Water in diesel?

[patrick_g]

My understanding is a partial tank of fuel (either can or on tractor) will have a higher propensity to have water condense inside it than a tank that is full???

I don't know that to be true, just something I once read. If accurate then it might benefit you to try to keep your tank(s) as full as possible.

A partially full tank breathes with changes in temp and air pressure. The air going into the tank can carry moisture into the tank. Then at night or when cooler temps come the water condenses on the cool tank sides as dew (water) and this action repeats over and over so substantial quantities of water can end up inside your tank (storage tank, jerry cans, vehicle fuel tank, or ...

A full container has little or no room for moist air so the problem is reduced or eliminated. Over the long run it costs no more to have a full tank than an empty one and it not only protects against condensation (for free with no additives) but you are prepared in case you need the fuel.

Water and diesel fuel constitutes a breeding ground for some life forms that live at the interface between the fuel and water, especially in warmer temps (not so much in harsh winter temps.) Products such as Biobor are algicides and will inhibit that growth. If you get the "black plague" growing in your tank you will have enormous filter problems until you eradicate the algae. You can end up with fuel filters clogging in just a few minutes, change to a new filter and get it clogged in a few minutes (lather rinse repeat.)

Pat

 

[RalphVa]

I just ordered a Mr. Funnel. Ordered with 1 day delivery.

I tried my 26 year old Perma-Cool filter today to pump fuel (using a TSC hand pump I bought today) through it out of the tank and into an empty container. There's something wrong with it; I think, but I got the fuel out and through it.

I'm gonna take the 13 gallons of off road back to Exxon tomorrow. Hopefully, they'll let me pour it somewhere and refund my money. Then I'll buy 15 gallons of on road diesel like I've been using for 32 years with no problem.

Think the problem is the Exxon station's price on off road is only 4 cents/gallon less than on road. It's probably just not selling and has somehow gotten saturated with water.

Buying on road gives me some spare for the car if I need it.

Got 2 new filters from JD, too. I didn't change the filter one with one of these. Will do this tomorrow. I'll drain what little is left in the bottom of the tank through the filter area and use it for burning stuff.

Like I said: 32 years of driving diesel cars and NEVER any water problem. Only had the fuel filter plug on me ONCE, because I'd switched to B5 for about 3 tankfuls. Bio tends to clean crud out of the fuel tank, pretty well know phenomenon to bio users.

Ralph

 

[Egon]

Think the problem is the Exxon station's price on off road is only 4 cents/gallon less than on road. It's probably just not selling and has somehow gotten saturated with water.

Chances are you are very correct!

Over the years I've had water indications on the truck twice. Fortunately it was able to be drained off the filter with no noticeable side effects at the time.

Lift pump went out some time later??

Since then I always buy diesel at well used stops that sell a lot of fuel. No troubles since then.

The Kubota had a screen on the tank fill that stopped water. The John Deere Doesn't but has a clear sediment bowl and a bottom tank fuel drain.

Had the same type situation with gasoline many years ago when the car was filled as the Station Tank was being filled.

 

[LBrown59]

----
At only 4 cents a gallon less it's a wonder if they sell any.
What are they trying to pull is The sales tax only 4 cents a gallon in Va?
I pay 30 to 40 cents less a gallon in tax for off road .

Chances are you are very correct!

Think the problem is the Exxon station's price on off road is only 4 cents/gallon less than on road. It's probably just not selling and has somehow gotten saturated with water.
Ralph

 

[Trails2004]

/.....
I've had people tell me their red fuel gells easier. If that is the case it's only because of lack of treatment. Treat it and filter it and you'll have no issues.

That is pure baloney-- we run snowmobile trail grooming equipment that is stored outside, we run a 70/30 blend with power service-- If you set your tank properly and drain your water seperator occasionally you should not have any issues- unless your fuel distributor has a major malfunction.

FWIW, my fuel co. tells me they no longer treat any fuel. There is no winter blend anymore. It's up to the customer to treat it.

Sounds like this fuel company doesnt want your business ?? Go to the yellowpages

 

[LBrown59]

That is pure baloney-- we run snowmobile trail grooming equipment that is stored outside, we run a 70/30 blend with power service-- If you set your tank properly and drain your water seperator occasionally you should not have any issues- unless your fuel distributor has a major malfunction.



Sounds like this fuel company doesnt want your business ?? Go to the yellowpages

we run a 70/30 blend
70 what? /30 what?

 

[ModMech]

70 #1, 30% #2 (generally) although it could be the reverse if temps are above -30*F.

 

[RalphVa]

I ended up spending about 45 minutes this morning at the Exxon station to exchange the 3 containers of off road for on road diesel. They refunded my money and poured the off road stuff back in the tank. I bought some on road to fill the 3 containers. Took them home and drained off the last of the fuel through the fuel filter and replaced the filter and refilled the tank. (Would you believe that I forgot to use the Mr. Funnel that arrived this afternoon?)

Used the tractor for about an hour before it started acting like it was getting bits of water again. Doubt it's water now unless there was some hiding in the tank recesses. There doesn't seem to be any tiny puddle in the bottom of the bowl. Could it be the flexible lines to/from the fuel filter are collapsing after they get warm? I change the fuel filter by taking it loose from the tractor frame and rotate the assembly up about 90 degrees on the flex lines to get at the ring holding the fuel bowl/filter in place. Could this have damaged these lines after only 6 years? I nursed it back to the house at around 1500 rpm over about 3/4 mile. It shuddered maybe once on the way back but didn't die. It died just as I was pulling into the garage up the ramp. Restarted fine, and I drove it into the garage.

Anyone have any ideas?

Ralph

 

[Egon]

Did you get clean fuel??

 

[RalphVa]

Same fuel now that I've been using for 6 years in the tractor AND in the car. I go all across town to this Exxon station because it's the only one now with diesel. I get an employee discount of 10% off the non-taxed part, somewhere near 25 cents/gallon now.

Ralph