VictorW
Veteran Member
Unfortunately no filter in the tank and just about anything like the wasp can make it to the lift pump. As mentioned, some members have put an in line filter after the tank and before the lift pump.
Loss of power, fuel starvation, I think
- Thread starter seacap04
- Start date
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JimR
Elite Member
I had some black crap in my tank which plugged up a fuel filter on me. I don't know if it came in the tractor when I bought it or was in a fuel can of fuel.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Likely neither. It was likely algae. Not green but black. Diesel bugs. They can start any time there is moisture in your fuel from condensation. Their food is the fuel itself, and they grow and multiply.
Recognizing diesel fuel algae
JimR
Elite Member
I wasn't aware of this, thanks for the info. My tractor has been fine ever since that happened.
k0ua
Epic Contributor
Maybe it was just some "crap" of some kind. Because usually when you get a case of "algae" it usually doesn't go away easily. Anyway keep on eye on it.
TnAndy
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2013
- Messages
- 1,993
- Location
- East Tennessee
- Tractor
- Yanmar LX410...IHI 35J excavator Woodmizer LT40
Same thing here, TWICE, on my Yanmar. Floats around in the tank, and eventually blocks the small hole coming out of the bottom of the tank.
When your fuel flow seems low, pull the line off the tank and physically check the amount of fuel coming out of the tank. Low ?.....push a skinny screwdriver, or something, up in the fitting and see if you don't get hosed with fuel. You found the problem.
First time, tank off and washed out. Pain to remove tank.
Second time....cheap Home Depot inspection camera, and a long set of 'grabber' tongs to remove the offending wasp in the tank.
NOW, every time I fill up the tractor, I bang the hose-from-tank nozzle upside down against the wall, because that is the only point of entry I can figure for these wasps. I don't drive around with the fuel cap off, and there is a 5 micron filter between the tank and hose....so they HAVE to be getting in the nozzle is my thinking.
TnAndy
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2013
- Messages
- 1,993
- Location
- East Tennessee
- Tractor
- Yanmar LX410...IHI 35J excavator Woodmizer LT40
Actually, they don't. My 40hp Yanmar has only about a 1/4" tank outlet, and wasp in tank blocks it well enough to cut fuel flow to near nothing.....not nothing, because enough will dribble down to fill up the filter bowl and let the tractor start again in a minute or two....only to die again unless the wasp floats off the fuel outlet.....then it floats back over again later.
It will drive you nuts, I'll tell you that. Have you changing fuel filters, solenoids, and so on, for one tiny critter.
ritcheyvs
Veteran Member
These "bugs" grow at the interface between the Diesel fuel and water at the bottom of he tank. And there will ALWAYS be some water at the bottom of the tank, thanks to temperature cycles and condensation. This is a bigger problem with boats, tractors, etc that tend to sit unused for extended periods. The solution is to use a biocide fuel additive, Amazon lists several. I have used Biobor successfully for several years.
