couple of dollars for filter bases. Never had a problem with diesel fuel using these filters. Some may say its overkill. I say when I turn the key I want it to RUN and not waste my time and money screwing around with fuel supply problems. Clean fuel = happy seat time.