Deisel Fuel Contamination

[Beltzington]

Yesterday it started raining while I was RC our property and I noticed my eyes where starting to burn, long story short, I figured out my engine seemed to be blowing more black smoke than usual, not a lot, but I assume the heavy air was not letting it disperse like it usually would.

Engine oil, coolant, temp and sounds were normal so the low hanging fruit (according to trouble-shooting charts) would be bad fuel. I looked and it has been over two years since I purchased the 100-gallons I have been filling-up with but it is stored in a shed and pumped through a goldenrod filter. No water or sediments are visible in the fuel, I also added treatment when I first bought it.

Next step will be to put some new diesel in the tractor and see if it helps lessen the smoke. Is this wishful thinking or has anyone actually seen fuel cause this issue, also do I need to flush the 55-gallon barrels before putting new diesel back in? I still have 50-gallons left.

 

[sdef]

My tractor is filled from 5 gallon Justin and Eagle branded diesel cans that have been stored for 18 - 21 months (my limit) using Pri-D and Opti-Lube XPD, including fuel in the tractor tank as I use little these days. When pumping from the can into the tractor the fuel is filtered through this with never an issue: Amazon.com: Mr. Funnel AF15CB Fuel Filter: Automotive

I also store gasoline (non ethanol these days) for the same time period using Pri-G with no issues and use Mr. Funnels for filling gasoline equipment also. Same gasoline used for my 2 cycle Husqvarna equip., including a 562XP and 15 year old things with no issues. I do drain and burn out all of the fuel from the 2 cycle equipment when done but hit and miss with the JD lawn tractor at the end of the seasons and it has never complained.

On the other hand, 1K kerosene in heaters is far more temperamental and should be reasonably fresh.

At the end of my storage periods I fuel up the trucks with the old and replace with fresh in the cans. In the past I stored ethanol laced gasoline with no issues either.

 

[KWentling]

When was the last time you changed air and fuel filters? I used to think a dirty fuel filter wouldn't cause black smoke until I was looking for the cause of black smoke in a Miller welder with a Duetz diesel. Changing the air filter, which I thought was going to cure it made no difference, but a new fuel filter did.

 

[ruffdog]

Put some in a glass container. Is it clear or is it cloudy? Did you buy biodiesel like B5? It could have algae growing in it.......

 

[Beltzington]

I was out of town last week and not on the net.

The fuel is clear and no strange orders. I added a double dose of Power Service Diesel Kleen to the fuel when I put it into the barrels. How do you tell if there is algae in the fuel, would adding additional treatments "fix" the fuel or does mixing it with new fuel make the old diesel better or just ruin the new diesel?

I change air and fuel filters before the season started so I would rather not change any parts out until I can determine if the diesel is bad. Also, I have a diesel truck but I'm not wanting to try and burn the bad fuel in it either.

 

[Texasmark]

When was the last time you changed air and fuel filters? I used to think a dirty fuel filter wouldn't cause black smoke until I was looking for the cause of black smoke in a Miller welder with a Duetz diesel. Changing the air filter, which I thought was going to cure it made no difference, but a new fuel filter did.

Dirty air filter will do it as will dirt dobber nests clogging the air intake.

 

[nyone]

If you ran it through a goldenrod filter then i wouldnt think you have mad fuel. Buying a fresh 5 gal will tell you that.

 

[3930dave]

I was out of town last week and not on the net.

The fuel is clear and no strange orders. I added a double dose of Power Service Diesel Kleen to the fuel when I put it into the barrels. How do you tell if there is algae in the fuel, would adding additional treatments "fix" the fuel or does mixing it with new fuel make the old diesel better or just ruin the new diesel?

I change air and fuel filters before the season started so I would rather not change any parts out until I can determine if the diesel is bad. Also, I have a diesel truck but I'm not wanting to try and burn the bad fuel in it either.

2 years is often the outer limit (@ spec ratios) for common stabilizers. Went to see what PS rates their's at:

Diesel Kleen +Cetane Boost - Power Service

I'd like to be wrong, but from what I see there ^ , Diesel Kleen doesn't claim to stabilize fuel - they have a separate product listed (Fuel and Tank Cleaner) listed as a stablizer.

So yeah, with no other primary indicators, I'd drain the tractor tank and try fresh fuel. If that works, then I'd properly dispose of the old fuel, not worth burning in an engine.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

PS rates this product at 12 months.

Clear-Diesel Fuel & Tank Cleaner - Power Service

I've never used it, but it may help clean existing containers/tanks.

Rgds, D.

 

[radios1]

there must be something that really works good used on the twin 10,000 gal diesel tanks for missile silos and fallout shelters, I can't see that much fuel wasted, and it could be there until it's needed for the backup generators.. there must be some long term fix..