water in fuel problem, need educating

[dontKnowMuch]

Bought a used JD 4310 last summer. Now that its getting cold ive run into a problem. First time it stopped running i eventually realized it had water in the diesel. This happened after i left it out in the rain and the drain was clogged, so i think water got through the cap into the tank as it was under water for days apparently. I drained SOME diesel out, but not the full tank (mistake?), and i changed the fuel filter. Got it running and added some diesel dry to the tank. Also kept the tractor out of the rain . A month later and i am surprised to have the tractor stalling again, and it looks like more water in the fuel as the fuel separator is indicating.

Im a newb so forgive my stupidity. Now i realize that condensation can form and its more likely to form when its getting warm//cold by the tank. Im guessing the best way to guard against that is to keep the tank full, as well as my diesel fuel container full too is that correct?

Is it odd that it had water in it again so soon after my first "cure" or did i do something wrong? im assuming just changing the fuel and the fuel filter should be the cure, but am open to learning. Looking on tips to help me take better care of this baby as ive already fallen in love with her, i just dont know how to take care of her properly yet

 

[LouNY]

Does your fuel filter housing have a drain on it?
If so drain it off frequently.
Some fuel tanks will also have a drain, the water will separate from fuel if undisturbed and will settle in the lowest point waiting to be drained.

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

My advice, which I hope you will follow, is to completely drain all of the diesel from your tank. Then, using a long 'grabber', attach CHUX (J-Cloth) to the end and wipe as much residue from the tank as you can. I'd also change fuel filters again. Put every thing back together and fill the tank with fresh diesel and add in a dose of diesel biocide as an insurance policy.

Does the fuel bowl (the 'clear' bowl with the red float and the water-drain cock) have a green-ish tinge to it?

Yes, keep the tank full to guard against condensation... you don't say where in the world you live so I can only guess at the amount of humidity or temperature fluctuation you have to deal with.

Enjoy the site.

 

[Looking4new]

Wagtail makes a lot of sense and it was what I was gonna say. You can save the wasted fuel for starting your burn pile, if the law allows it.

 

[oosik]

You know - over the years I've been on TBN - I'm beginning to believe that there is a WIDE variation in the quality of diesel fuel available to the customer across this country. Some folks, in certain areas, have NEVER ENDING problems with water and biological growth in their fuel. I would wager that a lot of this comes to them in the fresh fuel they just got today at their local service station. There is also the matter of storage & handling after initial purchase. Keeping your stored fuel clean, dry and growth free - - same with what is in your tractor.

I'm just the type that can be a real pain in the a*s to local service stations. Twice a year - fall & spring - when I normally go in to my local Chevron station to fill my Jerry cans - I will take along a big 'ol clear one gallon jug. I will fill two of my five gallon Jerry cans and then pump a gallon into the glass jug. Let it sit while I fill the remaining two or three Jerry cans. This all takes place on the tailgate of my pickup - in plain view of the station operator.

When all the Jerry cans are filled and my hands wiped clean - I lift up the gallon jug and see what is there to see. I have NEVER seen any crud, corrosion or tiny water droplets. I better NEVER see any of that either. The station operator is well aware of what I'm doing and is quite proud of my semi-annual results. My diesel fuel has ALWAYS been as dry as a popcorn fart in the middle of the Atacama Desert. I also use Power Service, white jug, in all my diesel fuel.

And further - this summer, after nine years, I changed the fuel filter on my 2009 M6040. It was as clean as the brand new one I put back on. There was absolutely no crud or dirt in the gasoline I washed the old one out in. I simply could not believe that there was NOTHING in the old filter - so I washed it in gas and got nothing. I wasted $19 changing out that fuel filter.

 

[ruffdog]

"so i think water got through the cap into the tank as it was under water for days"

As the outside temperature changes, the tank will either expel air or want to suck it in. If water pools around the cap that allows air leakage, then the water gets sucked in. Think of it...the tank is warm, then it rains that will then cool the tank, the cooling tank then sucks the water in that is around the fill cap.

 

[jbrumberg]

I agree with the previous posts/posters.

I buy my diesel fuel from high volume stations. If heavy equipment operators and school buses are purchasing fuel the odds are good that the station is providing decent quality fuel.

There are also products available that can remove existing water in your fuel; Howes and PowerService are two popular brands whose additive products can increase cetane, remove water, remove crud/algae, etc. In addition there are fuel/water separating funnels that effectively remove existing water from the jerry can's diesel fuel. I have a "Mr. Funnel" and use it with every fuel up; it works as advertised.

 

[ruffdog]

"remove water, remove crud/algae, etc"

Additives don't "remove" those items. Additives may break those items down or attach themselves to the items so the engine can burn it.

 

[jbrumberg]

ruffdog- thank you for the clarification. The Howes and PowerService websites are quite informative as to how their products work and how to use their products.

 

[ruffdog]

ruffdog- thank you for the clarification. The Howes and PowerService websites are quite informative as to how their products work and how to use their products.

If fuel is severely contaminated, it might be a better option for users to dispose of the fuel instead of running it through the engine.:2cents: