Oil & Fuel Water in fuel

[jimoq]

Got unexpected dose of water in the fuel, engine stopped. Have cleared water from tank and filter. What are the best steps to restart the engine? Tractor is a Kubota, MX5000

 

[Wagtail]

1. Replace the fuel filter with a new one that has been filled with fresh diesel prior to installing it.

2. Try turning the engine over (starting it) a few times... your engine/fuel system may 'self prime'. If it does start, run it for a while. Expect it to expel white smoke and briefly lose power as it purges any excess water through the system.

3. Failing step 2 = consult your owners manual on the procedure for purging your fuel injectors. Ideally, this is a two person task... one to 'crack open/shut' the individual injectors whilst the other starts/stops the engine via the ignition. You'll still need to expect the white smoke/brief power loss once it's running.

4. Add a diesel biocide to your tank of fresh diesel IOT nip any nasties in the bud.

 

[Tx Jim]

Ditto on adding biocide to fuel tank. My neighbor just got his '15 M8560 back from dealer after getting algae cleaned out of fuel system. Tractor required 4 new injectors to the tune of $843 each for total bill over $7K. I'm sure glad my '11 M7040 doesn't have common rail inj pump/injectors as I had to drain water from fuel system last year. I installed biocide & have had no more problems. My M7040 is very easy to bleed air out of fuel system.

 

[MHarryE]

Had several water in fuel stoppages on my L5740 and even one on my M135GX. Always have just replaced filters. Started, and went on. The L6060 and M7-171 I now have are equipped with red rings that float on the water - in the initial screened bowl. I watch and empty as water pushes to the mark. My stoppages have all been due to water swelling the filter media blocking the fuel. Never any known system harm. A typical L5740 stop - roaring about 2 miles from home and engine died. Recognized problem right away, phoned wife to bring me a filter and shop towel. Turned shut off valve, removed filter, wiped bowl, installed new filter, opened valve, started engine, continued on. Water separators are 90% effective so some water gets through. No matter what people tell you, there is no such thing as water free diesel. Unlike low pressure gasoline engine systems, diesels have close tolerance high pressure pumps and injectors that do not like water. Therefore diesel manufacturers use water separators to block. Gas engine stuff gets by with additives to attach to the water molecules and carry them through without damage. Those same water molecules can damage diesel systems so they need to be blocked.

 

[PILOON]

I learned the hard way.
I now ALWAYS use a filter that repels water and also use an additive to prevent gelling.
Life is good.
I also have 2 filters with the first being a glass bowl type that I can purge and my 2nd is an inline paper particle filter unit.
I ALWAYS use an additive to prevent waxing even if I am reasonably sure that the fuel is winter fuel. Cheap insurance.

LOL, that's after a walk home, boosting and purging etc (+ bad words, LOL)= lesson learned.

 

[jimoq]

Thanks, guys! I got started back up with further water stripping, air bleeding, a new filter (now got one on the shelf) and a hot battery. Some advice being followed, the biocide, spare filter and looking for the water level marker for the separator.
Sorry for the delay in replying, been battling other demons.