What creates "bad diesel" fuel ?

[ovrszd]

I'm 52 and have only heard of the bio diesel problem. Never heard of anyone having algae problem. Though I have known for years that there is such a problem out there somewhere. We have a gravity tank here. Dealt with stored fuel all my life. Even have my grandpa's tank from when he used to operate a road grader. Never had fuel problems. Never changed a filter because I had to, only because it was that time of year.

I had heard of algae many times. Only dealt with it once. It created a blackish snot looking gunk that would gather in the filter. Run the engine til it dies. Remove the filter and cut it apart and it's clogged full.

My Brother wouldn't accept that he had algae. Thought it was pump problem on the first tractor. Blamed coincidence on the second tractor. Only faced reality when his combine was sitting in the middle of the bean field, dead.

Dumped all his fuel. Bought cases of filters. Treated everything with biocide. Ran them thru a couple filters before everything settled down. Bad, bad situation.

Wasn't his fault though......

 

[Wobblin-Goblin]

We have a fair amount of tractors and equipment on our farm and most of them use diesel. We also have a 300 gallon bulk tank that we get off road/HHO from. When filled, we treat the tank and then fill everything from it. The pump has a water separator and a fuel filter plumbed into it, so the diesel that makes its way into our equipment should be fine. So far, no issues with anything. Also, the bulk tank is inside a barn, so it's out of the elements, which I'm sure helps.

 

[IndyJay]

I use off road fuel.I get it at 135 gallons at a time.
I run all fuel thru a Mr.Funnel and never have a problem but now I've said that I'm doomed.

Same here, 130 tank that I get filled from COOP for the last 20 years. Never had a problem. Of course I drain the filter to check for water occasionally (never see any), and I have a good filter coming out of tank.

 

[Smokeydog]

Bulk tank should be canted at a slight angle down opposite of fuel pickup tube. Water and crud collect at the low point. Valve at low point to drain and check for water. No water, no algae (slime mold). Rarely got water to filters. Slim lives in the interface of the two liquids. Vacuum/pressure vent reduces stored fuel condensation. Of the many tanks that have been given to me over the years from farms or heating oil all had a simple open hood rain vents. High humidity and temperature swings it can rain inside the tractor shed and shop.

I got a bad batch of bulk fuel or got a lot of problems after getting the tank refilled. Went back to 5 gallon cans and taxed fuel. Down time and maintenance defeat the cost savings of the 100-150 gallons used per year. Miss the pump though.

 

[Big Barn]

On the farm we had the bulk delivery driver add a jug of diesel fuel conditioner with each fill up. Done. Didn't have to think about it

 

[ovrszd]

We have a fair amount of tractors and equipment on our farm and most of them use diesel. We also have a 300 gallon bulk tank that we get off road/HHO from. When filled, we treat the tank and then fill everything from it. The pump has a water separator and a fuel filter plumbed into it, so the diesel that makes its way into our equipment should be fine. So far, no issues with anything. Also, the bulk tank is inside a barn, so it's out of the elements, which I'm sure helps.

Good post. I've read that having the tank inside helps mostly because it doesn't heat up/cool down twice a day from sunshine. The article claimed a shade over the tank would offer similar benefit.

 

[ovrszd]

Love the old Ford Terry!!!

 

[Big Barn]

Sadly gone, Richard.

No tractors , no trucks left in the yard


NONE ZERO NADA.

 

[PILOON]

Should also add that re filling at the end of the day will also help especially with a metal tank.

Also I always fill up thru a fine mesh funnel as that separates water from fuel, even so I add that 'squirt or 2; of power service.

Have U guessed that I've been caught once? Never again!

 

[Williy]

My Dodge 2003 diesel 4X4 Cummins 5.9
it sits for about 8 months 148,000 miles
I have never had any problems starting and
never have replaced the fuel filter also I
always use power service when ever I
fill the tank and I also have a 55 gallon
tank in the bed treated with power service
and haven't used any fuel from it in over
3 years and just started using it in my
tractor works just fine.

If your fuel ever jells remove cover from
filter add DE-GEL SUPREME

DE-GEL SUPREME

www.texasrefinery.com

willy