diesel fuel Additives

[Greg In Alabama]

While we are on the subject of fuel additives and water, I am totally new to the diesel thing and have a question or two about water in diesel but on a different scale. My father has a 50 gallon drum of off road diesel which was given to him but a local guy because he said water had gotten into the drum. Today we pumped out 5 gallons into a see through jug and there is about an inch of water at the bottom of the container. My question to that is, can I use the top portion of the fuel if I siphon it out of the container or should I just dispose of it?

 

[Soundguy]

does the drum have a low drain.. if so.. water will be at the bottom.

in any event. you can always pour off all the good diesel...

be carefull diesel with water int e bottom can grow biologicals.

i'd use a good filter and treat the diesel with a dispersant in my tank.. and a biocide in the drum.. etc..

 

[lostcreekranch]

We use the Power Services Diesel Supplement with Cetane and the Golden Rod diesel filters in our 300 gallon tank that get filled (250 gallons of red diesel) about every 8 months. Leave jug of the PS and the guy that fills the tank adds when he fills the tank so it gets well mixed. We change the GR filter every time tank gets filled. Never had any issues with water. Tank is vented with screen and fine filter in tank vent. For vent, vIsualize upside down p-trap.

Rick

 

[Greg In Alabama]

Lord knows that I am so ignorant to this whole diesel thing. Don't have a clue about the drum having a low drain and I sure don't now about dispersants or biocides. The fuel is in a plastic drum with a hand pump. Just got off the phone with my dad (94 years old and still drives a small tractor) and he said there is a second drum out there also suspected of containing water. So if I pour off the good diesel (which is very easy to see) which dispersant (brand name and amount) should I use in my tractor and which biocide should I put in the plastic drum? Is the biocide a liquid which I just pour in the drum or what should I do. As I said, I am totally new to the diesel thing but you guys have given me a world of knowledge in just two days. Saying that I appreciate it is a serious understatement.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Greg;

Get yourself a MR Filter (cheap on Amazon) and run any questionable fuel though it. It will filter out water and contaminates. Then add correct amount of Power Services (1 quart / 100 gallons) to your filtered fuel.

Good luck

Rick

 

[Greg In Alabama]

The MR filter, is it a drum filter that goes in line with the fuel hose or a funnel filter? I ask because I went to Amazon and searched for MR filter and found Mr. Funnel

 

[lostcreekranch]

Greg; The MR is a funnel type filter and very handy. Google "MR Filter". I found best price on Amazon. They have several sizes bases on GPM. I bought one that is 15 GPM and mostly use mine for gasoline but works for diesel also. I can send link if you like. On iPad now but, can send from laptop in the morning. Rick

Edit: for inline the Golden Rod filter is really good. You can get them at Tractor Supply.

 

[Greg In Alabama]

I found it on Amazon a couple minutes ago. I will get the one with the two filters in it. After I receive it, I will filter all the fuel through it into a good container and then add some power service to it. Do I use the Power Service "Fuel Supplement" or "Diesel Kleen"?

 

[lostcreekranch]

We use the diesel supplement with Cetane but you may want to look at Power Services site for more info.

http://www.powerservice.com/products/

Rick

 

[3930dave]

I think this is the funnel you guys are discussing:

Home

Good filter - I have one, and a buddy keeps one in his light plane, for remote airfields.

That said, with a known water contamination, I'll second what Soundguy mentioned - use a biocide as well. I think Power Service has an offering - any established Ag dealer (or heavy truck/equipment shop) should have biocide on the shelf. The stuff I bought was branded Case.

I vote biocide in addition to the basic additives because:

1) I'm a Belt+Suspenders kind of guy.

2) Good as it is, I'm not 100% convinced that Mr Funnel can take out all the tiny bacteria that can cause problems (algae growth - can plug filters quick).

3) ULSD (and even off-road diesel has been low or ultra-low sulphur for a while, in most areas) is even more prone to growing bugs with water contamination.

4) "Ounce of prevention vs. pound of cure". Biocide is not that much more money to use, vs. the PITA of cleaning a contaminated tank/fuel system.

Just my Canadian :2cents:, rounded up to a nickel.

Rgds, D.