Oil & Fuel Rust clogging fuel filter

[1acre]

It looks like very fine rust particles are clogging my fuel filter. I have cleaned it once, but it clogged again in 1 hour of running. Will it damage anything if I continue to do this? Will the super fine rust that makes it past the filter hurt anything? Should I stop using my tractor until I get the tank rust free? This is a diesel Mahindra 2615 by the way.

 

[Peter 315]

Clean the tank and save yourself some trouble and money.....

 

[Roadworthy]

You can clean the tank to remove the loose rust. That won't necessarily prevent it from happening again, just slow the progress. If you can remove the tank there are coatings you can apply to seal the metal. If you use them just be sure you don't seal any output fittings or petcocks. Fittings should be removed before application of the coat.

 

[jaxs]

Stop using the tractor or install a pressure guage until the problem is solved. Rust can't get past filter but when filter clog's,injector pump starve's for lubercation. Some but not all injectors also suffer when starved. A dash mount pressure guage tell's you before flow drop's below critical point.
Now,I have questions. What happened when filter stoppd up? How did you clean the filter (more accurately,what did you do thinking you were cleaning the filter)?

 

[Jerry/MT]

It looks like very fine rust particles are clogging my fuel filter. I have cleaned it once, but it clogged again in 1 hour of running. Will it damage anything if I continue to do this? Will the super fine rust that makes it past the filter hurt anything? Should I stop using my tractor until I get the tank rust free? This is a diesel Mahindra 2615 by the way.

You don't clean a fuel filter, you replace it!

Does your tractor have a metal tank? Most of the new ones are plastic. If it is metal it's rusting from water in the fuel. Condensation causes the water to get in so until you deal with that water will be a recurring problem. Do you have a water separator in the fuel delivery system or just the filter.? If you have just a filter is there a drain at the bottom of the filter canister? If so, get a clear container and drain a cup of fluid from it. Let it sit and see if there is a layer of water below the fuel. If there is than drain it daily until you find no more water.

 

[Thomas]

As other said clean tank also fuel line plus check/clean fuel container.

 

[Katahdin]

In my experience it's not rust but microbe growth. Rust will stick to a magnet. Treat tank with biocide and or/other diesel fuel cleaning/water remover additive. Drain water out of tank if you can.

 

[Seven Gables]

If it is a steel tank and actually rust I've used a telescoping pick up magnet, extend it out so the magnet is on bottom of tank and leave the handle resting in neck just under cap. Pull out and clean every time you fuel or more often to start, I've got one in a old pruning tower gas tank that's been there for years, B

 

[1acre]

Stop using the tractor or install a pressure guage until the problem is solved. Rust can't get past filter but when filter clog's,injector pump starve's for lubercation. Some but not all injectors also suffer when starved. A dash mount pressure guage tell's you before flow drop's below critical point.
Now,I have questions. What happened when filter stoppd up? How did you clean the filter (more accurately,what did you do thinking you were cleaning the filter)?

I held a water hose to it in reverse Then sprayed with WD40 and carb cleaner, let dry.

 

[1acre]

In my experience it's not rust but microbe growth. Rust will stick to a magnet. Treat tank with biocide and or/other diesel fuel cleaning/water remover additive. Drain water out of tank if you can.

I believe this was the issue. I cleaned and treated the tank and it seems fine now.